BORNO STATE The dividends of democracy Borno State
Governor Modu Ali
Democracy BORNO STATE Day– history on display
Democracy Day in Nigeria has been celebrated every year since 1999. It marks the return of democracy throughout the country. Every state chooses its own way of marking the occasion, and in Borno State the uniqueness of the celebration is enhanced by the rich cultural heritage of the people. Sadiq Adamu and Ben Asante report. Borno State is inhabited mainly by the Kanuri, the Shuwa, Babur and Fulani, and they are proud of their history and colourful cultural heritage. The symbols of these are always displayed during ceremonies and celebrations, and Democracy Day is no exception. This year, however, Democracy Day, on 29 May, was special. As early as 8am, all the roads leading to Ramat Square in Maiduguri, the state capital, were crowded with people Governor Ali Modu from all walks of life, heading for the venue Sheriff. Opposite of the event. page: The governor They came from all parts of the state and his wife with – from Bayo to Bama, and Askira/uba to other dignitaries Malam Fatori. Many of them admitted that including deputy they had come because this was likely to governor Alhaji be the last opportunity to interact with the Shetima Dibral, state governor, Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, (fourth from who was going to give account of his three- left), attending year stewardship. Democracy Day. Outside Ramat Square, lorry loads of people disembarked in a vast park “Once again government has a human face. Again, we could speak of government as the father of all. This indeed is a remarkable time in the history of Borno State.”
reserved for occasions like this. Many of had set the tone for the main event. As people of the state were benefiting from the people came on foot, while others hundreds of flags of the ruling party in the the dividends of democracy. came on horseback. There were also state, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), The high point of the event came federal, state and local government the main opposition party in Nigeria, when Governor Sheriff rose to thunderous functionaries, and other VIPs. A special fluttered in the morning breeze alongside applause. He recalled the efforts made by stand accommodated traditional rulers, led the national flag, the mood of joy and various pro-democracy groups to enthrone by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Mustapha fulfilment was unmistakable. democracy in the country. The governor Umar El-Kanemi. They were joined by There had never been such a big explained his reasons for joining party their counterparts from the Republics of gathering in recent years, and Bulama politics in 1990, saying this was informed by Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Umar, a 70-year-old man who resides in the the need to serve his people. The palace attendants of the palace of the Shehu of Borno, said he had The main thrust of his policy, he traditional rulers, known as Dogaris, lined never witnessed such a ceremony in his said, was to focus on rural development, up in front of the huge crowd, resplendent entire lifetime. provision of water, health facilities, in their flowing green and red gowns. The ceremony proper commenced education, agriculture and industry as A few minutes before 10am, Governor when the secretary of state, Ahmed Baba well as ensuring the security of life and Sheriff, dressed in a splendid, light blue Jidda, a former ambassador to Burkina Faso, property. “babariga” (the traditional gown of the asserted in the opening remarks that the These areas of interest had continued northern peoples) drove into the square return of democracy had opened a new to be considered the topmost priorities and was welcomed with a mighty roar chapter in the history of the state. He said since he came to office in 2003, he said. of voices, shouting “2007 sai S-A-S!”, that the election of Sheriff brought back Apart from celebrating the victory of reminding him of his 2007 presidential compassion and mercy to the process of popular democratic rule over military campaign. governance. According to him, “Once again autocracy in the governance of Nigeria, This incredible outpouring of government has a human face. Again, we Sheriff said, “This is also a day to take stock salutations took many dignitaries by could speak of government as the father of of the gains made under democratic rule surprise because it indicated clearly the all. This indeed is a remarkable time in the and to resolve to consolidate such gains support of the masses. This ceremony had history of Borno State.” with a view to making further progress in not been billed as a campaign event, but it For the first time in the 30-year the collective effort to improve the living was in all but name. history of the state, the welfare of the conditions of our people.” The Shehu of Borno had asked for people has become the central concern At the end of his address, the applause a colourful durbar to mark the seventh of government. Jidda outlined the and shouts of affirmation of support, Democracy Day, the third year of good achievements of Governor Sheriff’s made it clear that next year’s celebration, governance by Sheriff, and the 30th administration in the last three years in which should also mark the installation anniversary of the creation of Borno State the areas of housing, provision of potable of a newly elected governor, will likely be in 1976. water, health care delivery, educational led once again by Ali Modu Sheriff not The durbar attracted hundreds of development, poverty alleviation as an outgoing governor but as the first horses and professional jockeys from all programme and road construction. He said incumbent to be returned in the history of around the state for a massive display. This that more than at any time in the past the the state. l ‘The people BORNO STATE are happy with the government’
In this interview, Governor Ali Modu Sheriff talks about the dividends of democracy and what his government has achieved since coming into office. “The people are happy with the government,” he says, “because in Borno State, you know when the people don’t want you… they will express their dissatisfaction.” Excerpts:
New African: What is the main purpose of asking your people to assemble each year and celebrate “Democracy Day”? Governor Ali Modu Sheriff: We’ve been elected to serve the people of Borno for four years, and at the end of the fourth year there is either a revalidation of this mandate or the people reject that proposal and elect another candidate. For this reason, at the end of each of the first Governor Sheriff: three years that I have held the office of “The people state governor, we have called our people recognise that together to review our leadership and we have kept our determine whether we still retain their faith promise to the and enjoy their support. We want to see electorate.” for ourselves whether we have impacted positively or otherwise on their lives. Opposite page: A When you ask the people to assemble colourful display and they do so willingly, it indicates that from some of the they are happy with the leadership. If they state’s women were not, they would decline the invitation. citizens By calling them together to celebrate “Democracy Day”, it is perhaps the best way to gauge the feelings of the people and much more clean water for the state, up people came! As for defections, our party I, as a politician, want to see if I am still in from two million gallons a day when we has received more defectors from the touch and in tune with the people who started to over six million gallons today. ruling PDP party at the Federal level; and elected me. Clean water and improved sanitation have here where the PDP is in opposition the From what I have seen, I am a helped us in eliminating disease. AANP has received many more defected very happy man. I believe the people We have also increased the number opposition people, including the current recognise that we have kept our of hospitals in the state and undertaken secretary to the government and the promise to the electorate in terms of a comprehensive programme of social former minority leader of the opposition. the development programmes we are and infrastructural development that has In addition, we have had the real currently implementing and those already improved the quality of life of our people. I voters come over from the other side to our completed. We may not have done am confident that when the UN returns to side. They have the capacity to mobilise everything we might have wished, but the Borno State, they will review their figures. other people in large numbers. people of Borno have clearly demonstrated to us that they are satisfied with the NA: If you are doing so much, why are NA: Some PDP opposition members progress already made, and they are you not publicising the positive changes in Borno State say you are too close encouraging us to do more. that have taken place? to President Obasanjo even though Sheriff: I am not publicising our you are not a member of his party, and NA: Yet, you must be aware that the achievements because what we do here you largely agree with the president’s United Nations has classified Borno is for the benefit of the people of Borno policies, including the abortive attempt State as the poorest state in the world in State, and it is for them to judge. I welcome to amend the national constitution. terms of human development indices. the opposition using the newspapers to How do you react to these comments? Sheriff: I want the UN to return to express their point of view, but when the Sheriff: Chief Obasanjo is not the Borno State to reassess the situation. The media gives the opposition a platform, president of the PDP. He is the president criteria it uses to measure development it is only right that they should see for of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and indices and economic growth are based themselves the situation on the ground, therefore the president of all Nigerians. on many factors, including the state of and write balanced, objective reports. I respect the president of Nigeria and I infrastructure as well as the health and respect President Obasanjo. He is first hygiene of the people. We did not have, NA: Talking of the opposition, of late and foremost an elder statesman and before now, adequate sanitation and there have been a number of high president of the country. If my respect and drainage and these shortcomings caused profile defections from Borno State’s agreement with some of his policies are many preventable diseases. AANP ruling party. People are saying being construed as a weakness, then I want To address the problem, over the last Governor Sheriff is losing support, yet to tell the opposition that they are making two years we have constructed boreholes we saw thousands of people come to a great mistake. and provided piped water for many more celebrate Democracy Day. Was it a vote The politics of Borno State are played people. Our first year in office was spent of confidence in your leadership? out here and I don’t pay that much largely in court in litigation, but in the Sheriff: Let me correct you. What you attention to those who sit in their offices in second and third years we have provided saw was not thousands – over two million Abuja, and when asked what is happening
“I am not publicising our achievements because what we do here is for the benefit of the people of Borno State, and it is for them to judge.” BORNO STATE
“I believe that the country will remain united and strong. Whatever its shortcomings, Nigeria will always be a great country. It is Nigeria’s destiny to be a great nation.“
in Borno State, begin to tell you specious the courage to do something about a break up. I believe that the country will stories. If you want to know what is the constitution like ours, which has flaws, to remain united and strong. Whatever its politics of Borno State, I recommend that help bring about a permanent solution. I shortcomings, Nigeria will always be a you come to meet us here, on the ground, still believe in constitutional amendments great country. It is Nigeria’s destiny to be a to get a true understanding of the situation. for Nigeria. great nation.
