DARIYE'S PARDON, METAPHOR FOR EASTER CELEBRATION

 DARIYE'S PARDON, METAPHOR FOR EASTER CELEBRATION

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, April 15, 2022; SMS: 08116181263)*

During the last Council of State meeting, which took place at the Aso Rock Villa on April 14, 2022, former governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Chibi Dariye (Kawun Mushere), Ex-governor Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame, and many others were granted State Pardon. In 2018, the duo of Dariye and Nyame were separately convicted and their convictions were upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2020 and March 2021 respectively. This consequently led to them being confined behind bars to serve jail terms of 10 and 12 years respectively.

A jail term is a period a convicted person is made to serve in prison confinement (a correctional center) as a penalty for crime (s) committed and established by a court of competent jurisdiction. The sentence could be a life one depending on the gravity of the offense and partly the discretion of the presiding or a final deciding judge. Once the case has been decided and conviction secured, only the National Council of State could reverse it through the royal prerogative of power.

The National Council of State in Nigeria is made up of the President who is the Chairman; Vice President (Vice-Chairman);

Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria; all former Presidents of the Federation and all former Heads of the Government of the Federation; all former Chief Justices of Nigeria; President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; all the Governors of the 36 states of the Federation and the Attorney-General of the Federation (Nigeria Galleria, 2021).

The responsibilities of the Council of State as reported in online Wikipedia are broadly twofold. The first is to advise the President in the exercise of his powers to the: National population census and compilation, publication, and keeping of records and other information concerning the same; Prerogative of mercy; Award of national honors; The Independent National Electoral Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission); the National Judicial Council (including the appointment of the members, other than ex-officio members of that Council); The National Population Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission). The second is to advise the President whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order within the Federation or any part thereof and such other matters as the President may direct.

Following entreaties and appeals from various quarters, the council of state activated its prerogative powers in granting State pardon to 159 persons out of 162 requests laid before it at its last seating on April 14, 2022, at the statehouse Abuja.

State Pardon is a government decision to allow a person to be relieved of some or all of the legal consequences resulting from a criminal conviction (Wikipedia). It could be a partial or total (absolute) pardons. Absolute Pardon is described as "the total extinction of the criminal liability of the individual to whom it is granted without any condition whatsoever resulting in the full restoration of his civil rights."

Amongst the prime beneficiaries of the total pardon were these two termed former governors of the Plateau and Taraba States who were first convicted by a high court in 2018 and their separate convictions upheld by the Supreme Court around March 2021. It was cheering news for men of goodwill, friends, and well-wishes of these freedmen.

Some of the early reactions posted on social media in respect of Sen. Dariye's pardon reads: "Victory at last", "To God be the glory", "In endless jubilation!", "...my explosive excitement of the cheering news of State Pardon granted His Excellency, Chief. Sen. Dariye", just to sample a few of those cheering commentaries. Across party, ethnic and religious lines, all lovers of freedom and grace of God, especially, in Plateau State are visibly happy!

The release of Sen. Dariye and Ex-Governor Nyame corresponds with the commemoration of the Easter celebration. Easter is a Christian memorial ritual that reflects on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who in Christendom is believed was divinely designed to redeem mankind from the bondage of sin for which man stands condemned after violating God's instruction in the Garden of Eden.

The report of this deviation from the law of God, which amounts to an act of gross offense punishable by death is fully reported in the scriptures. In Genesis 2:15-17, God had placed Adam and Eve in the Premier Garden of Eden with prompt instructions to work it; eat from it, but not from "the tree of the knowledge of God and evil" for doing so will attract the death penalty. This clear instruction was stubbornly violated and so God passed the verdict against the eating of the "forbidden fruit", the summary of which is that man shall suffer and die (Gen 3:13 -20). In this place, God was playing the role of a judge.

When God's law, natural laws, or human laws are violated, there are consequences ranging from serious to less serious ones. The effect of the Adamic sin against God is extending through our generation today. When men are fated to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide, but stubbornly take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, natural law is violated and the penalty is instant death. A citizen who violated state laws and is found guilty will be made to face the full wrath of the law or appropriate sanctions.

Judges are men before God and gods before men. Their verdict is final except otherwise reversed by a higher judge. A judgment can only be set aside or invalidated when a higher court so declares. This is possible because the court system is structured in such a way that we have courts of the first instance, then courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court which is the final in a country. Therefore, a matter can be pursued by the supreme, and once the court decided whether rightly or wrongly, the fate of those for whom the verdict is passed is sealed.

