Opinion

Tinubu Is The Tea And Atiku The Coffee

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2022

APC Presidential Candidate Bola Ahmad Tinubu exchanging pleasantries with PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar

By Bala Ibrahim.

With the turn of events yesterday, where the Jagaba of Borgu, Chief Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged the presidential flag bearer of the APC, the choice for Nigerians on who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari next year, is most likely between Tinubu and Atiku. This is so because, the main opposition party, the PDP, had earlier chosen Atiku as its flag bearer. So the option for Nigerians is either to take tea or coffee, and Tinubu is the tea, while Atiku is the coffee.

Both tea and coffee are beverages that are derived from plants and consumed by people for a variety of reasons. While studies say some teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart diseases, certain coffees have tested good in the relieve of physical fatigue, as well as the increase in mental alertness. So depending on what remedy Nigerians want, the option for them is either to take tea or coffee, and Tinubu is the tea, while Atiku is the coffee.

Since the beginning of the fourth republic, history has proven me to be very bad at political predictions, because almost all the time, my political permutations tend to come in the opposite. Contrary to my prediction, Atiku emerged as the flag bearer of the PDP. All along, because of the excessive confidence and boldness being brandished by Governor Nwesom Wike of Rivers states, alongside the postulation put forward by the PDP on zoning, I thought their flag bearer would emerge from the south, more so when they elected a national chairman from the north. Because of naivety, I didn’t know that in politics, exigencies can outstrip emergencies.

Also, pursuant to the election of Atiku as the flag bearer of the PDP, yours truly confidently concluded that, for the APC to cash in on the sectional sentiments that may follow such scheming, it’s flag bearer must also come from the north. As such, I didn’t give Tinubu a high probability of success in the game plan. Because of naivety, I didn’t know that in politics, exigencies can outstrip emergencies.

With the new development, Nigerians on this flight, may now be compelled to either take tea or coffee, except, in the unlikely event of a sudden loss of pressure, where an oxygen mask may come down automatically from the compartment above, which has Kwankwaso as a substitute, with the NNPP brand or logo. If not, the option for them is either to take tea or coffee, and Tinubu is the tea, while Atiku is the coffee.

Until recently, I was an addict of coffee and coca cola, but on the advise of some friends and my doctor, after the manifestation of some adverse effects, I have been off the duo, at least in the public. But seldom, out of the glare of the public, and without the knowledge of my doctor, I indulge, or even overindulge in such wrongdoings.

I was almost halfway into writing this article when a new message entered. And because my devise is a low quality China phone, if I ignore messages for long, terrible consequences, including memory crashes, often follow. So I was quick to check and the message reads:

“Atiku vs Tinubu – dawn of developmental corruption.

I heard this term developmental corruption on Sunday at TerabKulture. It was a veteran and very brilliant investment banker who coined it.

It perfectly captures what we have already known about the political outlook of these two gladiators.

As I write, Mr Tinubu is on the verge of capturing the APC nomination after almost possibly crippling the treasury of a well-known State allegedly.

So, on Sunday, we were in a heated debate on a possible presidency of either of these two.

The general consensus was that these two have a liberal economic outlook. Understand the role of the private sector as a major engine for economic growth and would put policies in place that would encourage and drive sectorial initiatives.

But at what cost did I ask? The reply was that whatever they will ‘steal’ will be inconsequential to the amount of growth that we will witness.

To buttress their point, they talked about the Lagos State IGR, which has moved phenomenally as a result of a perfect understanding of the terrain.

They also mentioned that Akwa Ibom, my state, and a PDP bastion was also using the sane firm that was collecting IGR for Lagos and has also witnessed a huge spike in collections.

Lagos although not in good stead when compared with other such mega cities in the third world, still stands heads above all states of the federation on key indices as a result of the continuous application of liberal economic tendencies as a result of the Tinubu mystique

For Atiku, they told me that the last time we privatized any meaningful thing was during his tenure as constitutional head of the BPE.

Although most assets were sold off allegedly to cronies, the effect of the exercise in lessening Govt. burden and empowering the private sector and creating jobs is there for all to see.

The story of Intels and its mess was discussed, but its role in boosting government revenues through the NPA was also mentioned.

So according to them, if you juxtapose this with the 8 years of restrictive and incestuous economic policies which has led to a 600% devaluation of the Naira, historic job losses and a cataclysmic effect on the economy we may want to start begging for either a Tinubu or Atiku Presidency.

So now the question would be, do we turn a blind eye to the expected blind thievery and cronyism that would herald this dispensation cos of the attendant general economic benefit or do we say NO and say, it’s better for us to die poor than be economic slaves as a result.