NA: Certain developments earlier this NA: Do you agree that the call for a NA: In the wake of the recent resignation year, starting with the attempt to rotation of the presidency among of the entire national executive amend the constitution and the idea Nigeria’s different geo-political zones committee of the ANPP, why did you, as of a third term, are largely perceived hardly enhances democratic choice, and chief executive of Borno State, have to as threats to democracy. As a former the country may not necessarily get act as the interim chairman of the ANPP senator, a member of previous the most competent person as head of party for almost three months, until the constitutional assemblies and chief state? recent convention to elect new party executive holding office under the Sheriff: Nigeria is a peculiar country. officers? current constitution, how did you view Not only is it the most populous black Sheriff: The constitution of our party these developments? nation in the world but it is multi-religious dictates that three months before the Sheriff: People talked about a third and its regions are composed of many convention to elect national officers, there term but I talked about constitutional ethnic groups. It is almost impossible to should be a caretaker committee in place, amendments. Amendments are necessary talk of every ethnic group having a go at led by one of the state governors. I am the because there are a number of flaws in our the presidency. second governor to man the post since the current constitution. I have pretty good We are still trying to find a formula that founding of the party, after my colleague experience in the making of the constitution makes everyone belong and have a feeling the governor of Zamfara. for this country, and am therefore quite of ownership through justice, equity and The party rules say the offices being aware of what needs to be done. Of late, fairness. We believe it is easier to make contested for should be vacant, and that there has been a lot of debate that the next the choice between the larger North and the party itself should be under the interim president should come from this or that part the larger South, for each of these two chairmanship of a state governor who is of the country, with the North demanding larger zones is made up of many groups. not contesting any of the vacant offices. the presidency as against the South-South They have more than enough competent This ensures a level playing field. The and the South-East. individuals who can be elected president process has always worked for us, and just To date, these have been largely PDP and lead all of us as Nigerians. last month, our rejuvenated party – led proposals and debates, but many people by myself, and my colleague Governor have talked about it. The Ibos, for example, NA: Why are some people apprehensive Adamu Aliero serving as the chairman want extra states created for them, to equal about the future of Nigeria? They say of the convention planning committee the number of states in other ethnic zones, the country is prone to violence; that - successfully staged the election of the and there is the constant argument about things are not working and so on. new national executives (led by the the control of oil and gas resources as Sheriff: No true patriotic Nigerian former speaker of the Federal House of well as growing talk about control of solid would wish a country of this size and Representatives, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke) mineral resources. These are constitutional importance like ours anything other than at a meeting in Abuja. The election was issues. As a leader, one should have wellbeing. I don’t believe that Nigeria will an open, free and fair voting process in The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Mustapha Umar El-Kanemi, (middle photo), immersed in watching Democracy Day activities (pictured left and right) which thousands of our members from the 27 Local Government Areas. In terms be with the people for the people to follow across the country participated. The voting of housing development, my target is to you. The sky is the limit when the people lasted over 48 hours, and was watched on build over 2,000 units before the end of are happy with you. nationwide TV. my term of office. We have also been able to construct roads and drainage networks NA: How is your poverty alleviation plan NA: Would the ANPP, which you describe in all major towns, and repaired and built working? as ‘rejuvenated’, be able to take power more schools and hospitals. I don’t believe Sheriff: We have been working hard at the Federal level from the PDP? there is any Local Government Area we on poverty reduction. All along, this has Sheriff: Politics is very dynamic. Some have not touched. been the goal of our social development seven years ago, the ANPP [then the APP] efforts. We have tried to empower our was in a position to win but many strange NA: What makes your followers so people, especially the women and the things happened and we lost. Now we are ecstatic? poor. Just recently we organised the in an even better position to take power as Sheriff: On Democracy Day, I said people in Local Government Areas into we are more focused and fully mobilised to them the government had spent so co-operatives, and government funds from the grassroots up. Beyond that we are much money and energy on building were provided through the banks, at times prepared to protect our votes. infrastructure that I was now asking their directly, for the people to borrow and use permission to turn our attention to poverty to improve their economic situation. We NA: What do you think would make alleviation. They responded by saying this are providing extension services, and our Nigeria work? was what they wanted. Truly the people are trained officers provide support and advice Sheriff: Nigerians should recognise happy with the government. to cottage industries and individuals in self- that when they have a leader who is able Here in Borno State, you know when employment. to perform, it is crucial that they should the people don’t want you. You can stay support him regardless of where the in your own home for two years but once NA: As a governor of a Nigerian state leader comes from. We need to change you come out the people will express their bordering three countries – Cameroon, the attitude that “unless it is me, any other dissatisfaction. I hardly use my official car, Niger and Chad – you seem to have person must come down”. This attitude is yet people know when I am going to the additional responsibilities in keeping not good for national development. We office everyday. good relations with your neighbours. have to have a healthy culture to work for Borno politics is totally different from Sheriff: Peaceful relations are a the country. other places. For example, nobody can sit tremendous benefit, otherwise many in Abuja and determine what goes on here. complex security problems could arise NA: Turning back to Borno State, your It’s not possible. What is unique about requiring President Obasanjo and the government is engaged in health care, Borno is that you are expected to show the Federal government to intervene. But education, water supplies, agriculture, dividends of democracy if you are to carry that’s not necessary if we are able to infrastructure and housing. Last year, the people along with you. And you must resolve any difficulties at the local level. you completed 777 housing units and let people know what you are doing. The governor of the neighbouring precinct you promised to do more. What has Unless you understand this, you are in Cameroon, for example, is my personal changed since then? finished. The people would not only vote friend. Similarly, I have very cordial Sheriff: The government has since you out of office, they would make it relationships with the governors of the constructed a further 505 housing units, difficult for you to walk out of your house neighbouring precincts in Niger and Chad. and a further 20 units are being built in all onto the street. In Borno State, you must There have been tremendous benefits. l We are making BORNO STATEprogress ın all fields
“I have no excuse for not performing, because the people have shown me love. I equally have to return it to them,” says a happy Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Report by Lindsay Barett.
