The following article, written by Prof Professor Kayode Oyediran, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan was published by Mr Dele Momodu in his column under the title "IN SEARCH OF DISCIPLES", in THISDAY last Saturday.
Looks like a prelude to a few opinions that will be
shared with some awoists without awoism if and whenever the Nigerian elections
are eventually done with.
Prof Oyediran’s article is good for all times
and it is excerpted from Dele Momodu’s page.
IN SEARCH OF DISCIPLES
by
Kayode Oyediran
by
Kayode Oyediran
Four recent publications in several national dailies
illustrate various dimensions of discipleship which has become a topical concept
not only in Nigeria but globally. They are: “The chance of prosperity versus
poverty of austerity” by Bola Ahmed Tinubu; “PMS pump price reduction and the
economy: My take-away” by Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN; “Buhari vs Jonathan:
Beyond the election” by Charles Chukwuma Soludo; and “Buhari has not satisfied
the constitution – Adebanjo” being an interview of Chief Ayo Adebanjo. These
publications addressed several current national issues, and gave insight into
the perceptions, priorities and prejudices of the respective authors, and
illustrated the various manifestations of discipleship.
Tinubu’s article is a well-researched critique of
the macro-economic policy of the Federal government, and a spirited
articulation of his preferred strategy for the creation of wealth and jobs.
| Fashola similarly presented a constructive critique of the government’s policy on the price of fuel. Soludo critically reviewed the economic policies of the Jonathan government as well as the proposed policy of the opposition party, APC. | ||||
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the views expressed in the three
articles, it cannot be denied that each addressed issues, and articulated
researched, reasoned, balanced arguments; they criticized extant policy and
practice, and presented alternatives. To that extent they were in the tradition
of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Indeed in his article Soludo
acknowledged this hallmark of the sage.
In his interview Chief Adebanjo declared his
preference for President Jonathan and his aversion to General Buhari’s
candidature in the imminent presidential elections; he admonished the people of
the South-West to support Jonathan in order to avoid “making a big mistake and
digging their own graves”; he emphasized that his position was based on
“principles”; he explained that, because he and his colleagues in their faction
of Afenifere are “strictly Awolowo’s disciples”, they do not “modify Awo’s
principles for our(their) own interest”. He did not elaborate on the
“principles”.
Chief Adebanjo’s choice of candidate – indeed the
choice of any Nigerian – cannot and should not be questioned, and he need not
proffer any reason for it. However if, as in this case, he decides to give
reasons for his choice, it is legitimate to examine the reasons proffered.
Therefore I wish to comment on four of the reasons presented by Chief Adebanjo
namely: implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 national conference,
the character of General Buhari, the qualifications of Buhari, and the
suitability of Professor Osinbajo as Vice-Presidential candidate.
Chief Adebanjo stated that he is supporting Jonathan
“because he is the only man who can implement the recommendations of the
national conference which was set-up to bring equity to Yoruba land and
Nigeria”. He asserted that the conference produced the panacea for Nigeria’s
problems, and “—that is why I am insisting that all the recommendations of the
confab should be implemented before the elections because the inequality this
country has been suffering all this while has been rectified with the
recommendations of the confab. All the things that could cause us conflicts
have been rectified.” It is rather simplistic to suggest that, by itself, the
recommendations of the 2014 conference – or any other conference for that
matter – constitute a magic wand to sweep away all the problems of Nigeria. It
is also internally inconsistent to insist that the recommendations of the
conference must be implemented before the elections and simultaneously affirm
that Jonathan, who is yet to submit the conference report to the National
Assembly six months after it was presented to him, is the only man who can
implement the recommendations. Could it be that those who described the
conference as diversionary are correct? Could it be a repeat of a similar
exercise during the second term of President Obasanjo?
Chief Adebanjo asserted that “as a NADECO man” he
cannot support a former military dictator like Buhari. He described Buhari as a
“fundamentalist” whose tenure as the boss of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) was
tainted with corruption. I share Chief Adebanjo’s aversion for military
dictatorship. However it is possible for a Saul to become a Paul. Buhari’s
track record during the current political dispensation demonstrates that he
believes in and submits to democracy and the rule of law. Furthermore Obasanjo
was a military dictator who became President in a civilian democratic
dispensation. His re-election in 2003 for a second term was supported by Chief
Adebanjo and his colleagues. Obasanjo, who set-up two panels to probe the PTF,
stated publicly that Buhari’s hands are clean, but Chief Adebanjo asserted that
“—Obasanjo was trying to cover him (Buhari) up” because “—the issue of the N25
billion ---is all in the report”. People like me who have not seen the report
would have appreciated it if he had quoted the relevant parts. Corruption is a
major endemic problem in Nigeria which should be fully exposed and condemned
when and as opportunity permits. It is therefore unfortunate that Chief
Adebanjo stated: “When they talk of corruption in Jonathan government, I won’t
say the government is clean, but those who are talking about corruption, how
clean are they themselves?”
