Salisu Suleiman

February 12, 2010 12:03AMT


In the history of political ascensions, not many have been as dramatic as that of Goodluck Jonathan. In ten spectacular years, the man has moved from an Assistant Director in an obscure government agency to the Presidency - the pursuit of which many have devoted their lives and extensive social and political capital backed by huge financial resources to achieve - without getting even marginally close to the gates of the Villa. Either by fate or design, Nigeria, invariably is shifting towards a Jonathan Presidency.

If President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua is conscious wherever he may be, his refusal to hand over power according to the laws of the land as enshrined in the Constitution is a fundamental breach of his rule of law mantra, assuming that he ever understood what it meant. The other, more likely scenario is that the President is so debilitated by illness that he is hardly conscious of the events going on around him. That may explain why in over 80 days on admission, no video footage or even a photograph of the President has been released to the media. It is possible that any image of the President in his current stage would raise more questions than answers.

To have spent nearly three months in the one of the most sophisticated medical facilities in the world without any positive impact tells the entire story more eloquently than any medical report ever could. So we must prepare to move forward. And the only way we can move forward is to have a say in who eventually becomes Vice President of the Republic under President Jonathan. This is not by any means saying Jonathan is the best man for the job, but the Constitution must be respected. The least we can do is to ensure that Yar’Adua’s kitchen cabinet does not ram another ineffectual candidate down our throats.

In a different country, it would have been natural for Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to step up the ladder and bring his golden touch to the national scene. In terms of ideals, ideas and even youthfulness, Fashola meets all the criteria needed to shore up Jonathan. But because we have elected to sacrifice merit on the altar of regional and ethnic balance, Fashola cannot be elevated to the Vice Presidency.

And neither can any Nigerian of southern extraction, no matter his credentials and records of achievement. By default therefore, the emerging vacancy for the position of the Vice President will be filled by someone from the North.

So what are the qualities that the new VP must possess? He must be of the right age. The era of political dinosaurs is gone. We must end the gerontocracy that has held the political reins of power since independence. The time for younger generation of leaders has come. But more important than age is performance in office. The candidate must also be reform minded. What stands for Fashola today is the level of energy, reforms and creativity he has brought to governance, and the results are clear for everyone to see. To some, he may barely be above average, but because other governors are more concerned about looting, he has become an icon.

The candidate for VP should have administrative experience at the federal or state level. Thus, serving and former governors, and ministers would be ideal. Unfortunately, none of the current governors or minister stands out for possible elevation to the Vice Presidency. None of the names that have come up so far has the kind of exposure and zest required to reform the system, so we may be forced to look at the past administrations. In picking out a governor with record of service, ex Bauchi State Governor Ahmed Muazu would be an outstanding choice. If a minister is to be nominated, the clear choice would be former FCT Minister Nasir el-Rufai. In picking out someone familiar with law enforcement, Nuhu Ribadu is it.

I have never met any of these gentlemen. There is also no suggestion that any of them is perfect, just as there are many other people from the north who have equally strong credentials.

But we must accept that Muazu transformed Bauchi State with infrastructure that is unmatched in the entire north. El-Rufai brought law and order (and fresh air) to what was fast becoming the world’s costliest slum. Ribadu took the anti-corruption crusade to hitherto untouchables. Just look at today’s EFCC, Bauchi State and the FCT, respectively to appreciate what they achieved.

No matter what our opinions of these three are, things could be far worse. Just consider a Vice President Tanimu Kurfi, Abba Ruma or Sarki Mukhtar. Or Turai Yar’Adua.

Source: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Opinion/5525441-182/forensic_force_vacancy_for_vice_president.csp