Possible implication of Dr. Hadiza’s Choice as El Rufai’s running mate.

Unsurprisingly, the choice of Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as running mate to El-Rufai comes with a varied of reaction. Kaduna has had a long history of ethnic and religious crisis. 1987, 1992, 2000 and 2011 were identified as the thresholds for massive crisis in the state by the Kaduna peace committee report chaired by Gen. (rtd) Martin Luther Agwai CFR. Since the 2000 Sharia crisis, there was relative peace before crisis broke out after the 2011 general elections, and since then the crisis has taken different shapes of kidnaping, farmers/herders’ crisis and targeted attacks on communities. The river Kaduna appears to be the significant landmark that divides the state into a Christian dominated south and a Muslim dominated north. Sadly, this division has was further stretched after the 2011 and 2015 general elections.

But as earlier mentioned, the division did not start in 2011. With the return to democracy in 1999, there was some sort of practice that shaped candidate’s choice of running mate. Candidates from one location or religion will always choose running mates from the other location or religion. Not only for election and seeking of votes but also inclusion. This recognized ethnic and religious diversity of the state was a means of proving to one side of the divide that we are together.

With the decision of the current deputy governor to run for senate to represent the southern part of Kaduna, an expected decision would have been a like for like. But El Rufai seems to be a reform minded man that dares change the status quo.

The narrative that ‘the Christian dominated south does not support the governor’ may not necessarily be correct. It will be helpful to note two reasons I strongly believe supported the emergence of El Rufai as the governor of the state; one was the Buhari effect that was felt in most states in the north; the other is that the then incumbent (Ramalan Yero) never gave electorates a good reason to vote for him. El Rufai had southern Kaduna support even before coming into office, significant LGAs where El Rufai won in 2015 include Chikun, Kaduna South, Kagarko, Kajuru and Sanga.

Dr. Hadiza comes with a track record of experience and competence some of which is demonstrated in the upgrade of the Primary Health Centers across the states. She becomes the first female to be nominated for the position since the return of democracy. This shows lot of improvements on gender and social inclusion. On the bright side, the choice of Dr. Hadiza will further support the reform mindset of including youths and women in the El Rufai’s government. Based on her LGA, it will mean El Rufai has continued with the practice of choosing a running mate from the other part of river Kaduna.

On a not so bright side, more important than location, religion plays a more pivotal role in determining ones geography in the state. Though Dr. Hadiza hails from Sanga LGA in Southern Kaduna, the religious divide does not help. Before now, there existed some perceptions on the ‘governor’s marginalization of Christians in the state’. This perception has been given some enforcement by certain decisions of the state government notable among which are: the closure of all higher institutions in southern Kaduna for over 9 months even after security was seen to have improved; The recent decision or request to change nomenclature of traditional rulers in southern Kaduna from chiefdoms to emirates; a statement attributed to the governor saying the population of Kaduna is 70% Muslim and 30% Christian which was widely condemned by CAN stating how such utterance can further divide the state among religious lines.

The handling of the recent crisis in Kaduna, the kidnapped and subsequent murder of the Agom Adara. While a lot of persons outside of Kaduna appreciate the responsiveness of the governor, the Southern residents did not feel that governor did enough to rescue the Agom. I know that there are pessimists who will always find faults in actions, the address by the governor threatening to demolish a part of the state only added salt to injury. If you understand the divide in Kaduna, you will know why Muslims are afraid of Gonin Gora, Sabo and Television and you know why Christians are afraid of Mararaban Jos, Tudun Wada and Rigasa. A threat to demolish other hot spot locations along with Gonin Gora would have been perceived as more balanced.  

While I personally feel Dr. Hadiza is competent and ‘equal to the task’, there is a huge part on inclusiveness that will be lost with her as El Rufai running mate. While the decision is daring, it doesn't help the fragile relationship currently in the state. An important role inclusiveness plays after getting thumb print on the ballot is that reassurance that a people's concerns are heard or there is someone there to understand or listen.