The only escape route or window of hope and freedom for a person whose crime has been established and convicted in a country like Nigeria is a state Pardon which Dariye and Nyame enjoyed yesterday. Remember, Ex-governor Deprieye Alaimeisigiya of Bayelsa of blessed memory enjoyed such pardon under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's regime in 2013 before he later died in 2015.

State Pardon is freedom from the penalty of crime. It is a metaphor for grace and freedom from the penalty of sin which is total condemnation. The benefit of Easter is the divine pardon that sinful men enjoy through the shameful death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When a state grants pardons for any criminal, the criminal stands free no matter how guilty or implicated the criminal is. That is how powerful a state Pardon can be. So also, when God grants man pardons from sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Easter), a man stands free, and free indeed, provided the guilty confessed and profess that Jesus is Lord and savior of the world.

The reason Christ came is explicitly stated in Isaiah 61:1 which says (concerning the coming of Jesus Christ), "The spirit of the Lord God has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound." That is just it!

The message of Easter is just one: Jesus Christ paid the supreme price for the redemption of mankind through his death and resurrection. We are, therefore, charged to appropriate the benefits of this generous act of benevolence of God by living to please God and service the greatest good of humanity through love. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves; give someone, and if possible everyone, a genuine and godly reason to smile today and always.

Ex-governor Dariye has gone through a lot. His life story as governor was featured with demeaning experiences of needless and illegal impeachment as well as a state of emergency. After serving as governor, he was convicted and imprisoned; his father was abducted twice while in prison and was subsequently killed by his abductors, some of whom were his kinsmen. His life has been knitted with a tangle of roses and thorns.

Chief Dariye has his dose of shortcomings but is certainly not the worst sinner to have gone through these traumatizing experiences as some pundits have insinuated. He has passed through fates this author cannot wish his worst enemies (if there are, actually, any such enemies). Anyway, sometimes life opens pages like that to test the strength of the mind of the victim of circumstances of life but nobody wishes to go through such a furnace. The good news though, is that Dariye went through scourging travails of this life and came out still himself: A strong mind and a generous Plateau son with high tempered steel to be a leader for all!

The State pardon of Dariye, the "Head boy of Plateau Politic" and others got and are enjoying today is a metaphor for hope to those who are incarcerated. It is hoped that when things get so bad; they can still come so good. It is a sign of hope that one can be behind bars today and be a free man tomorrow. It is also a sign of hope that being convicted and jailed is not the only story; one can be convicted jailed and then granted a State pardon. It is possible, it may be possible, as long as there is life, hope is not lost!

Dariye is free, free at last. I do not believe that he is the worst criminal before God and the Nigerian/Plateau State. We are all guilty, if not against man and the state, against God who created us all. We all need a pardon from man, state, and/or God the Ultimate Judge of the universe. Those, whom the state has pardoned, have no case to answer; those whom God has freed are free indeed!

I wish Plateau legend and former military administrator, JD Gomwalk of blessed memory had made the state pardon bonanza list, but he did not after about five decades of crying for posthumous justice. Anyway, congratulations to Sen. Joshua Dariye, Ex-governor Jolly Nyame, and all those affected on their State Pardon. Also, happy Easter celebration for mankind, the prime beneficiary of the grace of God through Jesus Christ. I love you all!

References

Nigeria Galleria (2021). Council of State of Nigeria. https://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Nigeria/Council-of-State.html. Retrieved April 15, 2021.

Nde David Victor Dimka fsi Mourns the Death of Statistician General of Nigeria

Nde David Victor Dimka fsi Mourns the Death of Statistician General of Nigeria

The leader of the DVD Movement in Plateau State, Nde David Victor Dimka fsi has expressed shock over the sudden demise of the   Statistician- General of tge Federation, Dr.Simon Harry.

The late Dr. Harry who is a very close friend of the governorship hopeful passed on yesterday after a protracted illness for some few months. 

"I have lost a friend and brother. One of the finest public servants from Plateau State who dedicated himself to service of this nation. Unfortunately he could not live long to give his best after being appointed by the President as Statistician -General of the country last year", he said.

The DVD leader has therefore expressed his condolences to the Executive  Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Simon Bako Lalong, the people of Plateau State and Bassa LGA over the unfortunate development. 

He prayed God to grant the deceased a peaceful rest.

It would be recalled that the deceased was appointed as Statiscian -General of the Federation by 

President Muhammadu Buhari after his predecessor,  Dr. Yemi Kale, completed his second term tenure of five years on August 16th, 2021.  

