Mohammad M. Abdullahi
1 December 2007
opinion
As stated in our previous write-up, we support people that speak the truth, demonstrate the truth and live by the truth. It is quite unfortunate that politics in this part of the world is being practiced with total bitterness.
This bitterness does not allow people to give credit to whom it due. Leaders that have served their fatherland are often times slaughtered on the altar of political vendetta. But no matter what, the truth always prevails. I wonder if some politicians think of the hereafter because if they do, they do not show it. The latest episode in Sokoto is quite shocking considering the caliber of people involved. In our opinion, it is unfair for Magatarkada led administration to treat Bafarawa this way. Is this the way thank you is being said to a leader that has done the State proud?
From 1999-2007, we conducted comprehensive investigations into the various tiers of government with particular emphasizes on the States. From the documents available to us and our visit to many other States during our investigations, Sokoto State was adjudged the best in terms of projects executed by the government. Evidence of performance abounds in the State. Records are everywhere to show. We have been accused of being bought over by Bafarawa and that is why we are writing to defend him, but the fact of the matter is that we will continue to stand by the truth. To accuse Bafarawa of buying vehicles worth N110million is unfortunate.
It seems the Magatakarda led administration does not have a programme of action for his people, which explains his attempts at embarrassing Bafarawa at all cost. Magatarkada is castigating an administration he was part of for the greater part of its two terms in office. It is obvious that this is a calculated attempt to embarrass Bafarawa because of the duo's fallout politically. Since May this year when he took over the leadership in Sokoto State, he has busied himself with political witch- hunting and chasing Bafarawa's shadow. Six months into his administration, he is still at it. When will this administration settle down to the serious business of governance? I am sure many would like to know what has become of the story of empty treasury, or is it debt of N2b, which Magatakarda claimed he met on assumption of office. We would like to know if actually Bafarawa emptied the State treasury before he departed Government House. We are 100% sure that accusing fingers went back to the accuser and they went silent for a few days.
From all works of life we woke up and started hearing that Bafarawa auctioned vehicles to himself and paid a token sum of money and for that he will be charged for criminal offence. In order to be sure of our data, we made letters to different security organizations and took it upon ourselves to find out the true position of the allegations. During our investigation the following questions came to our mind:-
What is the level of involvement of Bafarawa in the sale of these vehicles?
Does the law allow sale or auction of government vehicles?
Was the rule and regulations governing sale or auctioning of government property followed?
Which government organ was responsible for approving the sale?
Did the beneficiary or beneficiaries pay for such government property?
In this case, is there evidence that the money paid was accepted by Sokoto State treasury?
Is the beneficiary qualified to buy the auctioned vehicles?
From the above questions, one can independently answer that all the rules and regulation for the sale of the vehicles were duly obeyed. In this case, the vehicles were old vehicles used by Bafarawa's administration, which he is qualified to buy as a result of government monetization policy. Receipt no. 04972 dated 18/5/2007 was for Mercedes Benz 560, which was auctioned at N14m, Lexus Jeep at N13m receipt no. 04971 dated 15/5/2007. Investigation took us to where tokunbo vehicles of the same grade are sold at the cost of N5.5m. How come the Magatarkada led administration has shifted from the empty treasury, to chase N110m against a Governor who performed creditably like Bafarawa? Other States are following stolen funds of billions of naira, here comes a State chasing N110m. In this case, Sokoto State council approved the auctioning of those vehicles, it was paid for and receipted for, therefore if anyone is culpable, it is the council members in their official capacity that should be held liable.
In the course of our investigation the following facts were found:
The accusation against Bafarawa is politically motivated and a revenge by Magatakarda as a result of political rivalry between him and Bafarawa while he was the Deputy Governor.
The auction of these vehicles was approved by council.
All vehicles were purchased through auction and duly paid and receipted for.
The recommended price by the board of surveyors was lower than the amount Bafarawa paid, that is over 50% of the amount of a new one.
The aims and objectives of Magatakarda led administration is to blackmail Bafarawa.
It is important for Magatakarda to know that nobody walks in the muddy waters of life without leaving footprints and only time shall vindicate the innocent. As the saying goes, no matter how heavy is a rainfall it can never erase the trace of history. Magatakarda was part of Bafarawa's administration for six years. No matter their political differences, the labour of our heroes should not be in vain. Bafarawa served his people diligently, but today persecution, lies and malice has occupied the mind of Magatakarda led administration. I wish to remind Magatakarda's led administration that today Bafarawa is an ex-governor, tomorrow he will also become an ex-governor. What he should be doing now is to create time to serve his people so that his name will be indelible in history. History will not be kind to him if he uses his time witch-hunting the past. If we non-indigenes of Sokoto State appreciate the performances of his predecessor, he should give us the impression that he will perform better, now that the ball is in his court.
Thank God the judiciary has taken its rightful position, as the defender of the oppressed. The immediate decision of the judge to strike out the criminal charges against Bafarawa is commendable and professional of a God fearing judge who refuses to be a politically motivated judge. It is our desired hope that other investigating organisation like ICPC and others will borrow a leaf from the judiciary and EFCC by total refusal for any agent of state to be used for political vendetta to confuse them in blackmailing people that have served our fatherland diligently. With selfless, unbiased, God-fearing and diligent investigations, our nation will surely move forward.
Abdullahi writes from Kangiwa Close, Asokoro 08044109756.
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