Alhaji Bashir Tofa is a businessman and politician. He came to
limelight when he contested the 1993 presidential election with the
late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, in an
election adjudged free and fair, but annulled by the military. Abiola
was believed to have won the poll. In this interview, Tofa thinks the
level of corruption in the country is sickening and, as such, believes
that President Muhammadu Buhari is on the right path as he fights the
ill head-long irrespective of the hues and cries that the fight is
selective.
He takes a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, for its
condemnation of the Federal Government and the judiciary over the on
going election tribunal judgments, saying only fools make accusations
without proof.
What is your impression so far about the Buhari government in the light of the confirmed ministers?
I think, on the whole, President Buhari has done well and that is
expected. Anybody who enters a house and just begins to live in it
without checking the structure and the leakages and doing something to
do some repair, that house may collapse on him if it is structurally
deficient. President Buhari now knows more about the condition of the
house,he is making some repairs, strengthening some pillars, blocking
some leakages, and can now be said to be ready to settle down and do
what is needful. Hopefully, the ministers will be given their portfolios
by mid-November; they will quickly move to their ministries, examine
things, review the draft budgets for their ministries; a final budget
will be agreed upon by the Executive Council and presented to the
National Assembly – all before the end of December. Hopefully, the
National Assembly will not waste time, knowing the poor state of the
nation.
The PDP senators walked out of the chamber in protest against
the confirmation of former River Governor Rotimi Amaechi.What do you
make of the drama?
Well, it was just the normal mischief and envy by those who fear
Amaechi becoming a minister, after two successful terms as governor of
Rivers State. Surely, he has enemies and, if you noticed, objections
that are received in respect of some of the nominees were from their
home states. Remember what Jesus (peace be upon him) said: “A prophet
is not popular in his own country”. But Rotimi Amaechi is a good man,
hard working and friendly to those who know him well. Again, he was
right about the rigged elections in Rivers State. The tribunal has
vindicated him.
The Buhari government appears serious about fighting
corruption as seen in the CCT prosecution of Senate President Bukola
Saraki and a former Minister of the Niger Delta,Elder Orubebe. Do you
think the drive can be sustained given that previous governments got
enmeshed in the corruption they preached against?
The government is serious about fighting all corruption cases that
are known, and is digging deep into investigating those that are
suspected to have played some roles, so the investigation is essentially
to find the truth. The level of corruption in Nigeria is beyond greed,
it is a sickness. But, we all demand that due process has to be followed
and justice done to each case, whether it was a matter of suspicion or
it was actually done. People are worried about Senator Bukola’s case,
because it appears he is the only former governor accused of this
particular serious crime. Investigators will do well to show that it is
not so and to spread their searchlight on others, otherwise the
impression will be justified. In any case, care needs to be taken so as
not to go beyond the limits.
Some people have said the Senate President’s prosecution by
the CCT is more of witch-hunting than fighting corruption. What is your
impression?
That is exactly what I have just said. But I will not call it
witch-hunting, because all witches need to be hunted down before they
suck the life out of everyone. I will rather call it a vendetta against
opponents. We wish that is not the case in respect of Senator Bukola
Saraki.
Do you think the December deadline given by the Federal
Government to the military to get rid of the Boko Haram terrorists is
feasible?
Deadlines may be a little too risky for missions like this,
especially where there is insufficient intelligence and preparation at
the time they were given. But any endeavour to which no time frame is
set for result is not a serious endeavour. Having said this, we must
not forget that the President was a general and a Commander who actually
fought wars in Congo. He knows exactly what he is doing and why he gave
such a deadline. Gladly, we still have two months to the end of
December, and, by the grace of God, we will see tremendous success
before then. The military is now ready and motivated and morale is very
high. We pray they beat the deadline.
The election tribunal judgments have been trailed by mixed feelings. Is there any of the judgments that surprised you and why?
No. I wish the judges well, and hope justice will always be done in each case.
The PDP has said the APC-led Federal Government is using the
judiciary to procure judgments for it which some people believe is mere
political talk as claimed by the APC Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed,
as it is not backed with facts.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed is absolutely right. Only fools make accusations
without proof. I suggest the judiciary views this accusation with
serious anger.
Do you think the marginalization song by the South-east, particularly in this Buhari government, is valid?
I have not heard any sensible and responsible Igbo man making such
accusations. It was just the ranting of some fanatics, who always want
us to see ourselves in tribal and religious garbs. After all these
years together, it is a shame that we are still unable to shed these
identities and become Nigerians. The more we continue this way, the more
harm we inflict on our national unity and progress. I am sure
President Buhari’s main consideration is not WHO a person is, but WHAT
that person can deliver to the Nigerian people. I have long advocated
that we must stop being a country of “You know WHO, but a country of you
know WHAT’.
You have been unusually quiet. Why this ‘sidon look’ posture?
Any reason behind it and don’t you think we may end up being
disappointed about Buhari’s ministers because we are expecting too much
from them?
Well, there are people who talk because they have to talk. And,
there are others who talk because they must talk. I am of the latter. On
President Buhari’s ministerial choices, there are of course those who
are excellent and those who are good. But we will not know for sure
until we see their performance in due course. I will only advise that
the ministers be told that their appointment is on probationary period
of one year. They will be assessed after the first six months and
either be warned or encouraged. The second assessment will be at the end
of their first year in office. Those who do not perform or are found
wanting must go. President Buhari, with all the expectations on him,
local and international, cannot afford lazy, unimaginative and greedy
ministers who do not perform.
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