If El Rufai is reelected, it will be the first time in the history of Kaduna state that we will have same religion as both governor and deputy. This is something enjoyed in the west because culture and geography outweigh religion. It is important to state here that I have spent the greater part of my life in Kaduna and have experienced crisis and lost friends and loved ones. I wish we could return to that era where everyone was free to leave anywhere and interact with anyone in the state. Conscious efforts may need to be put in place to rewrite the marginalization narrative among the Christian southerners and entire Kaduna. Leaders need to be voted based on character and competence and not based solely on religion.

Bijimi Daniel Meindous.

THE JOURNEY PARTNER

On a long journey to the other side

We sail against the tide

In each other we confide

The journey process we shall abide

The tide was in our favour

Easier became the work of the sailor

Admiration we got from a neighbour

Who volunteer to do us menial labour

It was a partnership to cherish

With a good environment to flourish

Little did I know it will perish

Despite the intervention from the Irish

The once relished partnership now filled with discord

What happened? I cried oh Lord.

The distraction from my journey I cannot afford

It kills the future faster than a double edge sword

I am on board with a new ship

Arriving my destination, yes I enjoyed the trip

All thanks to the decision to flip

I did not lose focus neither did I slip

Bijimi Daniel Meindous

AS WE LAY OUR HEADS TO REST

As we retire for the day

The work of the day we have accomplished

The god of the harvest had smiled on us

Fruits of many kind filled our barns

As we await a new journey of the earth around the sun

Planning to begin another farming season

The enemy lay their hands on weapons

Planning another killing season

As we lay our heads to rest

Looking forward to the cockcrow

It was the cock of the gun that rolled

And the rest we seek now turns to distress

As our heads are now laid in the grave

The hailers and wailers shoot blames at each other

As we lay far away from home and closer to our home

May the rains wash away our pain.

Bijimi Daniel Meindous

THE GARMENT THAT FITS

The garment that fits who can find it

It gently covers the wearers nakedness

And generously provide protection from unfavourable weather

Draws admires eyes and trigger their complements

The garment that fits, who can find it

The first garment caught my eye as it hanged on the wall with splendour

My friends will admire me in such a garment

But the splendour could not go beyond the garment surface

The garment that fits, who can find it

The seller rushed campaigning to sell the second garment

Displaying the wonderful functions of the garment

But I could not wear it, the garment was too tight

The garment that fits who can find it

A tailor surely will make my fit

The tape guided his work and at last I have a third garment that fit

Feels good wearing it, but washing has quickly faded it

The garment that fits, who can find it

A fourth garment was placed in front of me like others before it

It fits my body with little efforts

Accommodating my round stomach and brief height

The garment that fits who can find it

Surely the tailor had me in mind when the fourth garment was made

It is so comforting that it can be worn anywhere and every where

It provides a sense of feeling that I take pride in

The garment that fits who can find it

The garment has seen the bottom of my bucket and the rough edges of my drying rope

It has refused to fade despite the frequent washing and drying

The garment that fits, I have found it.

Bijimi Daniel Meindous

Blog spot: dmeindous.blogspot.com

Twitter: @Dmeindous 

THE MIDDLE WAY/PATH BETWEEN THE "HAILERS" AND THE "WAILERS"

Buddhism presents us with the middle way or the middle path hinge on the basic principles of finding a mid-point between denying one’s desires and indulging them. The Buddha elaborates the middle way to be much more than moderation or a compromise. “Shakyamuni’s life exemplifies a basic interpretation of the Middle Way as the path between two extremes, whereby every virtue is a means between two extremes, each of which is a vice.”

As a born prince, Shakyamuni base on Marxist contexts was a bourgeoisie who enjoyed every physical comfort and pleasure. “However, dissatisfied with the pursuit of fleeting pleasures, he set out in search of a deeper, more enduring truth. He entered a period of extreme ascetic practice, depriving himself of food and sleep, bringing himself to the verge of physical collapse. Sensing the futility of this path, however, he began meditating with the profound determination to realize the truth of human existence, which had eluded him as much in a life of asceticism as it had in a life of luxury. It was then, in his rejection of both self-mortification and self-indulgence that Shakyamuni awakened to the true nature of life—its eternity, its deep wellspring of unbounded vitality and wisdom.”