A third leg is emerging in Peter Obi and Kola Abiola. Peter is saying the right things and has lived an exemplary life. But does he have the weight and muscle to defeat these two mercantile giants?

What must have been going through his mind as he watched the bare face monetary thuggery that went on at both conventions?

His appeal to our moral conscience sadly would not be enough to muscle down these two giants.

Kola Abiola’s intellectual morality is another possible third leg. Clinching the nominations of possibly the third largest party and positioning himself for any perceived fall out from intense politicking in the big two may just be a prayer waiting to be answered.

So as we await to crown Mr Tinubu and begin to prepare ourselves for an epic battle, let me just say that Nigerians have once again been sold a very terrible dummy.

We have once again pitted ourselves between two devils and will have to choose one as the lesser evil. Which one??”

And I add, choose between a tea and a coffee, where Tinubu is the tea and Atiku the coffee.

Bala Ibrahim is a Journalist and public affairs commentator

Related Topics:Bala Ibrahim Coffee Kano Nigeria Tea

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Opinion

The Fleetingness of Our Existence: The Death of Ajia Muhammad Kamil

Published

4 days ago

April 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

I had resumed to work on Monday 15th April, 2024 in Minna after Eid -L-Fitri celebration in Ilorin, when I received a call from one of my colleagues, who broke the news to me that Ajia Kamil had passed on. Innalillahi waina ilaihi rajiun.

The reality of death is scary as it will visit every soul in an unexpected time and manner. Ajia’s demise is a testament that death has nothing to do with age. He was a jolly good fellow. A straight forward young man. We joined National Examinations Council together in 2010.

If there’s anyone who reached out to me on issues concerning our organization I always referred them to Ajia at the Kwara state office in Ilorin.

He was very honest and would do his job diligently. Many of our staff attested to the fact that Ajia was an easy going person and hardworking

One remarkable thing about our relationship is that sometimes last year, he informed me of what he heard about me and upon telling him my own side of the story, he sincerely warned me to desist from any act that may jeopardize my integrity. I thanked him profusely, because he was very blunt with me. He would tell you the truth without looking at your face. That was the kind of human being he was. I never heard a report of him being in feud with anyone.

Another thing he did that I won’t let slip my mind in a hurry was when I missed promotion in 2023, the way he showed concern about it was overwhelming, loving and convincing. He was promoted but he would always call to admonish me not to brood over it. He was a finest gentleman.

The propensity of Ajia’s death hits us so hard, because we have never recorded any death amongst Ilorin Emirate NECO staff since 2010. May Allah forgive him and other departed souls within our organization and beyond.

The irony of death is, you may be forecasting and envisaging that you are still young while in the record of death you are old enough to be taken. That is the multidimensional mode of operation of death. I’m pretty sure that Ajia was not seeing death even in the next 30 years. Indeed, our existence on earth is fleeting.

As believers death will overtake us at the appointed time which is oblivion to our inclination and expectation. That is why we must do all we can to worship Allah, unite our family members and eschew bad deeds. I pray Allah forgives him, grant him aljannah firdaus and give his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

Opinion

Senate President Akpabio and Religious tolerance

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Senate President Godswill Akpabio

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

It is often said that one should not judge a book by its cover. You can only effectively describe a book after one might have gone through its content in what FR Leavis and Q.D Leavis referred to as the “beautifully woven fabrics of a text”

The Leavis are literary critics; they were husband and wife. Therefore,religious tolerance can’t be seen in abstract because it is a practical disposition. One can’t claim emphatically that he or she is religiously tolerant when his actions, transactions and interactions with neighbours, colleagues and friends are in conflict.

It is on this basis,I feel obliged and enticed to talk write about the recent religious tolerance exhibited by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio when he hosted both Muslims and Christians senators for Iftar on Monday,1st April,2024 in Abuja.As a leader you must work the talk.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Senate president opined that religion cannot divide us,”stressing that it was not a mere coincidence that the Christians Lenten and Muslim Ramadan periods came up again same time.He said despite the different religions, Muslims and Christians have one God.

Mr Akpabio congratulated his colleagues for breaking their fast with him and thanked the Almighty God for enabling them to witness the day alive.He sought for God’s protection and good health for all.

He explained that it was not a coincidence that God is merging the fasting of the Muslims and that of the Christian together.He stressed that it was not the first time the two faiths were observing their fasting the same time.

He stressed the need for them to continue to work together as brothers and sisters of the Almighty God, for the benefit of Nigeria.He asserted that for every human being there is a time to be born and there is a time to go.In his words ” no matter the turmoil,no matter the political disagreement,even families do disagree.But we must bear one thing in mind,that we are serving humanity through Almighty God and that one day,we shall leave this world to go and account for our deeds while we were on earth.I think that is the guiding principle.”

