|
|
| SENATOR AHMED MARKAFI: LEGACY OF A POLITICAL ENTREPRENEUR:: |
12/25/2008 |
|
Senator Ahmed Markafi and his like have brought the term Political entrepreneur into the Political lexicon. Political entrepreneurs create new political institutional arrangements or re-arrange existing ones for better results. Their justification is always “the public interest”. Political entrepreneurs are needed to convert the nation’s potentiality into reality. Our society suffers from the paucity of such creativity. When such people are lacking, public purpose is derailed and opportunities are lost. We should recognize and celebrate these political entrepreneurs who generate public benefits whenever and wherever we find them.
Some people go into meditation to pray that the governor’s term ends the next day, other meditate that their governor stays till eternity. Governor Markafi’s term in Kaduna state belonged to the latter. The type of work executed in Kaduna state and service rendered under his dynamic and inspiring leadership were beyond the dreams of many of his people. No wonder they demanded him to serve the more. Trust they say breeds additional responsibility and that his people did by voting him to the senate. The same zeal and energy he employed in Kaduna state, he has taken to the Senate and particularly the Committee on finance which he is the chairman.
In the case of Senator Markafi, his professional experience, dedication, devotion, discipline and high moral and ethical standards earned him the enviable but very demanding position of the Chairman, senate committee on Finance in the Nation’s upper legislative chamber. One of the lessons of this interview is that we should change our attitude and start recognizing and rewarding talent, excellence, outstanding achievements and meritorious service without waiting for outsiders to do that first. His duration in the Nation’s political arena and the positions he held has made him an authority in certain national issues which makes this interview a must read.
The Voice: Thank you for welcoming us to your office. I will first and foremost like you to tell our dear readers what you think that has endeared you to your people that made them after serving them for 8years as the executive governor, they still had the confidence to ask you to represent them in the Senate?
Senator Markafi: Thank you very much for the opportunity to share this issue with you. The full essence of democracy is for the people to have the responsibility of electing those who they want to represent them at the different levels, whether in the executive or in the legislative arms of government. It is true that I was the executive governor of Kaduna state for 8years and at the end of the period; I was one of those who were gunning for the presidency of this country. At some point, and because there were many of us in the race, I had to withdraw. However, my constituency consulted me saying that the least they would want from me was to represent them at the upper chamber of the National Assembly. This was not what I planned for, before, actually, it was impromptu, but I answered the clarion call. Surely, if I had not served them creditably when I was a governor, they would not have had that confidence in me to ask me to represent them in the senate and without such confidence, even if I had stood for the election into the senate, I would not have succeeded.
The Voice: Sir, your people prompted you to represent them. Initially, it was your intention to lead this great Nation. What do you think if you were given that opportunity, you would have done differently?
Senator Markafi: I don’t think that question is necessary at this point in time. Because there is a government that is functioning and, is trying its best based on what it has on the ground to meet the desires and aspirations of Nigerians. My role now is to see how I can help the executive arm headed by the president in actualizing the policies and the 7-point agenda. We belong to the same party with the President. It does not matter whether we all agree or disagree, sometimes, on policy or party grounds or whatever. We have proper channels of communication. By and large, it is not easy to govern a large country as Nigeria. Most of the problems we are confronting in the National Assembly were unanticipated problems. All of us are accountable to Nigerians. What is important now is for all of us to look at the issues on the ground and join hands with the President to ensure that things are done to move the nation forward.
The Voice: If you are given yet another opportunity to run for the post of the President of Nigeria, What would you do?
Senator Markafi: Well, I do not see how that will happen. In Nigeria, we operate a policy of rotation of the office of the President, and I come from the same zone with the current President. So by the time he has completed his term(s) and the full rotation is completed, I will be too old to run for any particular political office if I were still alive, Laughs! Therefore that hypothetical question on the possibility that it will happen has a very negligible probability, which I do not even want to waste time thinking about.
The Voice: Sir, Let’s come down to the Senate. Recently, the senate appointed you as the chairman of the senate committee on Finance. Nigerians in the Diaspora view that as a worthy appointment considering your experience, past record and background in the field of finance. How have those experiences been of assistance to you in the execution of the duties of this office?