The basic principles of the middle way are

• ·   Extreme views are expressions of greed and hatred.
• ·   Extreme views do not reflect the truth very well because the truth is obscured by that greed and hatred.
• ·  Following the Middle Way thus means trying to avoid getting caught up in that greed and hatred, but examining the truth of the matter carefully.
• ·  Usually (but not always) a calm examination of the issues without any prior assumptions will find truth and falsity on both sides, and the truth lying somewhere in between.
• ·  The Middle Way is thus not necessarily an in-between position, but this is often the outcome

Just like the attribute of extreme views of greed and hatred, relevant literature and discussions have suggested that the most populous black nation on earth has long been divided along extremes lines of religious believes, ethnic affiliation, social class, political ideologies and most recently APC or PDP or better put hailers and wailers. 

While the hailers sing praise of the achievement recorded so far by the APC lead government in the last two years and condemning the sixteen years of the PDP lead government, the wailers do the opposite by counting the list of broken promises by the APC in the last two years and counting the PDP achievement of 16 years. The middle path which frowns at extremism does not agree that Nigerian should be subjected to either sixteen years of mismanagement or two years of broken promises by both the PDP and APC lead government.

While the hailers will loud their voice at the capture of Boko Haram terrorist or the release of the Chibok girls, they tend to unaware of recent attacks on University of Maiduguri or the violent conflict between farmers and herdsmen in some states of the country. The wailers are quick to announce the misfortune surrounding a terrorist attack and keep mute on any progress or achievement towards eradicating the terrorist. The middle path which holds that extreme views do not reflect the truth very well because the truth is obscured by that greed and hatred keeps at open eye and an open mind when there is a misfortune and when there is an achievement.

Due to the tenacity of most Nigerians to pitch their tents and mount their support base on ethnic affiliations, religious belief and political ideologies, the quest for ensuring good governance becomes a mirage and the struggle to bring about a people centered democracy becomes a herculean task. Our loyalty and support to an individual or political party has made us blind to the fault of not ensuring they do well in government, we dance to celebrate “our politicians” even when no music is playing, we shout to condemn “their politicians” even when there is nothing to condemn. Our practice of opposition to a sitting government has only made us bigots and subjective in many ways.

As a believer in the middle way, I belief that Nigerians deserve more than the sixteen wasted years of PDP or the two years of broken promises by the APC led government. I belief in the commitment to upholding respect for the dignity of life, core values and placing it before adherence to a political or economic ideology. We need to hail and wail where and when it is necessary based on issues irrespective of individual or political party. We need to get to a level where we can wail based on ill though and unpopular policies or actions with no traction to the well-being of every man implemented by individual or party even if we are family to the individual or members of that party. We need to hail achievements and progress made by individuals and party, even when we are not members of that party. Loyalty or opposition should not blind us and subject us to praise singers or fault finders, the middle way should make us objective and balance in our contribution to national development.

Bijimi Daniel Meindous

Twitter Handel: @Dmeindous

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI: HIGH HOPES, POOR RESULT

At no point has the title of the article written by Nasir ElRufai in 2009 “Umaru Yar`dua: Great Expectation, Disappointing Outcome” made more sense to me than in the current dispensation of President Muhammadu Buhari. With the hopes and promises that heralded the swearing in of the current administration in May 2015, one is left to wonder if in our desire/desperation for a better Nigeria we mistook guava for apples and in our efforts to better the most populous black Nation on earth, we forced in square peg in round hole.

Yes it is barely two years since the swearing in of this government but as El Rufai rightfully quoted in his article of 2009 a prevalent saying amongst Hausa speakers of Northern Nigeria, which roughly translated means: “You know that an enjoyable weekend is round the corner when things begin to look good by Wednesday, (otherwise, forget the weekend, or just pray).” Barely two years in office and an average Kano man can only afford “shayin Buhari” (which has little quantity of hot water with little sugar, lipton and half bread); barely two years in office and there is a geometric progression in the prices of goods and services in the market; barely two years in office and the economy is in recession; barely two years into office and inflation has hit it highest rate in the country; barely two years in office and Nigerians cannot afford to travel for Christmas holidays; barely two years in office and people cannot afford the common things they used to enjoy.

