El-Rufai’s ordeals

The sense of entitlement, the arrogance, the and the way and manner Mallam has been acting and doing his things to the elites, and to the masses, across religions in Kaduna State and across Nigeria, has made him a common enemy to a lot of people across the power blocks, and strata of Nigeria. As a state and national leader, of a diverse Country like Nigeria, those behaviors could be his Achilles Heel. Let us not forget, this is a man that woke up one day, and insulted/ disrespected northern leaders/ elders of Nigeria, by saying that he did not respect any leader/elder in northern Nigeria, because having attained the age of sixty, he is also an elder. This attitude does not show a leader with the moral compass to guide our youths. By the way, I have personally raise concerns about the roles that our northern leaders/elders have been playing regarding the underdevelopment in the north, especially in this 4th Republic. But I never and will never disrespect them,  because they are our parents, uncles, aunts, and elder brothers and sisters. Certainly some northern leaders/ elders have done well and deserve our respect. Because indeed respect is a key value in any good society. Of course Mallam has since been going around kowtowing to the northern leaders/elders after that statement, under the guise of campaign and seeking for consent and political support. Even though the northern leaders/elders did not publicly respond to his disrespect, I am sure that they have all noted, the statement will surely backfire at the right time. Personally, I was disappointed by that disrespectful statement by Nasir El-Rufai, and it had influenced my impression of him. Indeed respect is reciprocal.

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Without a doubt, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufa’i is one of the most prolific, controversial and consequential political leaders in Nigeria’s 4th Republic. Over the years, he had demonstrated capacity, competence and intelligence in public and private sectors from his teaching days in the University, to  consulting as a quantity surveyor, to his public service, and politics. However, Mallam’s political career has been littered with controversies, and I dare say that in the past 25 years, he succeeded more in making more enemies than friends and allies. He destroyed more political bridges across Nigeria than the ones he built. In politics, impulsiveness and predictability are not assets - they are liabilities. Moreover, intelligence is not enough. Character, emotional intelligence, etc matter more! Because for one to have stay power in politics and leadership, one has to have a long term perspective.

It is interesting, that Mallam Nasiru campaigned vigorously to convince Nigerians to vote for the then presidential candidate  Bola Ahmed Ttinubu, as the “messiah “ or “savior” of Nigeria. Only to do an about face when he lost out in the power play, as he was not confirmed as a Minister in President Tinubu’s cabinet. Suddenly, to Mallam Nasiru,  President Tinubu (the messiah) became the worse leader of Nigeria. Most Nigerians are actually seeing beyond this veil of hypocrisy of Nigerian politicians. When such politicians lose out in the power play, we should allow them to enjoy the consequences of their hypocrisy! Of course, this may not be the silver bullet to sanitize Nigerian political space, but it is a crucial step move in the  right direction for a better leadership recruitment process in Nigeria, where honor and integrity should be key values. So let the politicians continue to outplay themselves until they become more genuine in their principles, ideals and ideologies, in their words and actions. I am 100% sure as majority of Nigerians are also sure that, if Mallam had become a Minister in President Tinubu’s cabinet, he would have been singing another tune and praising President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, while attacking anyone that feels or says otherwise. That is classic game that Nigerian politicians play. The game is simply about their personal interests and not the interests of the citizens or the country. So long as their interests as served, nothing else matters! Dear Nigerians, we should learn and be wiser!

Nigerian politicians shout “injustice”, when they face investigations or prosecution. Nigerians MUST separate crime from politics. Indeed, a leader’s past or mistakes could be used against him/ her as leverage in power play and politics. But should that wrong be right simply because it is used as a weapon against the leader? Yes it is true that when most leaders are in a ruling party they may not necessarily be fully prosecuted, but in my view that should not justify wrongdoing. I am not advocating for selective justice, I am advocating that leaders should try to live above board in and out of power or office such that it will be difficult to successfully witch-hunt them politically. It will be very obvious if and when it is a witch-hunt, and the witch-hunt will ultimately fail. The lesson is also for the incumbent leaders across all arms and tiers of government because they will surely leave office and they will also face the consequences of their actions either rightly or by “witch-hunt”. Witch-hunt/ persecution only succeed if the person’s impunity catches up with him/ her.

It is also true that Mallam Nasiru El-Rufa’i is a hero, role model, or an icon to some Nigerians, especially young northerners. But is also very true that there are a lot of victims of Mallam’s impunity, high handedness, arrogance or recipients of his insults and disrespect, including his fellow citizens of Kaduna State that suffered in one way of the other during his tenure as Governor of the State. Certainly, nobody is perfect, including Mallam Nasiru, and that is why if and when we realize  that we have offended some people deeply, it is proper and humane to take responsibility and apologize where necessary and make corrections where needed. That what will bring the best out of us. That is the best way to neutralize enemies! But not by rubbing in the pains or brushing them aside as “rubbish”!

It is ironic how people that perpetrated impunity on others without remorse, turn around and play the “victim”, and call for the defence of their fundamental human rights when they are face investigation, arrest or prosecution on allegations that they committed crimes. The audacity is when they, their co-travelers, and supporters behave as if they are above the law - that behavior is what I call “entitled arrogance!”. Should there be different laws for Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i? Their selective amnesia of what they did while they ran roughshod while in position of power and authority behaving sometimes worse that emperors leave bad tastes in the mouth.

The questions are: Does Mallam Nasiru have cases to answer? Is Mallam Nasiru above the law? What happened when he arrested and detained people without due process? What happened when he flagrantly and repeatedly disobeyed court orders? What happened when he insulted and maligned people especially those that did not share the same views or sentiments with him? Is he currently facing prosecution and detention undertaken within the confines of the law and due process? If so why all the  deflections and shenanigans? Indeed time is a gentleman. We refuse to learn or remember, or think that we are some special breed of people that are insulated from nemesis, posterity and natural justice. The lesson to all of us, is that we should always remember that power and life are transient. Therefore, we should all be circumspect whenever we find ourselves in positions or power and privilege. Because, the time for accountability and taking responsibility will surely come in this world and the hereafter. Indeed the day of reckoning will come to all of us.