Chief Adebanjo described Buhari as an Islamic
fundamentalist, and “a man who said he was going to work for the operation of
Sharia throughout the country”. I do not know whether Buhari said so, but I am
confident that the pursuit of such a venture would be futile. I also recall
that a widely publicized allegation that Buhari had said he would make Nigeria
ungovernable turned out to be false; Reuben Abati and the Guardian newspaper
published an unreserved apology to Buhari in the Guardian of 11th July, 2013.
However action, it is said, speaks louder than words. It is instructive that
when Buhari was the military Head of State he refused to make Nigeria a member
of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC); he cut in half the number of
Nigerian pilgrims going to Mecca for the Hajj, and directed that they should be
given only their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA); the majority of his cabinet and
of the military governors he appointed were Christians; he had and still has
several Christian personal staff (personal assistant, cook, driver etc.).
Clearly the available facts indicate that the description of Buhari as an
Islamic fundamentalist is reprehensible scare-mongering. It is relevant to note
that, whereas Nigeria became a member of the OIC during the presidency of
General Babangida, the first and only incumbent Head of State to attend a
summit of the OIC was President Jonathan on 6th February, 2013 in Cairo where
his host was President Morsi of Egypt, the fundamentalist leader of the Moslem
Brotherhood.
Chief Adebanjo questioned the qualification of
Buhari to contest the Presidential election. He asserted: “What the law says is
this; you must have a school certificate before you can qualify.
---------Buhari has not satisfied the constitution.” Careful reading of the
relevant sections of the constitution will demonstrate to even the proverbial
ordinary Nigerian that these statements are most incorrect; the expositions of
several senior members of the bar in the dailies provide confirmation. Coming
from a man of Chief Adebanjo’s stature, the statements are surprising, disappointing
and embarrassing.
Chief Adebanjo described the selection of Professor
Yemi Osinbajo as Buhari’s running-mate as “a gimmick”. He stated that Osinbajo:
“—is a distinguished lawyer and a nice gentleman---has no political experience
---Tinubu brought him in as Attorney General, he was never in politics --- he
is from Ikenne but does he know the politics of Ikenne?” This is most amazing!
Chief Adebanjo knows that Osinbajo is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who became a
Professor of Law at the University of Lagos over two decades ago, served as
Adviser to Prince Bola Ajibola when the latter was Attorney General of the
Federation in the late eighties, and gave widely-acclaimed meritorious service
as Attorney General of Lagos State for two terms from 1999. In addition he has
served with distinction in several capacities nationally and internationally,
including the United Nations. He is clearly a distinguished lawyer who has
cognate experience of governance by virtue of his eight-year membership of the
cabinet of the Lagos State Government. The point is not that Chief Adebanjo
should support the choice of Osinbajo. Rather it is his implied belief that
knowledge of the politics of Ikenne –whatever that is – constitutes an/the
important criterion in the selection of a candidate for the post of
Vice-President!
Chief Adebanjo is well-known as a long-standing
political associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and proudly asserts that
he and his colleagues are disciples of the sage. The contributions of the sage
to public discourse were always characterized by focus on issues, constructive
criticism, and clear articulation of well-researched balanced arguments. . The
statements in the interview reviewed do not reflect these hallmarks.
A disciple is a follower of the doctrines of a
leader, teacher or school of thought. The quality of discipleship is a function
not only of loyalty but also the disciple’s perception or understanding of the
doctrines. The availability of relevant literature promotes discipleship, and
facilitates assessment of its quality. Thus the Bible and Koran make it
possible to evaluate the utterance and actions of self-professed Christians and
Moslems. It is a blessing that the books written by Chief Awolowo, as well as
lectures which he delivered and his contributions in parliament are readily
available. They make it futile for any individual or group to claim proprietary
rights to the sage.
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