 Dr. Harry was the Director, Corporate Planning and Technical Coordination Department of Natiinal Bureau of Ststistics (NBS) with almost three decades of statistical experience. He joined the erstwhile Federal Office of Statistics as Statistician 11 in 1992 and rose to the position of a substantive Director of Statistics in 2019.

#DVD Media.

DVD SUSPENDS POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND ENGAGEMENTS

DVD SUSPENDS POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND ENGAGEMENTS

The Leader of DVD Movement in Plateau State, Nde Victor Dimka fsi, has directed that all Political engagements and consultations be suspended today, Monday April 11, 2022 with immediate effect. 

The decision was taken in view of yesterday's attack on some communities  by Bandits in Kanam Local Government Area and similar attack that took place last week in Bassa LGA, all in Plateau State where many residents were killed with several others injured.

In a release signed and issued by his Media Aide, Boniface Kassam, the DVD leader and Governorship hopeful said the suspension was to mourn with the families of the departed and condole with the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt.Hon.(Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, the Executive Chairmen of Kanam and Bassa Local Government Councils, and the good people of the two Local Government Areas.

He described the unfortunate development as one of the  most wicked and barbaric act ever experienced on the Plateau in recent times.

Nde David Victor Dimka fsi who expressed sadness also called on the government at all levels to ensure that the bandits who have been terrorizing innocent citizens especially in some  communities of the State are fished out and the law takes its course.

Recall that the DVD Campaign Team had scheduled to visit some Local Government Areas today, Monday, April 12, 2022. However,  normal activities of the Movement will resume tomorrow after today's suspension. 

#DVD Media.

DAYYABU GARGA CALLS FOR CALM, ASSURES SECURITY MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN

 DAYYABU GARGA CALLS FOR CALM, ASSURING THAT SECURITY MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN.

Executive Chairman of Kanam Local Government Council, Dr. Dayyabu Yusuf Garga says the Kanam

man is one of the most peaceful people on earth

He said history has never recorded a Kanam man attacking anyone for whatever reason.

He was reacting to calls put through to him by journalists over the recent attacks on some communities of the local government area leading to the destruction of lives and property.

Responding to the series of calls, Garga said those communities as well as others in the LGA are very receptive and accommodating as such was shocked at this kind of man's inhumanity to a fellow man and even destroying people's means of livelihood.

According to Dayyabu Garga "since the information got to me,I have made countless and ceaseless phone calls and explored so many means of communication with relevant stakeholders to have security support come to my people and reduce the carnage because the bandits were having a field day on harmless communities".

"As a Government, security of lives and property is topmost on our shelves as such, we stand by our people in this difficult time and encourage them to believe in the supremacy of the Almighty Allah".

The Chairman made it clear to Journalist that an official statement will be released once the relevant security agencies who have now responded in protecting those who fled the carnage are done with on the ground assessment.

The Chairman said the Local Authority in Kanam is already doing everything possible to cater for the injured that were brought to Dengi and other hospitals as he has directed they be given immediate medical attention at the instance of the Local Government.

Garga thanked the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong for further ensuring there is a quick intervention to reduce the level of destruction and have the people secured.

Dayyabu Garga said he has kept constant touch with stakeholders within those communities to ensure the people remain vigilant and report any suspected movements to the security agents on the ground.

DAYYABU GARGA COMMISERATES WITH VICTIMS OF RAIN/WINDSTORM IN KANAM LGA DIRECTS IMMEDIATE AID.

DAYYABU GARGA COMMISERATES WITH VICTIMS OF RAIN/WINDSTORMS IN KANAM LGA DIRECTS IMMEDIATE AID.

The Executive Chairman of Kanam Local GOVERNMENT Council, Dr. Dayyabu Yusuf Garga has

given marching orders to the department of social services of the LGA to move and ascertain the condition of citizens and property affected by the Rain and Windstorm that wreaked havoc in Dengi and some villages of the Local Government Area yesterday.

Garga who got news of the incident quickly inquired of the safety of the people and directed they be evacuated to safer areas while the next line of action is taken.

Responding to questions, the Chairman said already the Social Services Department of the LGA had visited the affected areas based on his directive while he has already contacted relevant agencies on the preliminary level of damage done and the need for an immediate visit and intervention.

He added that many citizens of the LGA have been rendered homeless having their roofs blown off completely while some have structures brought down as a result of the severity of the disaster.