Senator Markafi: Firstly, the maturity with which we have deployed in dealing with matters brought before us is obvious. This is the same with the way we processed the whole budget issues that came before us. But there are certain questions that have not been asked before that have now been raised. People focused before only on the expenditure side of the budget to the neglect of the revenue counterpart. Now we have addressed both the revenue and expenditure sides of the budget and these have brought a lot of positive changes in the manner of budget preparations and considerations, etc. That is just the beginning and we will continue to improve on that. Those experiences that I had, and still have as a governor and as a manager in the field of finance have no doubt, been invaluable to me in carrying out my duties. These are also reflected in the thoroughness and speed with which the issues brought to me were discharged.
The Voice: Recently there was a debate in the senate that certain amount of money be allocated for the procurement of rice. You vehemently opposed it and argued on the line that many other Nigerians toed. You opted rather for the improvement of agriculture, through the purchase and distribution of fertilizer, etc. How did your view go with other members of the senate?
Senator Markafi: That was the understanding of the senate as at the time the debate took place in the National Assembly. It was a unanimous resolution that the issue of allocating about 80bn naira for rice importation was not necessary. The senate based their view on what was in the best interest of Nigerians. The subsequent clarifications showed that it was not what they meant. They said that what they meant was exactly what we were saying; so virtually there was no point of divergence.
The Voice: You could recall that recently, the state of health of the president of Nigeria has been a matter of great concern. There have been insinuations from various quarters that the president might resign or quit his job. What do you think about that?
Senator Markafi: He does not look indisposed to me the way people are making us to see. You see I had the same experience when I was the governor of Kaduna state. In my very first year in office, people were peddling rumours of my death. That was ten years ago, and here I am. Even when he was a governor, people were speculating of his death. We are human and can have one illness or the other. The President is human, whatever illness or ailments he may have, there are technology, science and availability of treatment and resources and amenities that will enable him to fully discharge his responsibilities.
The Voice: Most career politicians, like you, in the course of discharging their duties try to groom and or incorporate a family member or a close associate into the political arena. Do you have any intention of establishing another Markafi into the Nigerian political field?
Senator Markafi: People should grow in the field of their choice. You do not conscript people into politics, as I was not conscripted into it. The most important thing is to give your children very good education and what they would be, they would be. With good education and orientation, they would be able to know what they want to be in their life that is productive.
The Voice: What would be your message to the Nigerians in the Diaspora?
Senator Markafi: Wherever you find Nigerians, it is the love they have for their country that make them to feel concerned, make inquiries and ask questions on the state of the nation. I therefore call on them not to lose faith in Nigeria so that that love they have for Nigeria will make them to join hands with those of us at home to build one true Nigeria. They should also join forces to develop a peaceful and stable country not only for Nigerians but also for the entire black race.
The Voice: Hon. Sir, What message do you have for the Nigerian public that seem to be impatient with the expected dividends of democracy?
Senator Markafi: That Rome was not built in a day. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. We have taken more than one step. We have taken several thousand steps but we are not there yet and we still have more to go and that is human progressive steps.
The Voice: Hon., Sir, Let us recall your years in office as the executive governor of Kaduna state and the “excellent record” you left behind. Were there things you would in retrospect have wanted done differently?
Senator Markafi: Not at all! Not at all! I am human and baring human limitations, I am very proud of all that I have accomplished in Kaduna state.
The Voice: Finally and most importantly too, the senate committee on finance works hand-in-hand with the Executive Branch in preparing budget issues. Oftentimes, the budgets have been unduly delayed due to some bureaucratic bottlenecks which consequently constrain the nation’s development. How do you hope these obstacles could be dismantled?
Senator Markafi: Actually, we are not involved in the budget preparation. Of course, we do consult. Our consultations are primarily to maintain checks and balances. The administrative bottlenecks are more likely to occur, if the budget submitted to the National Assembly, is not completely prepared and not accompanied with the necessary details. On the contrary, if the budget is comprehensively prepared and submitted to the National Assembly, taking cognizance of the issues and expectations of the federation and the component parts, we would of course expeditiously deliberate and pass it. In other words, if we received a well articulated and balanced budget and on time, we have no cause to delay for any time beyond what is necessary. But if we receive a budget that raises series of questions, it would of course be fraught with delays.
The Voice: As an experienced politician, you rendered excellent service in Kaduna state and left memorable landmarks. What would you like to be remembered for when you leave the senate?
Senator Markafi: Well in the senate, a tree does not make a forest as the adage goes. You try to contribute positively and constructively on the matters that come to the National Assembly. I would like to be remembered for my positive and effective contributions to deliberations on the matters that were brought to the National Assembly.
The Voice: Hon. Thank you very much sir, for this precious time you spent with us.
Senator Markafi: You are welcome.
|
|
|
|
| Comments | Post your comment |
|
|
|
