Duke: Democracy. Dividends. Delivered.

Duke: Democracy. Dividends. Delivered.

M. O. ENE

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Donald Damien Duke, first 4^th Republic governor of Cross River State of Nigeria, came to New Jersey, USA. He did not come to “declare” – as The Guardian of Sunday, April 11 reported; he came as a special guest at the “World Conference” of America’s Nigerians in Diaspora Organization America (NIDOA). He was expected, as were other prominent Nigerians and NJ politicians. He came, unlike some of the listed “special” guests, viz: Shamsuddeen Usman, OFR, now ex-Minister of National Planning; ex-minister of education Obiageli “Madam Due Process” Ezekwesili, World Bank’s VP for African Region; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, PhD, former minister of foreign affairs/finance, and Managing Director of World Bank; and such local mayors as Cory Booker of Newark, NJ, and Wayne Smith of Irvington, NJ. Of course, Governor Chris Christie's message sufficed.

On Friday, April 9, 2010, I drove to the venue hoping to catch up with Donald. No dice. I know my way around now Renaissance Airport Hotel, Elizabeth, NJ. I have lost count of the many name changes of the hotel, but the structure was the same. A town-hall meeting was in progress with a sizeable number of Nigerians from far and near. Taking turns to answer submitted questions were Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Governor of Kano State, Honorable Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa, Chairwoman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Honorable Aminu Shagari, and officials from the Nigerian Consulate in New York City, NY.

The session was very lively, very informative, and respectful (if you discount too-happy side bars and primordial persons who won’t observe cell-phone etiquettes). Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa was so candid and upbeat about Nigeria she should have been appointed Minister of Information & Rebranding! She doused hope of Diasporeans voting in 2011, but no one said she was speaking for the electoral commission, INEC. However, the evening belonged to Governor Shekarau, who was billed as the keynote speaker for the banquet. He made a very good use of the session and endeared himself.

Governor Shekarau enjoined Nigerians in the United States to join the movement to make Nigeria better, stressing that a poor man in Calabar is a poor man in Kano, and a poor person in Mushin is a poor person in Maiduguri. Nothing new but, to the surprise of members of the high table, he declared that "miscreants" emerge as leaders because good people stay out of so-called "dirty politics"—the same politics that controls our society. He declared that anyone who stays out of 2011, anyone who sits back and does nothing, should thereafter "SHUT UP" -- especially on the Internet!

The good teacher did not mean to be rude, and no one was offended; it is popular Naijaspeak for "keep quiet." From his own stories, many of which he pleaded to be kept "off record" (even with press people in the room!), it was obvious that the two-term governor might be eyeing the occupancy of Aso Rock under the party he now controls—ANPP. He did not say so; on the contrary, he hinted that his ambition was to build a school of his own and go back to teaching. The state of education in Nigeria, he declared, should give Nigerians sleepless nights.

Shekarau specified that getting involved comes in different forms: financial support, enlightening people at home as we pass on Western Union numbers, speaking up, protesting evil deeds, etc. Without such massive support, nothing happens. It happened for him in Kano because Kanoans of all walks of life and of different ethno-religious extractions were engaged in his campaign. He often waxed religious, stressing that no good deed goes unrewarded and no bad deed goes unpunished by God. He told of an Igbo man whom his father, a police officer, had helped 55 years earlier and before he was born, embracing his ambition and helping to deliver Sabon Gari votes to him.

The evening was rounded off with a cocktail hour of finger foods sponsored by Kano State and video presentations by Eko Atlantic, Arik Air, and showcasing of ICT Park, Kano by Hon. Bashir Shehu Galadanchi, Ph.D., Kano State Commissioner for Science and Technology. The Convention looked promising with a long line of speakers for Saturday sessions, including Chief Ken Iwelumo, Alibo of Onicha Ugbo and VP at Merrill Lynch, Chamberlin Peterside, Ph.D., and Professor Janet Ande of the University of Jos.

