By ABDULMALIK SULEIMAN
The idea or doctrine and history of Government of National Unity goes beyond our national shore and predated Tinubu’s incoming administration.
In the United States of America, the doctrine is called bipartisan and in many western democracies.
Usually, the major reason behind the idea of inclusive government globally, is for stability of polity and for national cohesion.
The idea of Government of National Unity or inclusiveness has been part of our political history since independence, even when the country was under parliamentary democracy.
And from 1999 to dates, starting from former President Olusegun Obasanjo who immediately after being declared president, quickly embraced the idea and shared government cabinet with both the then oppositions parties, APP and AD. Late Bola Ige and Hajiya Aisha Ismail were appointed into the cabinet as ministers. late Pres. Umaru Yar’adua toed the same line with his predecessor, in fact the present president elect endorsed the idea and supported Yar’adua’s administration to succeed.
Currently, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president elect is not offering anything new about GNU.
Tinubu is a democrat, a patriot and one who has seen it all from all angles as a democracy fighter, an opposition element and a national leader of the current ruling party and now an elected president waiting to be sworn in.
As he prepare to assume office in less than two weeks from now, it’s commendable that he’s meeting individual who are tested and experience, to join hands with him in fixing the country.
The recent meeting between him and the presidential candidate of New Nigeria People’s party NNPP and former Kano State governor,, Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in far away Paris is a well thought out and master stroke that could stabilize the polity and usher in a real growth and development from the anticident of both leaders.
The president elect knew his onions pretty well and he also know the capability and potential of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who completely changed the face of Kano State in terms of Education, Agriculture, Road Infrastructure, Social Reorientation, Job Creation and Providing Security etc. so the nuance being express about GNU by political opponents doesn’t really matter. National issues supercedes personal interest or local political rivalry, in fact, governor Abdullahi Ganduge is simply facing comeuppance and shouldn’t be pity from the ongoing political realignment, after all he too was a creation of Kwankwaso political structure.
Its not far fetched why the special interest shown in Sen Kwankwaso by the president elect, he was largely motivated by the former governor capability, competence, and political doggedness for stability, growth and development also, for national healing and stability.
Sen. Kwankwaso served as a Minister of Defense during President Obasanjo administration, a full civilian politician who did satisfactorily under a retire soldier president. During the period, it general agreed that the country witnessed an uptimum security stability in the country.
There is no doubt, that, the idea of GNU is a welcome one and can bring about national healing and partisan rapprochement, and never as a stratagem for sowing discord amongst opposition ranks.
It is therefore, considered healthy for the growth of democracy and reduction of gridlock in public governance, especially during a flawed election like ours.
In modern times, even former USA Pres. George W Bush appointed a well-known liberal democrat, Norman Mineta as Secretary of Transport.
All that is needed and vital at this material time, is how to fix the country and restore it politically and economically.
