KANO-BASED politician, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, Friday joined other Nigerians in condemning the political crisis that has engulfed oil rich Rivers State.
In a statement made available to The Guardian, he enjoined well meaning Nigerians to stop the ugly trend in the interest of democracy. Alleging that the crisis could not have assumed a dangerous dimension without the tacit support of President Goodluck Jonathan, he urged perpetrators of the dastardly act to beat a retreat for peace to reign.
"What is happening in Rivers State is clearly very dangerous, not only to the lives of Governor Amaechi, may be even his family and others, but to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. One wonders where else, from Bayelsa and Rivers? Will Jigawa, Sokoto, Oyo, Adamawa and Edo be next? This dangerous trend must be stopped immediately.
"The President must know that he is treading on a very dangerous course, and he needs to be advised for his own sake. President Jonathan may be a good man at heart, but he seems to be a very week leader who just does what some hirelings close to him ask him to do or, maybe, even do without his consent, but cannot say or do anything to call them to order.
"There must be a few people around who must summon the courage to tell him the truth, one of which is that the day will surely come when he will no longer be the President, in just a few years time, and the law with then catch up with him.
"We have seen many much more powerful world leaders who are now in prison over issues of murder of opponents, corruption and human rights abuses. We do not want to see any of our past leaders in the dock, either here at home or in The Haque for any reason.
"I used to think, and even said it publically, that President Jonathan, may be anything but a dictator or an evil man, seeing the criticisms and, sometimes even the rubbish being thrown at him, without him responding angrily. I myself have criticized him a few times, hoping he will take heed, and hopefully he does. Patience (not Madam Patience) is one character a democratic leader must have and must treasure. Unfortunately, I think he is loosing it!
"If for whatever reason someone dies in Rivers State as a result of this unfortunate fracas, the President cannot escape liability, even if it is vicarious. We witnessed what happened to the former Governor of Bayelsa, H. E. Mr. Sylva Timipre, out of this personal vandetta; and we have seen what happened at the Nigerian Governors Forum, just to project self interest. Most people blame the President and the first lady for fermenting these rather unpresidential behaviours.
"The President must begin to act as the President, above these fetish things, and do away with visiting vengeance or calamity on those he was told that do not support him. He may have enemies even in his own house, and he has to find a wiser way of dealing with situations like that. All these are negatives in the personal and political records of President Jonathan, and many people will take them into account while considering whether they will support him in the future or not.
"Another dangerous aspect to these unwise interferences and fighting perceived enemies, is their eventual effect on our young democracy. Forget about the President's records, or whether he will end up in a certain court of law somewhere. What if he drags us and this democracy into the abyss out of which we cannot escape? The harm to this country, it's peace, progress and prosperity will all be jeopardized. That may even be the beginning of the end for this country, as there are some enemies of the state who will use this as an opportunity to cause more trouble.
"Please, Mr. President recollect yourself, be strong and be the leader that we all expect you to be. Trivialities and vengeance are not the food of leaders, but that of fools," Tofa said.
The Guardian
Democracy shouldn't be in danger no matter what cos it would ruin a lot of things in Nigeria. We have to protect it by all means....