For the fortunate ones, they will be received with open
arms, given warm embrace and a new mandate. For the
not so lucky, they will be turned back, and will be told
to come back in four years, perhaps then, the
people’s anger against them would have subsided. In the ancient city of Sokoto tomorrow, Speaker of
Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri
Tambuwal, will come before the people of his state to
present his score card and ask for a new mandate, this
time, a mandate to be the Governor of Sokoto State for
the next four years under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). That new mandate will be a
new beginning for both Sokoto and Tambuwal. This is
because, today, Saturday, January 10, Tambuwal added
a new year to his life. He clocked 49. Much has been written about the life and politics of
Tambuwal. In summary though, his courage, integrity,
generosity and all-embracing character have stood
high above everything else. Tambuwal has proven to
be a dependable ally, one who can be trusted to be
there for the people at all times. His leadership of the House of Representatives has ushered in a period of
tranquility not seen in the Green Chamber since the
return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999. His performance
as Speaker has set the bar in governance. His
intrepidity in the face of tough challenges has inspired
his colleagues and emboldened them to go about their duties without fear, or favour. For Tambuwal, seeing Nigeria rise to greatness is
something akin to obsession. He has, at every available
opportunity, reminded Nigerians of the need to
promote democracy and respect human rights of all.
These ideas stem from his belief that strong
democracies are more likely to secure peace, deter aggression, expand markets, promote development,
combat terrorism and crime, uphold rights of workers,
avoid humanitarian crises, protect and improve the
global environment, and protect human health. The Speaker’s widely circulated opinions and
discourses on good governance, public service,
constitutional reform, youth and women empowerment
and national development cannot be lost to genuine
lovers of our country. He had on many occasions
demonstrated his love for country above personal interest and taught others to do the same. In the period since Tambuwal came to national
consciousness, he has not lost touch with his base.
Importantly, he has maintained what the Ooni of Ife,
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuade, described as
“the proper upbringing” the Speaker passed
through from his formative years. Perhaps, taking a cue from past leaders with inestimable value to their
communities, Tambuwal has maintained a simple
lifestyle dedicated to the service of the less privileged. From the likes Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill,
Malcolm X, Aminu Kano and Nelson Mandela, there can
be as many ways to lead people as there are leaders. Of
particular reference here is Malam Aminu Kano. Before
he died over three decades ago, he preached and
championed the cause of social justice, environmental harmony and spiritual purification. He upheld the
universal principles of truth, honesty, sincerity and
keeping to time. Today, these are virtues commonly
attributed to Tambuwal. Tambuwal remains the quintessential politician who has
defied the notion that politicians, especially of the
Nigerian variety, cannot say the truth to the powers
that be while still in power. By now, Nigerians have
come to identify their Number Four citizen as a fearless
man whose words and deeds are not at variance with the hopes and aspirations of the men and women of his
beloved country. In a clime polluted by years of sheer
indiscipline and unfulfilled promises, the optimism, and
testimonies openly exhibited by those who followed
his leadership style in Abuja will no doubt gladden the
hearts of the people of Sokoto who are now set to have him as their Leader in the coming years. Not since independence have we seen a politician
promote an ideology as fervently as the Speaker does.
Tambuwal has promoted the concept of a strong
dichotomy between politics and governance. To him,
there is a marked difference between a candidate in
electoral contest on the platform of a political party and an elected official who has assumed a non-partisan
responsibility and taken oath to protect and preserve
the constitution, to serve the people and the nation.
While the former is not merely at liberty but under a
duty to be partisan, the latter must conduct himself in a
manner worthy of the call to non-partisanship in governance. And whenever partisan interests conflict
with national interest it is partisan interests that must
be sacrificed in the preservation of the national interest.
Tambuwal’s candor, nationalistic outlook, ability to
make fair and inclusive decisions, maturity and his
desire to interact freely and affectionately with all Nigerians has today earned him the confidence of his
colleagues and all Nigerians alike. His strong stance on
discipline, accountability, and truth, and his penchant
desire to do things differently, has set him aside and
made him an example for elected office holders in the
federation. At 49, Tambuwal’s life is bedecked with the stellar. As
Sam Omotseye once noted, Tambuwal’s quiet but
visionary hand has held the often tempestuous House
of Representatives on an even keel. This is the same
House of riot and broken chairs in the past. He has
never attracted scandal to himself. He is equable in temper and felicitous in language. He has secured the
House and it does not play slave to the executive, and
he has defended his legislative turf. He does not play the games of tribal and religious
fidelity in the way that injures the commonwealth of
citizens. He does not carry an air of the superior
personage. That explains why all the rumoured plots of
presidential-inspired impeachment did not fly. He
knows how to hold his own without vanity or flamboyance. He is humble without servility, effective
without showiness, brilliant without bullying. As he celebrates his birthday today, it is not just the
intriguing narrative of how he was elected Speaker of
the House, or how he defied countless machinations of
the powers that be, that should resonate with political
scientists. That experience should also serve as a
reminder of the many profound achievements we could record if we rise above the inhibiting considerations of
tribe, region and religion. Tambuwal has, like US
President Barack Obama said of the great Nelson
Mandela, showed us the power of action; of taking risks
on behalf of our ideals. In the arc of his life, we see a
man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness; persistence and faith. He tells us
what’s possible not just in the pages of dusty history
books, but in our own lives as well. To this man of courage, I say a happy birthday.

SOURCE:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/tambuwal-the-eagle-clocks-49/

Happy Birthday sir.