SENATOR Buruji Kashamu is a household name in Nigeria. Currently, he is the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly and Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration. At an interactive session with some journalists, he spoke on a wide range of issues, including the ongoing anti-corruption campaign of the Federal Government, among others. Excerpts:
What are your views on the nation’s state of affairs?
A new government just came on board and it is barely eight months old. So, it might be too early to rightly assess it. But, given that it is generally said that the morning makes the day, the concern and disapproval that are being expressed over some activities of the current government are understandable. However, we also do know that history is replete with those who had a wobbly start and ended well, and vice versa. For instance, we had the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), who were elected governors of Lagos and Ogun states respectively. Despite the challenges they had at the beginning of their administrations, they did so well in their first tenure so much that the masses began to call for their re-election which they got.
Nigeria as a member of the global community is challenged by a number of socio-political issues that are largely influenced by happenings internally and externally. Some of these happenings are sudden glitches that are wildly beyond the control of the government. In my recent contribution on the state of the nation, I underscored the fact that governance is collaboration between the leadership and the led. It requires the unreserved resourcefulness of the leaders and the led for the desired results to be achieved.
Although I am a leader in my own right, I am also a man under authority. So, this time I am speaking to the masses as a leader who shares their feelings and yearnings. I was not born with a silver spoon. I know what it means to be hungry. I have experienced lack of the basic necessities of life. I have felt the pangs of denial, subjugation and oppression. I know from experience and interactions with the masses what they feel. That is why I consider myself as one of those who can talk to them in the language they will understand, and see reason with me.
A few honest columnists and commentators have shown genuine concern about the state of affairs in our country and also offered credible alternatives. Yet, a good number of the other comments are driven by primordial partisan interest. Those who criticize must do so with a deep sense of responsibility, just as those who govern must do so with the fear of the Almighty Allah.
The task to comply with the policies and directives is one that must be done by all Nigerians. Government succeeds through compliance. And the compliance must be spontaneous or lawfully negotiated if need be. This is because in the past, brilliant policies failed not necessarily because they were faulty but because compliance was not spontaneously given or lawfully negotiated.
It is for this simple reason that I want to reiterate the need for well-meaning Nigerians to offer ideas that will enhance the efforts of the government at making life better for the generality of the people.Criticisms without progressive ideas lend credence to what a US politician, James Clarke, said about politicians when he said, “A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation”. Once a politician is elected, he is no longer the leader of his political party. He becomes the leader of the people within and outside his party. He becomes the leader of those in the ruling party, those in the opposition and non-politicians alike. The elections and campaigns are over. Now, we must creatively solve today’s problems in a manner that creates a sustainable future for our children.
By the grace of the Almighty Allah, I will continue to support initiatives that will move Nigeria forward despite being a member of the opposition party. For the past 16 years, our political space has been dominated by office holders who literally emasculated the party once elected. They equated themselves with the party and literally became the party such that the platform was subjected to their whims and caprices. Therefore, the party could not be held responsible for whatever the person did or did not do.
Truth is, we are at a crossroads and we must decisively choose the path that encourages inclusiveness in governance because that is the only way to effectively fast-track the much-needed development. The people must participate and ultimately own the process that will lead to national recovery and growth. Rather than rue over our situation, we all must light our candles and illuminate our various corners for the progress and success of our dear country.
The anti-corruption campaign has been the major issue since President Buhari came on board. What is your take on the fight?
We should be patient with the government and perform our civic responsibilities as patriotic citizens. For instance, I endorse the ongoing anti-corruption campaign. It is one effort that must be supported by all and sundry irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations. My support for the ongoing anti-corruption campaign is neither meant to rubbish anyone, curry favour from any quarters nor join the ruling party. My support for the anti-graft campaign is borne out of my genuine desire to stand up for what is right, just and equitable in order for the masses to weigh whatever I say and be able to take informed decisions rather than being brainwashed. For, as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Naturally, the current anti-corruption campaign would affect a lot of those who played active roles in the immediate past administration, especially at the federal level. Therefore, it is only normal for the government of the day to first clear the Augean stable before settling down for the onerous task of governance. In the course of doing that, if anybody’s name is found in the books, the anti-graft agencies have a duty to do their job. But, such a job must be done, according to the Rule of Law. It is only the court that can say whether someone is guilty or not. Indeed, it is an aberration for a creation of the law to violate the law.
Yet, if the truth must be told, within the short time that this anti-corruption campaign began, there are positive results to show that the government is on track. The President rode to office on account of his integrity and goodwill. No matter what anybody says, his integrity is intact. He is a focused President whose body language is making treasury looters shiver and return their loot to the government’s coffers. Put simply, his anti-corruption record is infallible. In view of the dwindling oil revenue, we need all the money we can get to fix our infrastructure and develop our economy.