Dayyabu Garga has commiserated with everyone that is affected and assured that plans are already on the way to assist in the best possible in these trying times.

He promised to liaise with relevant authorities within and outside the state to assist in coming to the aid of affected victims and give some reasonable comfort.

He encouraged those affected not to lose sight with the challenges of such a natural disaster but be optimistic that the days ahead will be better.

The Chairman said he is already in talks with some stakeholders of Kanam Local Government Area preparatory to undertaking a comprehensive visit tomorrow to also see and issue further directives.

He said for now there is normalcy while we look through the next line of action.

POLITICS OF ZONING AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN PLATEAU STATE

 POLITICS OF ZONING AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN PLATEAU STATE

One of the greatest cravings of developed and developing countries is to achieve good governance, which is a normative and administrative concept. The concept of good governance gained prominence in the 90s after the end of the cold war. The World Bank first adopted it as a condition for lending to developing countries like Nigeria.

There is no universally accepted definition of good governance, but several attempts have been made to conceptualize it. Good governance is concerned with the ability of government to create an atmosphere that promotes freedom of citizens to participate in government activities, accountability, and transparency in government and its decision-making process or processes, the application of the rule of law, and predictability of government actions (Udo, 2004). This conceptualization portrays good governance as a multifaceted government process.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)(2011) described good governance as referring to systems that are capable, responsive, inclusive, and transparent. This means good governance is more about institutional efficiency than individual capabilities. African Development Bank(AfDP)(2008) conceptualized good governance as the manner in which power is being exercised in the management of state affairs and relationships with other nations. This implies that good governance is all about better management of state resources and relationships with other states. It is a responsive government that is capable of promoting inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability in governance for the purpose of achieving holistic and sustainable development in a nation or state.

Amongst the major triggers of good governance are the leaders that will coordinate state affairs. There are various means through which leaders could emerge in a society. This means depends largely on the political culture of the people to which the leader pertains. The political culture of homogeneous societies significantly differs from that of heterogeneous (pluralistic) ones.

The political culture of heterogeneous societies is much more complex and unpredictable and could generate conflicts amongst the citizenry if not properly moderated by sound ethical, morals or laws.

Plateau state is a miniature Nigeria, a pluralistic society. In the perception of Lijphart (2008), ''A  pluralistic society is one that is sharply divided along religious, ideological, linguistic, cultural, ethnic or racial lines into virtually separate sub - societies with their own political parties, interest groups and media of communication. He further stated that usually such societies are polarized by ethnic differences and require careful power distribution and social engineering to avoid outright failure.

Some of the carefully crafted political power and resources distribution strategies, aimed at achieving political stability in a pluralistic society like Nigeria is the revenue share formula, federal character, and zoning system which shall be the focus of this discourse.

Zoning or zoning system is described in Nic, Eloise Sa'eed (2019), as "A political practice in Nigeria under which political parties agree to split their presidential and vice-presidential candidates between the north and south of the country and also to alternate the home area of the president between the north and south of the country." It is a gentleman power-sharing, shifting, or rotating agreement between power brokers in Nigeria.

The history of the origin of zoning practice in Nigeria is traceable to the Second Republic in 1979. This followed the return of democracy and the formation of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) which operated on the basis zoning principle which was designed to ensure that no part of the country was permanently excluded from power and that political parties were to maintain the national outlook at all times (Nic, Eloise, & Sa'eed, 2019).

In the course of time, the zoning system was replicated at regional (state) levels, although the implementation was not uniform and faithfully followed by the respective states.

Due to its heterogeneity, Plateau State was one of the states where zoning was embraced and is being sustained. There are three zones in the Plateau state, namely the northern, central, and Southern zones. In 1999 Plateau Central Zone produced the governor in the person of Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye with a Deputy Michael Botmang of blessed memory from the northern zone. After eight being in power for eight (8) years, the Northern zone took over in 2007 via Da David Jonah Jang with the deputy, Her Excellency (HE), Dame Pauline Tallen from the Southern Zone, and later Ignatius Lonjang who eventually became Senator of the Republic but died. The incumbent governor, Rt Hon. Dr. Simon Bako Lalong took off from the Southern Zone with a deputy from the Central Zone in the person of Prof. Sonny Gwanle Tyoden. This completed the first round with popular understanding that the next governor will come from the Plateau Central zone, thereby marking the beginning of a new round of zoning in the state.

