In a recent interview, a dyed-in-the-wool stalwart and Chairman of People’s Democratic Party in Niger State, Barrister Tanko Beji, reminded us of the lack of remorse that has become a common trait of the politicians responsible for the ruins of this nation and the consequent sufferings their decisions have brought upon us.
In the said interview, he found it convenient to attack both the leadership and personality of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, employing unprintable words to discredit the very candidate who terminated their reign of reckless financial mismanagement and scandals in Niger State.
Tanko Beji was a part of the political structure that dragged us into this mess. He’s served as a member of the executive of the PDP, and has been actively involved in their activities for the past 16 years in Niger State. In all of these years, our man, who’s suddenly become a delusional voice of conscience, did not find it wise to preach the essence of good governance. He partook in the organised crime that is the style of PDP, and for everybody who’s lived in Niger State or has followed its politics, you don’t need to ask further to realise how much Tanko Beji gained from the free-for-all sharing of our commonwealth by the PDP.
Unlike many of his accomplices, Beji’s transformation from an obscure lawyer into a mega-rich party executive is something he didn’t even feel guilty showing off to the very Nigerlites they dispossessed and denied the promised welfare and implementation of their electoral pledges. Beji is known for erecting conspicuous structures in Minna to restate his rise through those tragic 16 years his party held us to standstill, destroying lives and dashing hopes of innocent Nigerlites.
Beji’s audacity to come out and dictate how a state is run may turn into a lamentation when Governor Bello is done with his forensic audit of the past administration in which he is a key actor. It’s obvious that the PDP stalwart mistakes the Governor’s caution in tracking and documenting evidences of financial transgressions for neglect of the cause. The reports of the committees set up by the Governor are ready and being harmonised for submission to the anti-graft agencies. Because the Governor, in adhering to the rule of law, would not tread the path of the PDP by playing the role of the judiciary.
What is even more heartbreaking is, for a state so mercilessly robbed by his party, Beji found a voice to point out that Niger State didn’t need a bailout from the federal government. It is quite sad how an individual will go bending facts simply to regain an already lost honour. Governor Bello inherited a mess created by Tanko Beji’s party, and it must be emphasised that neither him nor his party is a model to this government and the All Progressives Congress. They had their time, and they the betrayed the people and left them even worse than they met them when they took over from the military governments in 1999.
May Allah continue to protect Niger State from those against its growth and development.
By Abdullberqy U Ebbo, Senior Special Assistant on Information and Communication Technology to Niger State Governor
