LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION 2013: WHAT ROLE FOR THE COUNCIL OF ULAMA? (III) IS THE COUNCIL BLAMELESS: As earlier stated certain decisions did not go down well with some politicians and their followers. Notable among such decision include: (a) The Decision to endorsed Alhaji Bello Abdullahi, Wazirin Kanam for Governor in 2003; (b) Endorsing Senator Victor Lar for Governor in 2007; (c) Endorsing Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan against the incumbent Hon. Nazifi Ahmad for State House of Assembly, Jos North North; (d) Endorsing Hon. Suleman Kwande, for House of Representatives; (e) Endorsing Pauline Tallen for Governor in 2011. (f) Endorsing Barrister Yusuf Pam for Plateau Senatorial Bye Election last year. Before analyzing few of the above misconceived decisions of the Council, I must emphasize the fact that the Council always do its utmost best to arrive at any given decision. In most cases special prayers are being conducted for Allah’s guidance. Similarly, certain decisions were taken so as to ensure the unity of the Ummah and not to give bad signals of favouratism or tribalism. For instance, some criticized the Council for endorsing a woman (Pauline Tallen) when Islam did not allow for leadership of women. This decision was arrived at under the doctrine of necessity as the incumbent governor Jang was feared to do worst whenever he returns to power in view of what happened under his leadership in 2008 and 2010. It was believed then, that Madam Pauline Tallen would be a lesser evil. In the case of the endorsement of Hon. Suleman Kwande, three reasons influenced the decision of the Council in his favor, viz: (a) He has been obedient to the Council in the past when asked to to step down for others. (b) His father has identified himself with the cause of the ummah for decades to the detriment of himself, the latest being the heroic and outstanding role he played in the Solomon Lar Presidential Pane. (c) The need to debunk the notion that the Council is for the Jos Hausa/Fulani not for the entire Muslims in the state. Those facts remain debatable. In respect of endorsing Barrister Yusuf Pam, some were of the view that all beroms are enemies of the Ummah hence none should be trusted. However, the Council relied upon the antecedents of that particular candidate as well as the caliber of people that stood and vouch for him. I will not mention names here. That informed the decision. Moreso, the candidacy of the only Muslim in the race had a big question mark on it. In any case, the Council at a stage set a standing rule that no member of the Council should entertain any candidate when election is approaching in his home or office. He should rather refer such candidate to the whole Council. However, politicians being what they are, always find one excuse or the other to visit some members either in their homes or in their offices. This singular act led many to begin to have doubt over the credibility and independence of the Council’s decisions. In actual sense, the Council always strives to live above board and never allow any contact with any politician to influence its decision towards endorsing any candidate. This fact remains solid and uncontroverted despite several insinuations from far and wide. Thus, the Council remains relevant in fashioning out a way out politically for the Ummah. Other emerging groups pretended to be capable of giving political direction to the Ummah, but they were tested and all failed woefully. For instance, during the House of Reps election, about five groups’ opinions was sought by the Council. But all ended up endorsing a candidate closer to the individual choices of their leaderships. Some declined endorsing any candidate obviously for fear of being accused of taking side. It is said a friend for all is a friend for none! PLATEAU STATE GOVT UNDER JANG AND THE COUNCIL (ABOVE IS GOING TO BE MY NEXT SUBJECT INSHA ALLAH. KEEP A DATE WITH ME).
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 14:22:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015