Two incidents occurred recently that show us all that leadership can change the way we do things in this country, and within a short period. In fact, the entrenchment of a “new order,” in the way we carry out our respective assignments – at any level, or even in our individual businesses – could be much sooner than we can ever envisage.
The history of elections in Nigeria is almost that of violence and rancour. Since the pre-independence days leading to the First Republic, the Second Republic up to the aborted Third Republic, and now the Fourth Republic, election periods have been characterised by popular apprehension among citizens. It is easy to recall the cross carpeting episode at Ibadan, “Operation Wet e” in the First Republic that eventually led to the truncation of that Republic, the Landslide victory of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic, and the annulment of the June 12 presidential election of 1993. And since the return to civilian rule in 1999, there has not been no single election held in any part of the country which was not eventually been adjudicated upon by the law courts.
It was therefore, a pleasant and most welcome surprise when the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s first reaction to his defeat by Mr. Ayo Fayose, at the recently held gubernatorial elections in the State, was that of concession of defeat even before most of the electorate became aware of the final results. It was a very rare show of patriotism and nationalism by a politician, as well as a gallant sign of respect for the electorate itself, when he actually expressed in his concession speech a willingness to work with the incoming governor, “to institute a smooth transition programme.”
Dr Fayemi’s acceptance speech itself, gives kudos to his sense of sportsmanship: “I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heed your voice…”
The second incident occurred at the 17th Hotel Kaduna, the venue of an International Conference on Security and Development Challenges of Pastoralists in West and Central Africa. Against official protocol, some overzealous security personnel insisted on searching the vehicle conveying the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwwal, to this event. The Speaker, who was one of the keynote speakers at the Conference, had arrived the Hotel at about 9:16 a.m., but was accosted and his car barred from entry into by the security personnel at the gate. A visibly shaken Mr. Tambuwal stormed out of his car and walked the remaining distance to the event venue.
Even as controversy raged over the issue, and many began to see the issue from a partisan angle, the convener of the event, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser, ordered an immediate probe into this breach of protocol, and went even further to forward an official letter of apology to Mr. Tambuwwal.
Dasuki tendered an unreserved apology to the Speaker and stated that the action of the security personnel was not directed at the person of the speaker but was just a case of poor discretion. He therefore regretted any embarrassmentit could have caused.
We at I-Nigerian Forum would like to commend the rare show of humility displayed by these two gentlemen – Dr Fayemi and Mr Sambo Dasuki. We in particular commend them, and the maturity displayed in the discharge of their positions, to all public officers, and the rest of Nigerians, as worthy of emulation.
Their behavior only goes to emphasise to us all – irrespective of level in society, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, to our Public officers – that issues can be dealt with, and addressed in a manner that reflects our collective national interest, and in fact the good name of Nigeria that Nigerians are all deserving of. This could not have come at a better time. At a time like this we all agree that such encouraging behavior is much needed to show uplift our sense of patriotism and belief in ourselves; to calm all frayed nerves; and most of all to show example to the rest of the citizens that change IS possible, and that it starts from us.
It is observed that Mallam Sambo Dasuki is a gentleman of standards, ethics and values and has raised the standard of the code of behaviour, conduct and practice of public officials.
I-Nigerian also lends its voice to this call for us all, and for our public servants in particular, to make it a point to address issues that concern us – regardless of how aggrieved one might be in any instance – with a high sense of decorum, humility, maturity, and in the highest interest of the nation, in which we all, either by “accident or by design” have found ourselves as its citizens. That “TIPPING POINT” is possible!!
Ada Stella Apiafi National Coordinator I-Nigerian Initiative 0818 033 7091
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