Why is it that Nigerian politicians waste the first two years, only to become desperate in the third year to prepare for an election in the fourth year? Sadly, with the “body language” of Mr. President there seems to be little indications that we will see desperation in 2018 in a quest for reelection the coming year. This does not go to say that the current government has not made some progress towards the betterment of the Nigerian populace. Anyone who has stayed or visited some northern part of the country in the last five years must appreciate and drop their caps for this administration for their efforts towards ensuring the safety of lives and property by combating the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

The war against corruption which has recorded significant success is one which is being fought by the current administration and greatly applauded by many Nigerians, but with the recent happenings ranging from the refusal of the Senate to confirm the Acting EFCC chairman and the clearing of some kitchen cabinet members of the presidency off corruption, the fight against corruption has created more questions than answers on the lips of many Nigerians on the street. One is left to wonder if being close to the presidency, or being a member of the ruling political party or defecting from an opposition party to the ruling party is like a river Jordan baptism that exonerates anyone (corrupt or not) from sin.   

Every ‘well-meaning citizen’ will want his/her country to be on the path of prosperity and progress irrespective of who is at the helm of affairs and what perception they have of the number one citizen. Nevertheless, Nigerians are not wrong to expect so much from this government mainly because they were promised this much by the sitting government and the ineptitude of the past administration was greatly showcased and flagged at every given opportunity. No doubt, as compared to resource base a few years back, there is currently a fall in the oil price. Also, past administrations have in many instances failed to do the right thing and has been unable to plan better for the Nigerian populace. It is also not news that past administrations have had government officials looting funds and diverting government property. But this is the main reason why this government is in power in the first place, am sure if Nigerians were not tired of complaining about the past government, they would have still voted them to remain in power. Against advice received from elder citizens who witnessed Nigeria as at 1980s, Nigerians placed their hope in the wisdom of an elder statesman whom we believed had the integrity and good will to effect the desired change, but in reality as righty said by Prof Farook Kperogi "Perhaps Buhari never had any integrity to start with. It was our desperation for a hero that caused us to dress him in borrowed robes”

Just as El Rufai concluded his article in 2009, it is important to reiterate that every Nigerian hopes the Buhari government will start delivering on their campaign promises which every society is entitled to, and what Buhari promised in his Inaugural Address saying he “belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody”. But the strength of the hope dwindles with each passing day. As Nigerians, we must raise our voices to demand for these commitments, and pray for our leaders to appreciate that they are in office to solve societal problems - not just to make a few friends, relations and cronies better off. It is our duty to remind President Buhari of these constantly and require him to live up to his promises. Those that remain silent in the current situations are betraying the Nigerian nation and even Buhari himself. It is only because we care that we take risks. It is because we love that we sacrifice. Let us all care for and crave a better future for our children by insisting on better governance and management of our affairs. We are entitled to nothing less.

As we approach two years that witness for the first time in Nigeria, the decision of the electorates to vote out a sitting government and elect a man with integrity that will take Nigeria and Nigerians pass the red sea of corruption, insecurity, poverty, economic downturn into the promise land following with citizens participation in governance, sound education, security and safety of lives and property, and a thriving and functional economy. A lot is still left to be desired.

Bijimi Daniel Meindous

Twitter Handle: @Dmeindous

dmeindoius@gmail.com 

BIG AUNTY'S OFFER TO LITTLE JONNY

The offer is inviting

The appearance irresistible

The nutritional values immeasurable

Many children will run for it

Big aunty prepared it for little Jonny

She finds delight in the young lad

He has potentials to grow and glow

In him she sees a leader of generations

Hungry little Jonny stands there

Big aunty generous offer before him

With confusing facial expression

Am not hungry says little Jonny

Is he really not hungry she wonders?

Big aunty makes a second offer

Little Jonny with a frown says no

Accepting his stand big aunty gives up

Big aunty returned to her chores

The attractive offer refrigerated

Little Jonny now hungrier makes advances

Requesting now for the offer

Little Jonny causes big aunty more stress

She will need to warm the offer now

She hates the time and efforts wasted

The frustration of a genuine offer

By

Bijimi Daniel Meindous

Blog Spot. dmeindous.blogspot.com

Twitter Handel: @Dmeindous