Saturday, Governor Donald Duke was scheduled to speak during the session on “Infrastructure-Investment Opportunities” between 3:00 PM and 4:10 PM. He made it. He had been through similar economic discussions many times, so he was obviously in his elements. He only needed to play the video accompanying his book, “The Duke Years”; the video that showcases what is possible when politicians focus on delivering dividends of democracy. Donald Duke delivered to the best of his ability, much more than many of his 1999-2007 class. Forget the poor maintenance culture that trail structures in Nigeria, Duke as governor had big dreams that became reality and still endure.

The Banquet started late but on a good note: a Muslim prayer, a Christian prayer, and consecration of kolanut in Igbo -- punctuated with closing greetings in Hausa and Yoruba. Interesting, Nigerians appear to be conceding the rituals of kolanut consecration to the Igbo religion, Odinani. I also noted that "Kwenu!" has now moved into mainstream Naijaspeak. I have not heard too many "Nigeria Kwenu!" in one night since ex-head of state General Muhammadu Buhari visited New Jersey in 2004. The anthems followed, and we all looked forward to a wonderful evening.

The keynote speaker and others were seated, including Dabiri-Elewa, Aminu Shagari and his wife. People still wondered where Donald was. The news of his infrastructure development and created opportunities was sipping out. Many have seen the photos forwarded via emails, but they were now associating the successes with the Duke years. A young couple from upstate New York wondered audibly why Donald Duke, whom they came specifically to see, was being delayed. Finally, he came in at about 10 PM, just before Shekarau gave his long keynote address. Donald’s address was short and effective. There was no “declaration” of intent to run for the presidency, as the media had speculated. It was not even meant to be an evening with Donald Duke, and it was not.

The banquet was put together very well, but it was badly executed. For an event scheduled for 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM, it started about an hour-and-half late. Second, regular New Jersey banquets are 9 PM – 2 AM events. Third, the keynote speech was long and barely audible, no thanks to the poor audio of the hotel’s public address system. At such events, a dedicated DJ is hired, not a band. Fourthly, the program was padded with speeches and awards and live spectacular shows of drummers that thrilled the audience; unfortunately, Nigerians mostly look out to dance at such events, not watch others dance.

And no guest had danced!

The event dragged on toward 1 pm, well beyond the contracted time. The hotel workers were already rearranging the seats; the distinguished guests still sat on the dais. The rented band was yet to play a tune! The band struck a danceable number, even as microphone huggers still spoke to themselves – for no one was listening at this point. Some brave souls took to the floor and allowed the music to move them… if only for a few minutes.

As usual, it was tough getting Donald out of the hall. He paused to engage in conversations and to oblige folks wanting to pose for photos with him. It was a tough task piloting him out of the midst of all sorts of people wanting to talk about his plans for 2011. Those who had not heard were urging him to run. To a couple who wondered why he wouldn’t team up with Shekarau in 2011 and run, he responded, “I am running.” Yes, he is "running," but he had just not “declared” and, as per the rules of the electoral commission, he was not campaigning.

It was a wonderful evening, especially meeting Donald on my home tuff of New Jersey. It was not as in New York City last month, but it was worth the time and effort and resources. Meeting so many people enthused and ready to participate was encouraging, especially Sade Arowoselu. As Peter Maduabum, an attorney, commented during our tête-à-tête, Donald is not difficult to sell—he has shown a large capacity to use democracy to deliver dividends. A good salesperson is not required; it requires a tight organizational ship devoid of any iota of drama.

No one should sit out in 2011. As we saw during the visit to USA of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria appears set to pursue credible elections devoid of any fixes or violence. Jonathan cannot do it alone. No one can. We have reached a point where we must stand up and just say, ENOUGH! Enough of ex-generals that fellow failed politicians seem to admire; enough of their insatiable appetite for power, fame, and money. We have had enough of doing the same thing for 50 years and expecting different results. We have waited enough for others to get it right. It is time we quashed the juvenile and unconstitutional PDP north-south turn-by-turn game. That's what got us Umaru Yar'Adua and wasted 30 months of a country's clock on senseless scandals spanning Saudi Arabia and Abuja. If it's Duke vs. Jonathan in 2011, let the music play.

Donald Duke’s sensitization ship sailed on to Chicago, IL, Maryland, Atlanta, GA, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Here is wishing him safe berthing at each stop and safe return to Nigeria.