It's important to note that the Southern Zone had Chief Solomon Daushep Lar of blessed memory in 1979 and Sir Fidelis Tapgun in the 90s and Late Joseph Dechi Gomwalk from the present Plateau Central under the military regime. The JD's regime cannot be factored into the analysis because there was no zoning in his days. More so, his administration was military and unconstitutional.

The task at hand is to examine the possible implications of the zoning system for governance in Plateau State going forward. This is necessary for the view of the current media hype on the issue. With the benefit of hindsight, the zoning system has not satisfactorily resulted in automatic good governance or rapid and sustainable development even in the zones the governors came from.

The main thesis of this discourse is that come 2023, the best chance for Plateau State is not in zoning opportunity, but to present our best to contest for the governorship seat of the state. When the state gets it wrong at the leadership recruitment level, every other effort made shall be of no valuable consequence!

At best, zoning could help in stabilizing the political space, but it might not guarantee the best leadership responsibilities. Give me just one example of a state that got it right in governance purely because of zoning arrangement and not the leadership capabilities of those saddled and I will be convinced!

After the election, zoning will not mean any good, but the capacity of the man on the saddle to deliver good governance to the people of the state and Nigeria. Therefore, the citizens must be objectively thorough in the screening and recruitment of those they want to govern them.

In screening and recruiting, here are some basic lead questions simulated to guide our choices:

1. Does he or she has the requisite experience to lead and govern under complex chaotic situations?

2. Does he or she has the courage and emotional stability to stay focused to confront our most daring security problems?

3. Does he or she has a strategic plan to change the fortune of the state from civil service to a business-oriented state?

4. Does he or she has the capability to crack the potential of the state in the area of tourism and entertainment, mining, and agriculture?

5. Does he or she has the stamina to unite, inspire and propel Plateau citizens to selflessly work for the greatest good of the greatest number? If the feedback you got from all or most of these questions is in the affirmative, then there is hope in the capacity of the contestant being examined.

Given its human and natural resource endowment, Plateau state is calibrated as a civil service state that has experienced ethno-religious and political conflict which occurs intermittently and has lasted since the return of democracy in 1999.

When we keep religious sentiments aside, denominational differences aside, tribal sentiments or biases aside, and class sentiments aside, there is no limit to the greatness we can achieve as a state.

We have the capacity to collectively change the narrative and put the state on the steady path of inclusive growth and sustainable development.

It was Frantz (1963) who wrote, "Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it." As a people, we must consciously discover what we want and settle for it. The task of making Plateau Work well is a collective responsibility that we cannot afford to betray!

Politics is a decision-sensitive endeavour. Using it objectively could be an instrument for a holistic liberation. Like cataracts, however, it could also make blind and become the lead way to serfdom when played with counterproductive and biased sentiments or considerations. It is in this light that Harbhajan Turbanator,  a Twitter handler on November 9, 2017, tweeted: 'Cataract is the third biggest cause of blindness after Religion and Politics which remained the first two.' If a state must get it right, citizens must watch the brand of politics, they play and the religious sentiments the whip.

Citizens especially political actors cannot afford to fan flame, tribal and/or religious biases for the purpose of achieving political power and influence and, at the same time, serve as a rallying point for all. Credible leadership starts and ends with being fair to all before, during, and after elections.

With or without zoning, the greatest chance for Plateau prosperity is imbedded in the extent to which the citizenry is objective in searching and saddling the best possible man, whether he or she be from the sun, moon, or stars. I don't care if he is from the southern hemisphere, North Pole, or the equator. What matters is achieving good governance and development.

Good politics, which could guarantee good governance is the prime focus here. Political stability occasioned by the practice of a zoning system is one of the most cherished gains of participatory democracy but certainly not all that there is to gain in Politics. A stable political system that suffocates from bad governance is an accident waiting to happen. God forbid!

 Reference

Lijphart, A. (2008). Thinking about democracy: Power sharing and majority rule in theory and practice. New York: Routledge.

Frantz, F. (1963). The wretched of the earth. New York: Grove Press.

Nic, C., Eloise, B. & Sa'eed, H.(2019). A dictionary of African politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Harbhajan, T. (2017). Cataracts. Twitter: @harbhajan_Singh.

Clerk H. (2011). United nation development report: Sustainability and equity: A better future for all. New York: UNDP.

Udo, E. S. (ed)(2014).  Defining good governance: The conceptual competition is on. WZB Discussion Paper No. 2004 - 005.

AfDB (2008). Governance, strategic direction and action plan: Gap 2008 -2012. AfDB.

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, May 20, 2021, for SMS: 08116181263)