By George Samuel
As the battle for the 2023 general elections gathers momentum, various interest groups, individuals, political parties are seemingly plotting the path to clinch power, especially the presidency.
Going beyond any individual or party interest, what should have been the focus for Nigeria as a nation perpetually bedeviled by insecurity and unparalleled economic crisis, is to, even for the sake of our innocent children and posterity, bring a very competent person who genuinely has what it takes to be the president of Nigeria, and efficiently and effectively pilot the affairs of our fatherland.
The incontestable fact is that we must sincerely put heads together to get the country out of the woods before our etch thoughts, ego and self-interest, consume all of us.
Today, even a new born baby whose entire responsibilities hinge on his or her parents is feeling the impact of the bad leadership and the glaring mendaciousness in the country – you don’t need an oracle or mystic to tell you things aren’t working. The insurgency that was promised to be dealt with is still thriving; naira is daily getting weaker against the dollar, kidnapping and banditry are the order of the day.
Fighting corruption, which was used to deceive Nigerians, is indifferently turning out to be a big hoax and worse still, borrowing has become the integral part of this government which is similarly mortgaging the future of the country. Indeed, this is what we should expect when we vote for a person who does not have much to give.
In spite of his shortcomings, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had, during his tenure, fished out competent people and brought them on board his administration. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, Dr. Obi Ezekwesili, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, to mention but a few, were ministers. The unique thing about Obasanjo is that he appointed them based on their antecedents and know-how. And as at today, most of them are thriving in the world of their dreams years after leaving office.
Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Talban Gombe) was handpicked by the then government and appointed as the accountant general of the federation also based on his enviable records in the financial sector. What was more surprising was the fact that Dankwambo was serving as the accountant general of Gombe state, an All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) controlled state, but got appointed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led federal government.
Regrettably, in 2019, despite the apparent failure on the side of the leadership of the country and the fervent plea for an out-and-out change, PDP conspicuously failed to produce Dankwambo as its presidential flag bearer in the face of his competency and incomparable records of achievements both as the accountant general of the federation and subsequently governor of Gombe state.
The truth is that, if we candidly want good governance, we must detach ourselves from the ritual of electing leaders based on our own individual and primordial interest either at the primary or secondary elections. The most essential yardstick for choosing leadership at all levels should and must be the individual competency and administrative acumen.
The country deliberately chooses the footpath of failure at the very point we ditched credible people like Dankwambo who, apart from his momentous successes at the various positions of stewardship he held, possesses sterling and intimidating academic credentials unlike those who run from wall to wall to prove to the nation that they legitimately own secondary school leaving certificate. This could be ridiculous!
In 2023 and beyond, what the country needs the most is a detribalized leader who will heal the glaring wounds among the nation’s multifarious ethnic and religious segments, restore peace and hope across board, revitalize the ailing economy, and provide the needed clue and political will to effectively nip in the bud the ceaseless insecurity striking the country. To say the least, in spite all the goodwill and sportsmanship enjoyed by this administration, the people are living in despondency and anguish – and we must collectively start to use conscience and moral sense in deciding who to give political responsibility.
In fact, I never met with Dankwambo personally, but I was able to watch his enviable treads in leadership. The ultimate concern has always centered on him as someone belonging to a different cast of politics and conscience the country wants at this critical moment.
Surely, Nigerians, and indeed the PDP, could not be wishing for a Dankwambo presidency because he has money or because he has some rich backers, no; he has neither of these. His only capital is the great work he has done as accountant general of the federation and governor of one of the most transformed states in the North of Nigeria with meagre resources.
Also, another alluring and bankable capital in Dr. Dankwambo is his cosmopolitan nature which he has brought on leadership – prudent management of resources. It is instructive to emphasise that throughout his sojourn in many lucrative workplaces, Dankwambo has never been found wanting in the handling of resources under his control. This is integrity, a rare feature among many politicians.
To round off this piece, let it be a clarion call to the most estimable and indefatigable Ibrahim Dankwambo (Talban Gombe) wherever he’s and whatever he’s doing, to start warming up to rescue this nation. For those who are busy calling some clumsy and inept for the highest job, should be fair enough for the sake of the innocent children and opt for the competent Dankwambo.
Samuel writes from Aja, Lagos state.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Sky Daily
