SINCE 1999, political office holders have always strive to anoint an heir to the throne in case of their exit. Which most often than not is not in the interest of the masses and sometimes the political platform that saw them to power. The rationale behind this practice might still be shrouded in obscurity but the intentions cannot be far fetched from the justification for continuity of the government policies initiated by the predecessor to covering up of the predecessor’s lapses.
To stretch our memory a little bit down the lane, it would be recalled that the Nigerian Ex- President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo single – handedly anointed the frail looking Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, a neophyte for presidency in 2007. Which he contended wars, with the hope that he would still be calling the shots from his Ota Farm. Being weak and subservient to him in many policy areas OBJ hoped Yar’Adua would be consulting regularly so that he (Obasanjo) might be a lee kwa yew sort of figure, exercising power from behind the scenes.
Though his appointed successor revolted against him, reversed virtually everything he did and even began investigating him, but was cheated by death and the probe died with him.
It is against this background that the state governors see it as a norm to appoint successors. And even when they do not succeed, it is the same party that is re-elected in that particular state. There seems to be some sort of allegiance between the successor and the predecessor.
Anchoring this observation on the pedestal of the concluded 2015 general elections, some state governors who have been singing discordant tunes with their predecessors who are from another party. Especially on financial matters. But in states where same party is elected, governors are silent on their financial condition, even when the states are owing months of workers salaries and pensions.
One would expect that after May 29, Nigeria’s newly elected governors should commence work and face the business of governance in their respective states. However, the process is being tampered by a raging war with their predecessors, especially over financial stringency.
For example, in Niger State, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of All Progressive Congress has asked the former governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of PDP to refund N2.9 billion, alleging that it had been stolen by the government of Babangida Aliyu at the eve of his administration’s exit.
Also Governor Nyeson Nike is going after Amaechi with everything he has got. He has inaugurated a committee to probe the ex-governor, Rotimi Amaechi for corruption. There has been a war of words between the duo which their aides have recently joined in. He’s also retrieving government properties still in possession of officials of the former administration.
There are allegations that the former governor left the state in tatters with a huge debt profile and arrears of salaries unpaid.
Interestingly, Governor Wike before now had enjoyed a very robust relationship with the former governor. Apart from the fact that both are from the same Ikwerre ethnic nationalities they were political soul mate having assisted each other to achieve their political ambitions. But irreconcilable political differences soon set them apart.
Amaechi’s utterances and body language have clearly shown that he does not recognize Wike as duly elected governor of Rivers State as he handed over to the secretary to the state government.
In Plateau State, much heat has been generated between erstwhile governor Jonah Jang and his successor, Simon Lalong over 104 billion debts and an empty treasury with salary backlog contracted agreement and the likes.
Other governors at war with their predecessors include Abdoullahi Abubakar of Bauchi who has engaged Yuguda over alleged maladministration, Governor Amimu Masari and former governor Ibarahim Shema bicker over state finances, and the former is set to probe the latter over alleged high level of corruption the new administration is uncovering in his ongoing interactions with government officials.
On the other hand, there seems to be silence from states whose governor are from the same party as the predecessor.
In Taraba State, the new governor, Darius Dickson of PDP has not declared any war against the out gone administration. Although, Ishaku Dickson inherited accumulated debts of over 27 billion from his predecessors, he is yet to take any bold step towards probing the out gone regimes. The debts were accumulated under the reigns of former Acting Governor Garba Umar and Sani Abubakar Danladi who was reinstated by a Supreme Court ruling.
In his inaugural speech, Ishaku had acknowledged the financial indebtedness of the state but his body language since he assumed office does not show that he might be ready to go after any of his predecessors.
There is a similar scenario in Abia State where the former Governor, Theodore Orji (PDP) owed civil workers backlog of salaries. Reports revealed that the state has not paid the salaries of workers at State Teaching Hospital for nine months, Teachers, six months, Abia Polytechnic, 5 months, Local Government Workers, four months salary arrears. But like that of Taraba State, the government elected, Dr. Victor Ikpeazu (PDP) has kept mum on the financial stringency of the state, though the backlog suggest clearly the financial position of the state.
From Asiwaju Ammed Tinubu to Babatunde Raji Fashola then Ambode of Lagos State there seems to have never been an issue of empty treasury or indebtedness.
Given the fact that it is an Ape-railing State, maybe the present successor would have been singing a different tune if he was from opposition party.
Leaders according to Baffour, would alter the process of succession once they don’t trust the successor, engage in gerrymandering to anoint a successor when they hope to control.
For instance, to further buttress this, President Yoweri Maseveri of Uganda declared. “I’m not ready to handover power to people or groups of people who have no ability to manage a nation… why should I sentence Ugandas to suicide by handling over power to people we fought and defeated? It’s dangerous despite the fact that the constitution allows them to run against me.. at times, the constitution may not be the best tool to direct us politically, for it allows wrong and doubtful people to contest for power”.
Every leader hopes to enjoy his peaceful retirement having piloted the affairs of his state for a number of years. This is because no leader would want to be swimming in troubled waters following allegations that might trail his exit from office.
Therefore, they strive to select a successor or better still ensure the victory of their party at the election for the sake of continuity or to cover up their tracks. And in a bid to cover up his master’s track there is continuity and the vicious cycle continues.
Senator Ekweremadu affirmed that Nigeria needs to build the institutions that would sustain democracy, rule of law and end the vicious circle of impunity than pay much attention to political succession struggle because if democratic institutions like electoral commission, police and the judiciary are consolidated and become effective to end the regime of impunity, Nigerians will not think much about political succession since the good governance will then take center stage.
