Kaduna — One interesting question that hangs in the air, within the realm of the last four years of el-Rufai's leadership in the Federal Capital Territory is this: Would there have been a probe in the FCT administration if there were no demolition exercises carried out in the historical notes of the FCT?

Or put differently, what would have been the correct assessment of el-Rufai's four years of stewardship in the absence of the demolition exercise?

Take away demolition in the history of el-Rufai's FCT and one would come face-to-face with the real issues. The demolition of structures within the FCT during e1-Rufai's tenure appears to represent the cardinal objective of peoples' disenchantment on his administration. This position no doubt limits the horizon of our assessment to a relatively small area outside the parameters where the former minister left positive marks as part of his contributions.

However, it is important to examine the merits and demerits of the demolition exercise. There are three reasons advanced for the demolition exercise, but first, it must be seen as a fall out of the decision of the federal executive council under Chief Obasanjo's administration in which, Malam Nasiru was a key figure and the implementer of such EXCO decision.

The first reason addressed by the FCT authorities under el-Rufai for embarking on demolition was the discovery of plots of land allocated on power and sewage lines, and green areas as well as the erection of sundry structures. The second reason is that, it was discovered that, some plots and by implication houses allocated to some citizens were done via fake particulars as issued by unauthorized persons and thirdly, it was the resolve of the Federal Government under President Obasanjo to restore the original master plan of the federal capital.

Out of all these reasons, none reflects the yearnings and aspirations of el-Rufai as an individual; none can be said to have any potential to change his life, his name and what he thinks as a quantity surveyor who earns a living in building not demolition. It is therefore natural and logical that people should look beyond the demolition exercise if we are to be fair and just in our assessment of el-Rufai's four year tenure in the FCT.

For instance, in whose interest is it to have someone's house destroyed? Of what use is the calamity of having your structures destroyed to the man behind such decision? It is a matter of time before residents of he FCT realised the benefits of enforcing laws as they affect the establishment of a befitting federal capital territory for the country, as envisioned by the regime of late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed in 1976.

In nation building, sacrifices of whatever kind are required to actualise the dream of the founding fathers. In that process, tears must be shed; sweat must drop and sometimes lives must be lost. But the bottom line should be the positive consequences of such supreme sacrifices. If the demolition exercise as exacerbated by the former FCT minister would culminate into a better federal capital, then that should serve as a consolation for those physically and emotionally injured in the demolition process.

Nigerians, especially the inhabitants of the FCT must take heart, and bear in mind that, whatever befalls them within the realm of the destruction of properties in the FCT are mere temporary set backs, time, should be seen as the healer of all wounds. EI-Rufai is not a man of evil, but was propelled by his burning desire to set things right.

In spite of the heart burning regrets that trailed the demolition exercise, the former FCT minister is today credited for computerising the Abuja land allocation system, thereby simplifying the process and making it easy to detect fraud. He is also known to have allocated 27,000 plots of land to deserving Nigerians during his four-year tenure, a figure that is about 50 percent of the entire FCT allocation in its over 35 years of history.

The former minister also took bold steps in restoring the Abuja master plan by detecting and revoking plots allocated on power lines, sewage routes, and green areas; and caused to remove all offending structures in the heart of the city. He equally removed illegal structures, shanty dwellings and squatter settlements after ample notice were served.

EI-Rufai's major achievement as the FCT minister equally includes the reclaiming of valuable school land and properties which were misappropriated by powerful interests. He was also able to eradicate illegal corner shops, illegal structures in Abuja markets, illegal mechanic and artisan sheds which were open invitation to arson and put in their place modern markets, with space for both rich and poor traders, modern shopping malls and distinct Abuja automotive village for mechanics, artisans, car dealers and so on.

The former minister can also be credited for expanding intra-city roads beyond anybody's wildest imagination, introduced an efficient taxi and bus urban mass transit system as well as ridding the city from the menace of okada riders. Accident rate went down in the FCT from 140 to 14 in the first month of the ban on okada.

There were however, spectrum of allegation against the former FCT minister, some were created out of imagination while others were over amplified. These allegations which range from violation of court orders; plots revoked and allocated to the minister and his cronies; and that el-Rufai allocated 57 C-of-Os to himself few hours before he vacated his seat as a minister and so on.

The question here is, was it possible for the former minster to carry out this national assignment of enraging the public without being soiled with the dirty mud of wantom allegations? EI-Rufai's regime provoked many and up turned the fortunes of many. There were tears and there were tears; wile some were necessary, others appeared less credible.

It is normal, for every sun that shines, leaves in its wake some form of humidity. Murtala Mohammed, in spite of his revolutionary zeal was assassinated; General Mohammadu Buhari and his col1eague, late Tunde Idiagbon were thrown out of office; all those who have distinguished themselves in their various chosen fields were all victims of public disenchantment.

Even the FCT probe panel led by Senator Abubakar Sodangi was also accused of masking what some people regarded as their parochial interests with the probe saga. But the truth is that, through the committee's investigations, there was not a single question presented before him for which he found no answer for. The answer may not be satisfactory, yet, there were no substantial evidence that could incriminate the former minister. It is therefore safe to say, most of his actions were in the best interest of the nation.

While the whole world has continued to commend the senate committee on FCT for boldly championing the cause of events by casting spot lights on the happenings within the FCT, especially as it affects the woes and cries of all those affected by the demolition exercise, it is pertinent to draw the attention of the distinguished Senators to the real issues.

EI-Rufai was merely implementing the decision of a script written by the Obasanjo led Federal Executive Council, whether or not such decisions were devoid of human face, the former minister should be seen as a child of circumstance. To avoid setting precedents on issues of national interest especially the manner in which they were addressed, the committee members should compassionately reason with the former minister.

His case should be treated from perspective of one who fires perhaps far beyond the target, rather than seeing him as one who has tendency for mischief. EI-Rufai himself noted that, most of the things he did as a minister was a fall out of decision taking on all issues of demolition were closely discussed with the former president before they were implemented.

Missa Mohammad Sale wrote in from 17, Wushishi Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State.