Politics
Nigeria Does Not Need Another Weak Vice President
Nigeria Does Not Need Another Weak Vice President
By Omotoriogun Emmanuel
There are three fundamental principles in choosing a leader, especially when it comes to a country like Nigeria. Character, capacity, and energy are the most essential ingredients in picking a 21st century leader. This simply means that a leader in Africa’s most populous nation is expected to be a paragon of integrity, and a high flyer whose capacity in politics and public affairs must transcend both the state and federal government.
Nigeria also needs a leader that exudes energy and resourcefulness to drive the dividends of democracy to the people. And having elected Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its presidential flagbearer ahead of the 2023 election, the APC’s quest for choosing his running mate must revolve around the aforementioned qualities.
So far, three names have been shortlisted by the party for its Vice-Presidential slot. Babagana Zulum, the incumbent governor of Borno State, his Predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima, and the current Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El Rufai are alleged to be the key contenders.
But which of these men has all of what it takes to become Nigeria’s next vice president? It is no longer a hidden secret that the Office of the Vice President has for a long time been something of a delightfully bland euphemism for ceremonial leadership in Nigerian politics. An office that has been occupied by a series of men lacking in capacity and ability to inspire economic and political change. Except for Atiku Abubakar whose effect was in a way felt during his time, all other vice presidents that had emerged since Nigeria’s return to democracy have been merely political spare tyres. Goodluck Jonathan for instance was rather ineffective when he occupied the second-highest office in the land, and the unfortunate demise of his principal, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which led to his enthronement as President was a vindication that occupying political offices was entirely not one of his strengths.
GEJ’s deputy, the meek and unmotivated Muhammed Sambo also had nothing of value to offer as Vice President. Then came in the amiable Professor of Law, Yemi Osinbajo—one we all expected had the X factor to switch things up. But yet again, we were offered another ceremonial figurehead—this time, a smooth great talker who, in almost eight years has been a little doer. It must be pointed out that Nigeria does not need a manager, it needs a leader, and It perforce follows that for over a decade, the tradition of non-performing attributes has pervaded largely the position of the vice presidency in Nigeria.
With that in sight, it is expected that the APC’s choice of a running mate for Tinubu must be someone viable enough to create the needed political effect. Note that Tinubu’s candidacy for the presidency has conjured up a lot of reservations among Nigerians, and if the party must clear several doubts regarding the nation’s topmost job, then it must present to Nigerians a good enough vice-presidential aspirant. Of all three, Mallam Ahmed El Rufai is by far the most qualified for the job. He is suave, he understands better Nigeria’s current reality, and he is yawningly the most detribalized northerner in the mix. The truth also remains that Babagana Zulum will not be a bad pick either, but unfortunately, he is not El Rufai.
Note that, Mallam El Rufai singlehandedly coordinated all the APC governors to support the bid for Tinubu’s Presidency. He is a man who commands more respect in the Nigerian political clime than most of his counterparts. If picked, Mallam El Rufai will be the perfect piece to the jigsaw of an APC government that is in dire need of a reformative swagger.
To many, El Rufai comes off as a man that is overly principle, but it is his kind that Nigeria needs as number two at this point of reckoning. One of the most cosmopolitan breeds from northern Nigeria, El Rufai’s public service records speaks volume. This is a man whose reformative mind transformed a large part of Obasanjo’s government, not that he was even Nigeria’s vice president at the time. As minister of the FCT, El Rufai established the Abuja Geographic Information System, creating the first computerized land register and information system in Nigeria. He led reforms in the Nigerian public service and oversaw a transformation in the Ministry of Commerce and Interior while playing a key role in the country’s national economic team.
El Rufai is a political outlier and a pragmatic statesman that can hardly go missing in the business of statecraft. It is these leadership qualities that made him share a close connection with President Obasanjo during that dispensation, one that bears semblance to the connection enjoyed by President Richard Nixon and his brilliant aide, Henry Kissinger (for those familiar with the history of 20th century US politics). It was the same connection that made Nuhu Ribadu describe Mallam El Rufai as the ‘de facto no. 2 official’, tagging him the vice president given his active contribution to Obasanjo’s government.
There is no gainsaying how Mallam El Rufai has transformed Kaduna State in the most progressive ways. Under his stewardship, the State attracted a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of $2.61 billion in 2021. His progressive method of cutting the cost of government to reforming the state civil service and education sector is arguably the best policy thrust embarked upon by any current governor in Nigeria. Last year, he appointed a 28-year-old into his cabinet, and he is the only governor in northern Nigeria with a deputy as a woman—Dr. Hadiza Balarabe. Note that 53% of commissioners under his aegis in Kaduna State are women—a milestone that reaffirms Mallam El Rufai’s position as an incomparable modern statesman.
If anything, the APC stands a better chance of retaining their seat in Aso Rock should they go for Mallam El Rufai as Tinubu’s running mate. This is a man who can give Nigeria 20 hours of his time daily and can create compelling connections with Nigerian youths. There is a sense that if Nigeria finds a vibrant and disciplined Vice president like El Rufai, the country may as well get it right from 2023.
Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday described the allegation that the House spent N17 billion on the fixing of a gate as spurious and funny.
A self-proclaimed group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also sought investigation of the claim.
Speaking at plenary, Dr. Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over 2027 which is still more than two years away.
Obasa further debunked the claim that the House spent N200 million on its recently organised 22nd thanksgiving service for staff.
“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.
“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.
“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless. We had our thanksgiving last Friday and dignitaries from various parts of the State attended it,” the Speaker said.
Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, the Speaker denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.
“They said that I was at the National Assembly when they were confirming the EFCC chairman. I want to believe that there are CCTV cameras at the National Assembly to identify those who attended the event. The press must have written about it too. So the group should do more to confirm if I was there.
“This is just to deny the allegations in the interest of the public and not the writers because the writers are not those we should be joining words with,” the Speaker said.
Earlier, the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, had addressed the allegations noting that the Assembly bases its activities on integrity, transparency and accountability.
“It is ludicrous the claim about constituency intervention funds and constituency project funds and their handling by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko as claimed by the group.
“One would have expected a self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusading group to do its groundwork before jumping across the fence with conviction that it hit a jackpot to malign an institution of repute in the name of politics.
“Simply put, the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have any such funds. The Assembly does not embark on constituency projects. Instead, once every year, the House holds stakeholders’ meetings simultaneously across the state where constituents have the opportunity to tell the lawmakers their expectations and make requests for the betterment of the state.
“These requests and expectations are compiled and sent to the executive arm of government for consideration as inputs in subsequent budgets. If this is what the group takes as constituency intervention or project funds, we are sure this explanation has given the required education, moreover, it is common knowledge that it is the responsibility of the Executive arm to execute such projects,” the earlier statement by Ogundipe read.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
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