– By Comrade Opeyemi Ahmad
Now that Saraki the “bad boy” of Nigeria politics has defeated his foes, what comes next? Of course, this would be the most relevant question at this moment for all relevant Kwarans. I’m conscious of disappointment of many people at the result of the trial and I’m not bothered by it. I’m only bothered about how we can make this nation work for all and sundry. And now that it’s becoming more obvious that our destiny as a state(Kwara) has become inextricably tied with the doings and misdoings of Saraki, how do we get out of our mess?
In simple terms, Saraki’s travail from the beginning was a mere political persecution, a cockeyed reprisal against him for brilliantly out shining the big guns who wish to advance their interest, over the nation, at all cost. And doesn’t it ill-befit us to crucify a man for a sin for which we have no evidence against him, we only have the evidence of prosecution yet we issued the verdict! Saraki said it, Tinubu later verified! And now we can all see through the charade. It’s not a time for telling stories, however.
We live in a world that doesn’t favour the weak a great deal. Life feels bitter contempt for those who are indecisive. Should a man wish to achieve a thing, the main purpose of such thing should be to own it. In the corridor of power, Saraki seems to understand this more than anyone else. This is what called for the Machiavellian politics that played out in his emergence as Senate President. After all, all politicians play it. No need to cry foul when one of them outsmart them. To corroborate my point, within the next few months, the APC led government will embark on a robust reunion assignment of the big men,Saraki included ; there again, masses who refuse to see beyond their nose will be disappointed. The first sign before you is that the current reckoning of Dino Melaye will not trascend the poll. There he shall remain till the end of this tenure. Watch out. Then I proceed.
Take a look at the 8th National Assembly, compare with the past rubber stamp Assembly which hosted a great deal of speechifying and grandstanding, then strike a balance. Under his leadership, whether you are loving him or hating, the 8th Assembly remains the most talked about Assembly in the Nigerian history. Saraki has brought much popularity to the National Assembly not just by the coincidence of his emergence but also by some deliberate exertments from him as a tactical and sophisticated leader, thereby engendering civic engagement, unlike before.
I want to talk about many good things worthy of notice about him. Whether you consider them virtuous or vicious, they all make him more worthy of special privilege. From the power play he showed as a man under a cloud during the onset of his trial, every stride was well calculated. If he had not bring so shrewd in his dealings, justice might have taken a wrong dimension. I say this is a plus to him, imagine if any arm of government should try to frustrate him as an executive president? This is the bottom line.
Saraki has breathed life into this National Assembly, particularly the Senate which he chair. For the first time, our national budget become a thing of heated debate in the public. NASS budget became a public thing, to boot. Bills, long left in oblivion did not only made it to public again, they passed into law, notably the two phenomenally important PIGB and anti-corruption bill. Simply put, accountability, prosperity, working with dignity, citizen inputs to legislation procedures, wide civic engagement are becoming other of the day. It goes on until social media, unbiased, applauded him for the transparency he brought to the house.
Saraki, yes, is still a bad man, a corrupt politicians, right? He looted our money? OK, I agree! But how many times have the good men fail? In his fourth Republic, our first good man died of ailment while on the rule, our second good man’s whereabout is presently a riddle! All good men are failing us where the bad man is moving Nigeria faster to keep pace with the world. His journey to Germany is still fresh in our memory.
The bottom line of this piece is that: since the good men have undeniably failed us, why can’t we try a bad man with the expertise to get us there?
Next time, we can talk of his philanthropy activities and many development projects across his constituency. Most of our problem, you will agree, is due to lack of information. Stay tuned.
Comrade Opeyemi Ahmad is a Public Affair Analyst based in Abuja.
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