by Tim Maiyaki
The appointment of a cabinet minister in a politically charged polity, such as obtainable in Nigeria today, which is also at the threshold of an election, pregnant with myriad intrigues and interests ever known in the annals of its history, can never be a regular exercise.
More particularly, the President and commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR), cannot afford to toy with such a sensitive and all-important political exercise at a time the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is witnessing some crisis inspired by either national or selfish interests (time shall tell which is) and his transformation agenda being dearest to his heart, given its overall relevance in the run up to the almighty 2015 general elections, should he decide to throw his hat into the ring. However, he hasn’t declared any intent yet, but has received far too many bashing for not declaring either to or not to. Be that as it may, novices and political paperweights will only be a drag and needless political excess luggage the President cannot afford at this material time.
Therefore, given that the president’s choice of a minister to fill Kaduna State’s quota at the Federal Executive council cannot, should not and must not be outside the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District of Kaduna state, owing to the fact that the region is extremely suited in terms of political relevance in view of its formidable electioneering unity and direction. And in addition, the present skewed political power spread, that has seen the region adversely and irredeemably short-changed since the death of late, Sir. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of blessed memory - something needing immediate remedying. Hence, without usurping in anyway, the powers of the President, it therefore becomes imperative and behoves on one to authoritatively say that such a move will be one of Mr. President’s shrewdest political decision lately, and will in turn guarantee the unalloyed loyalty of the southern Kaduna people, an uncompromising support Mr. President’s party (PDP) has uninterruptedly enjoyed since 1999 till date.
In view of the above and in a bit to put square pegs into square holes, while apparently eschewing the temptation of calling a spade a shovel, The Senior special adviser on special duties to president Goodluck Jonathan, in the office of the vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria, the distinguish Senator. Isaiah Balat readily comes to mind. As an astute businessman and administrator per excellence, seasoned Senator (2003 to 2007), a minister of the Federal Republic during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime and the ‘governor’ Kaduna State never had, no thanks to Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s anti-Southern Kaduna last minute schemes during the party primaries elections of 2007. Balat, stands out tall amongst peers to not only be a minister for the name, but to assist both the President and even Kaduna State governor (Alh. Ramalan Yero) in achieving their political dreams as far as Southern Kaduna and Kaduna state entirely is concerned. Balat has been on both business and political scene. From his days as the chairman of Kaduna State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to his several concerns in the oil and gas sector. Not to mention also, his several roles in governance.
As a onetime minister and Senator with many developmental projects to show for in his kitty as evident all over his immediate constituency, state and the country at large (too numerous to mention), it will be mischievous to expect him to begin to learn the ropes of being a minister or administrator, but instead hit the ground running with his vast experience - something Mr. President dearly needs. His ability to mobilise the electorates and garner supports for both the present state government of Kaduna State and Jonathan’s administration is unequalled and unrivalled by any other in contemporary Southern Kaduna. Therefore, it will be apt, beneficial and timely for Mr. President to employ experienced hands in his drive to both cover grounds in his transformation agenda and to secure the needed support for his 2015 election bid (Should he decide to contest).
Finally, the country is in a state of political limbo a la coma at the emergency ward, requiring the expert blades of ace political surgeons, who will effortlessly achieve monumental political milestones with every thrust, turn and twist of the blade and not some fresh men needing tutelage over time, which we don’t have the luxury of.
Therefore, given that the president’s choice of a minister to fill Kaduna State’s quota at the Federal Executive council cannot, should not and must not be outside the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District of Kaduna state, owing to the fact that the region is extremely suited in terms of political relevance in view of its formidable electioneering unity and direction. And in addition, the present skewed political power spread, that has seen the region adversely and irredeemably short-changed since the death of late, Sir. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of blessed memory - something needing immediate remedying. Hence, without usurping in anyway, the powers of the President, it therefore becomes imperative and behoves on one to authoritatively say that such a move will be one of Mr. President’s shrewdest political decision lately, and will in turn guarantee the unalloyed loyalty of the southern Kaduna people, an uncompromising support Mr. President’s party (PDP) has uninterruptedly enjoyed since 1999 till date.
In view of the above and in a bit to put square pegs into square holes, while apparently eschewing the temptation of calling a spade a shovel, The Senior special adviser on special duties to president Goodluck Jonathan, in the office of the vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria, the distinguish Senator. Isaiah Balat readily comes to mind. As an astute businessman and administrator per excellence, seasoned Senator (2003 to 2007), a minister of the Federal Republic during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime and the ‘governor’ Kaduna State never had, no thanks to Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s anti-Southern Kaduna last minute schemes during the party primaries elections of 2007. Balat, stands out tall amongst peers to not only be a minister for the name, but to assist both the President and even Kaduna State governor (Alh. Ramalan Yero) in achieving their political dreams as far as Southern Kaduna and Kaduna state entirely is concerned. Balat has been on both business and political scene. From his days as the chairman of Kaduna State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to his several concerns in the oil and gas sector. Not to mention also, his several roles in governance.
As a onetime minister and Senator with many developmental projects to show for in his kitty as evident all over his immediate constituency, state and the country at large (too numerous to mention), it will be mischievous to expect him to begin to learn the ropes of being a minister or administrator, but instead hit the ground running with his vast experience - something Mr. President dearly needs. His ability to mobilise the electorates and garner supports for both the present state government of Kaduna State and Jonathan’s administration is unequalled and unrivalled by any other in contemporary Southern Kaduna. Therefore, it will be apt, beneficial and timely for Mr. President to employ experienced hands in his drive to both cover grounds in his transformation agenda and to secure the needed support for his 2015 election bid (Should he decide to contest).
Finally, the country is in a state of political limbo a la coma at the emergency ward, requiring the expert blades of ace political surgeons, who will effortlessly achieve monumental political milestones with every thrust, turn and twist of the blade and not some fresh men needing tutelage over time, which we don’t have the luxury of.
WeeklyTrust
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