It is widely agreed that no other state The improvements a 300-bed hospital at Bulunkutu, a suburb government in Borno, with the possible One critical area of need is the provision of Maiduguri. exception of Mohammed Goni’s of potable water for both human and As districts across the state had between 1979 and 1983, has made such a livestock use. This is a particular problem previously been deprived of such facilities, significant and positive impact on for Borno State with its difficult terrain four new hospitals are also being built in the lives of the people as Senator Ali and deepwater table. It had, over the Askira, Chibok, Briyel and Rann. In addition, Sheriff’s. But Goni’s administration had years, suffered an acute shortage of water more than a dozen comprehensive health five years to deliver improvements, Sheriff before Sheriff’s government took over. centres have been built across the state, has had just three years since his election Immediately, the new governor set about allowing several health projects to be in 2003. improving the water supply. initiated. “I have no excuse for not performing, The state’s water treatment plant In education, Borno State saw little or because the people have shown me pumped about two million litres of water a no improvement until Sheriff’s government love. I equally have to return it to them” day to Maiduguri, but this hardly met the took steps to rectify matters by embarking Sheriff told a mammoth crowd recently city’s demand. But within the last three years, on a total rehabilitation and reconstruction at the Ramat Square in the state capital this water supply has been boosted to about programme for primary and secondary Maiduguri, the venue of the celebration 30 million metric litres a day. schools as well as distributing appropriate that marked his third anniversary as Another major social service to receive school furniture and instruction material. governor. “I can now confidently say Sheriff’s attention is health care delivery. Today, more than 2,500 educational that we are making progress in our Although his government inherited a staff are in position while another 344 development efforts and Insha Allah we dilapidated health care structure, the are currently under training at various shall succeed in totally transforming our situation has improved tremendously over universities across the country. state for the better” the last three years. Prior to his election, Agriculture, the mainstay of the It could be argued that a major practically all the general hospitals economy before the era of oil, has also problem confronting Nigeria today is in Borno were under lock and key for received attention from the Sheriff the dearth of quality leaders committed seven months due to strikes by medical administration. It has, in the last three to the yearnings and aspirations of personnel. More than 70% of medical years, purchased 191 tractors and farm their people. In most of the 774 local doctors and nurses had left the state’s machinery for farmers’ use. Fertiliser inputs, government council areas of the country, service for greener pastures either in an important component of modern day the electorate complain bitterly of the the federal service or overseas. Patients farming, have been procured centrally and non-performance of elected officials who were left to the mercy of private hospital sold to farmers with a subsidy of about 22% betray the peoples’ trust. operators and outright quacks. on each 50kg bag. However, it is a different story in As soon as it came into office, Sheriff’s The government has also embarked Borno, a state in the northeast of Nigeria, government released over N138m to pay on massive road and housing construction where the three-time selected senator of the outstanding allowances of striking (see interview), and revamped the Borno the Federal Republic and accomplished health workers and fund the recruitment Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) businessman, Ali Modu Sheriff, is of more doctors and paramedics. Similarly, that had suffered serious neglect in the last governor. In the provision of social health facilities and equipment were 20 years. The government has purchased amenities, Sheriff has achieved in his first provided in hospitals across the state. The state-of-the-art equipment for the BRTC three years in office more than what was government also released N30m for the at a cost of N871m, while an ultra modern accomplished by four of his predecessors purchase of essential drugs, and last year it studio complex has been built for the since 1979. awarded a contract for the construction of station at a cost of N75m. l
An IC Special Report on Borno State produced by the Communications Department of IC Publications and published in the October 2006 issue of New African magazine IC Publications 7 Coldbath Square, London EC1R 4LQ Tel: +44 20 7713 7711 Fax: +44 20 7713 7898 E-mail: [email protected]