One may not be far from the truth if one opines that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was speaking like a clergyman through his admonition to co-senators that were present at the event.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin,thanked Senate President on behalf of other senators for inviting them for Iftar.According to him “we are really grateful.The invitation is a demonstration of the care that you have for all Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.We all know you as a very caring leader, someone who cares about the welfare of all Senators.”

He equally said the invitation has reinforced what they know about Senate President and linked it to Hausa adage that says”inviting you to come is more delicious than the food.”Senator Barau also said they were happy about the invitation, because it showed that the Senate president has them in mind.He prayed to Allah to continue to be their guide and support as they work with the Executive arm of government to face the challenges confronting the country.In his words “..we are going to change the challenges to prosperity”and that Nigeria would become a land of eldorado within a short time by the grace of God.

Religious tolerance is an integral part of National integration; no one can play down its benefit in the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria.So whenever I see a leader who have proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is religiously tolerant I appreciate the person,just like the way I’m doing it for the distinguished Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.Similarly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also demonstrated the significant level of religious tolerance by hosting series of Iftar with several religious, political and business community leaders in the country during the holy month of Ramadan.

Interestingly, religious tolerance contributes to robust inter-personal relationships in a pluralistic society like ours.It broadens the society for opportunity in order for a nation to actualize her dream.It also abrogates suspicion among adherents of different faith and promote love.This is why I can’t look away without writing something about what Senator Akpabio has done recently.Even as a Governor of Akwa Ibom State for eight years, Akpabio had never been in a news for religious intolerance.This is a greatest feat to his personality and it will continue to resonate across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

Significantly ,I was joyous when I saw my political principal, Senator Saliu Mustapha, the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate sitting by the right hand side of Senate President during the Iftar in Abuja.Senator Mustapha is a top-notch politician when it comes to religious tolerance.He is from Muslim majority Kwara Central Senatorial district, yet he appointed a Christian as a legislative Aide recently.It is obvious that like minds work together.

In conclusion,no Nation can strive where religious tolerance is relegated to the background, therefore we must as leaders and followers imbibe the culture of inclusivity and religious tolerance for a more United and prosperous country.

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com
07037813177

Opinion

The Cost of Incompetence in governance. A wake-up call to governors.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 4, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Auwal Saleh Lulu

In the intricate dance of governance, the appointment of key officials holds the power to shape destinies and professional service. However, when political expediency trumps competence, the consequences can be dire. This seems to be the case of many appointments for chief executive officers even for critical professional organisations in the Heath, media and educational sector in most states in Nigeria. This appointment of incompetence tenure, embodies a stark lesson in the perils of appointing leaders devoid of expertise and integrity.

Handling the reins of authority with little regard for meritocracy, lead to character flaws that quickly come to the fore.
Most of these kinds of appointments are characterised by Selfishness, total incompetence to handle or administer professional tasks assigned and driven a voracious greed for personal enrichment, the ill-suited for the weighty responsibilities entrusted turns vaque and rather than stewarding the organization with wisdom and vision, they mostly embarked on a reckless pursuit of quick riches, heedless of the long-term repercussions.

Compounding their incompetence was a glaring lack of proficiency in the field they are appointed to oversee. With scant knowledge of the subject matter, they stumbled through unknown duties, leaving chaos and disarray in his wake.
Most of the organizations where these kinds of appointments are done, are those meant to be a beacon of hope, progress and some even a fighting tool under the government’s auspices, languished under these kind of misguided leadership.

Despite mounting evidence of their ineptitude, with lust most governors remained oblivious and lost to love shadows for their appointees and to the havoc wrought by these kinds of ill-conceived appointments. While some are Blinded or blindfolded to the damages inflicted upon the organization and the broader community.
Oftentimes, most governors turned a blind eye to the signs of impending disaster. Ignoring all signs with complacency shields these kinds of appointments, either from accountability point of view, to subject proficiency and capabilities, prolonging the suffering of those affected by the illusions of their mismanagement.

Yet, time is a relentless arbiter of truth. As the days pass and these kinds of stoothed leadership’s failures become increasingly apparent, the veil of deception woven by political expediency, will inevitably fray.
There will be a time that it will be too late to reverse these kinds of damage wrought by their misplaced trust with a lot of repercussions
.
In the annals of governance, the cautionary tale of a selfish, impatient, and greedy leadership may serve as a poignant reminder of the imperative to uphold principles of meritocracy, professionalism, commitment and integrity in service.
For, in the absence of such virtues, the dreams of progress and prosperity risk being dashed upon the rocks of incompetence and folly.

Just because incompetence is elevated.