Factoring religion into National politics By Mahmoon Baba-Ahmed Religious prejudice has always been the focus of interest or attention in this country. It defines the motive for any action and provides inspiration for accomplishments. In fact it is the central theme or distinct point that keeps recurring in discussions or political debates which have repeatedly been responsive for all the disturbances that trigger sudden changes in our political and social conditions. That was the scenario which unfolded in November 2009 when late President Umar ‘Yar’adua had fallen sick and was rushed to Saudi Arabia where his condition rapidly deteriorated, necessitating his prolonged stay in a private hospital. His hurried departure did not allow him observe basic constitutional requirement for his vice to act for him and that had caused a constitutional crisis which had to be resolved through invoking ‘doctrine of necessity’ principle which paved way for the swearing in of Goodluck Jonathan as acting president. While all that was going on, an ingenious and secret plot were being hatched within and outside the government circles to mystify the condition of President ‘Yar’adua who was confined to a situation sheltered from the practicalities of ordinary life by a powerful cabal of authoritative plotters that competed frantically to hijack political power. President ‘Yar’adua was kept in an ivory tower by his Machiavellian wife, Turai and her scheming kinsmen in government were denying access to those they called interlopers, including his Vice, Goodluck Jonathan. That practically stalled progress in bureaucracy and frustrated President ‘Yar’adua’s political allies and associates. Even in far away Saudi Arabia opportunity to meet President ‘Yar’adua was disallowed by the peculiar circumstances of his strange illness and by high-ranking conspirators; and at home tongues were wagging in frenetic gossips, mainly by some Christians, over what they called discriminatory handling of Yar’adua’s case by his Muslim brethrens actively maneuvering to prevent a Christian Vice –President from acting for his incapacitated boss. As a result of that, the polity was unnecessarily overheated with its citizens polarized along religious divide. The situation was not helped either even after Vice-President Jonathan was inaugurated in acting capacity or when he eventually assumed the mantle of presidency after the demise of his boss. That is the political tradition bequeathed to the nation by a small group of people within a larger group who have more power, social standing, wealth or opportunity than the rest. Such people can only survive on the ethno-religious crises they specifically ferment, through manipulating religion, in order to realize their dark, selfish designs. Precisely, the power play currently unfolding in Taraba State is but a replay of the ugly incidences that occurred in the twilight of President Umar ‘Yar’adua’s rule. The intolerable role effectively played by Turai ‘Yar’adua is being encored by the Taraba’s Lady Macbeth, Hauwa who stood solidly behind her ailing husband, Danbaba Suntai, propping his languid and enervated body in Jalingo, after his disastrous air crash last October and supporting him physically and spiritually during his almost ten-month ordeal at New York hospital. While Suntai was convalescing abroad, similar sequences of familiar events and usual sets of circumstances that characterized ‘Yar’adua’s epoch were rearing their ugly heads at home. His people, mainly the Christians, attempted to frustrate the chances of his deputy, Garba Umar, a Muslim, from grasping power in acting capacity, and when he was eventually allowed to do so statutorily, he was never allowed sufficient leverage to get thing done properly.. Petty squabbles, based on religious sentiments, have rendered him nearly ineffective, always conscious of the feelings of the Christian elements within his government who had never hidden their contempt for him. In fact, it was alleged that Hauwa Suntai, in collaboration with key officials of Taraba State Government, aided and abetted by some misguided politicians, vowed never to allow a Muslim rule the state. And when finally Suntai, laid up with serious brain injuries, was partially revived for a tedious homeward journey, it soon became obvious on landing in Abuja that he has not fully recovered from the way he trampled down the rungs of the plane with much difficulty, assisted by a horde of aides. Suntai’s political associates, mainly from his tribal enclave and some religious zealots, had precipitously tried to bring him back to Jalingo in a desperate bid to ensure the continuity of a Christian governor in power after realizing the hopelessness of his critical condition. They precipitated a situation that could enable them seize power and rule through a proxy by dismantling the government structure in place and substituting it with their nominees who were renown religious bigots. In that way they can stifle the acting governor and call the shots themselves. However, the people of Taraba State have realized the folly of these extremely prejudiced politicians and resisted their ignoble move which was widely applauded as the most appropriate step taken to save the state from falling into a precipice. It was unanimously resolved, and rightly too, that Governor Suntai is still infirm and needs further medical attention at the institution he left behind while Garba Umar, the acting governor can effectively deputize for him.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 11:36:10 +0000
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