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What's Going On in Plateau?

This Day (Lagos)
OPINION
August 19, 2004
Posted to the web August 19, 2004

By Olusegun Adeniyi
Lagos
When President Olusegun Obasanjo in May this year declared a State of Emergency
in Plateau State and suspended Governor Joshua Dariye, I was not opposed to the
action because I saw it as the only way to restore peace at that period to a
state that was sliding towards anarchy. A situation that was being compounded
in a particular Northern state where people were also being incited to take
retaliatory action which could have snowballed into a national conflagration if
not quickly nipped in the bud.
While the problem in the state might have been deep-rooted, the truth was that
Dariye had, by his unguarded utterances, inflamed passion at a time he ought to
have risen to the occasion as the father to all. It was for this reason that I
agreed with the decision of the President to wield the big stick to save the
situation.
It was not that I could not understand the ethno-religious nuances, as some
people believed, and I would not for any reason support any attempt to subvert
our democracy. It was just that I was convinced, especially after my visit to
the displaced people's camp in Bauchi, that Dariye mismanaged the crisis and
needed to be temporarily eased off at least for sometime. It was, however, for
me not an easy decision especially given the constitutional lacuna. But I
supported the decision nonetheless and I have no regret for taking the position
I took. But I am worried by recent happenings in the State where it would seem
some sinister game is going on.
If reports from the state in the last three months are anything to go by,
however, it is not as if the violence has abated despite the military bravado
of the sole administrator, Major General Chris Alli. (rtd.) about using force.
Interestingly, while the problem persists, it would seem the Administrator has
been having a ball, from the reports we read of him buying cars for his wife
while the Police keep harassing the state legislators who have become innocent
victims of the emergency rule. Indeed, from the conduct and disposition of
Alli, he is behaving as if he has a mandate to rule Plateau state and he seems
to be enjoying the support of many of the top politicians in the state who
never really liked Dariye.
The height of the absurdity however happened last week when a Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) delegation led by Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Tony
Anenih visited the state. In the delegation were the Senate President, Chief
Adolphous Wabara, President Olusegun Obasanjo's Political Adviser, Professor
Jerry Gana and Chief Bode Olajumoke.
The mission of the Anenih team was to receive the defeated ANPP candidate, Air
Commodore Jonah Jang back to the PDP yet members of the state party exco were
not in anyway involved and there is no information that the party was suspended
along with Dariye. And from what has transpired from the visit, it would seem
there is a clandestine plot to ensure Dariye does not come back as Governor
with all kinds of permutations being worked out. And I consider this worrying.
Because it would only create more problems in the State.
I am not a Dariye supporter and like many PDP Governors, I gathered he did not
win fair and square, and that is to put it mildly. In fact, not a few people
actually believe Jang defeated him. But even at that, I would oppose a
situation where he will be shortchanged by some Abuja politicians just because
they are connected. Because any attempt to supplant Dariye with Jang now would
be unfair and could actually cause more problem in a state that is in dire need
of peace.
I am aware Dariye has powerful foes in some prominent politicians from the
State who would not want him to come back while there are yet unproven
allegations against him. But the fact remains that he was suspended not for any
other reason but his inability to keep peace in his state at a time of crisis
and since we are told the situation is now normal, as the President said
yesterday, there is no reason why Dariye should not return to his job. The
point remains that he has a mandate from the people and it is not in the power
of any Balogun to annul that mandate. Any attempt to do that would not solve
the problem in Plateau which is actually rather complex, it would only compound
it.
The President should be wary of political scavengers who don't mean well for
Plateau state and those who have their personal vendetta against Dariye.
Because it would be very dangerous for the suspended Governor to be ousted
through the manipulation of some Abuja godfathers. That would be a coup and it
will be unacceptable.

   

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