Since the invention of democratic politics as a system of governance of the human society, political actors from the Greco-Roman times to this day have equally adopted different and unique ways of approaching politics and these approaches have metamorphosed into different political ideologies underpinning political operations and activities of politicians down through `the Ages. These ideologies serve as the operational principle for politicians and it offers a reasoned justification and rationalization for what they do , the goals they pursue and the values they cherish. For many politicians particularly in our climes, politics provide the shortest route to fame, riches, influence and above all, power to determine the affairs of others. Those who share in this thought pattern, equally adopts the path that operates without any ideological pattern or guiding principle. That is to say that, nothing drives or inspires them and nothing shapes their approach. Politicians who fall in this category seek power, money and influence as an end in itself instead of the means to an end. The end of all political activities ought to be the betterment of the human society and the enhancement of the basic goods of human flourishing. As such, no matter the method, approach and strategy, the end should always remain the human person.
Monday, 31 May 2021 00:38
GEORGE AKUME AND THE PEOPLE CENTERED POLITICS OF HUMANISM AND WELFARISM
Written by Rev. Solomon Semaka
This is the thinking that informs the Kantian principle of the Categorical Imperative which among other things states that the human person should at all times and in all situations be treated as the end in itself and never as a means to an end. Many politicians are either ignorance of this imperative principle or have no commitment to its ideals. In Nigeria for example, you can count with your fingers those who seek in their political career to advance the betterment of the human person. Among these few, is the Retired Permanent Secretary, Two Term Governor of Benue State, Three Term Senator of the Federal Republic and Now, the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Sir George Akume. For more than two decades that Distinguished Senator George Akume has been in the public service he has demonstrated sustainably and visibly in words and deeds that his operational principle in politics is what I termed as Political Humanism and welfarism. It is a political philosophy that is anchored on the wellbeing and respect for human dignity.
Over the years, since emerging as key player in the political firmament of Benue State nay Nigeria, Sir George as he is fondly called by his fans and political admirers has risen steadly from a political creation to a creator in the politics especially of Benue state. Beyond the human capital development, Sir George has registered his name indelibly in the annals of Benue history owing to his infrastructural strides particularly as the governor of Benue State.
But as political phenomenon in Benue State, Sir George is viewed variously by different people for various reasons. Many literally worship him as a political idol while some despise him as the problem of Benue. But love him or hate him, he remains a true leader not just in Benue State today but in the entire country. Interestingly, which ever camp one is in terms of perception of Sir George, there is undisputed consensus that he is simply and indisputably in his own class in terms of humaneness, generosity, accessibility, kindness, forgiveness and selflessness. Many people have argued persuasively, that his ever growing popularity and goodwill among Benue commoners is traceable to the aforementioned qualities.
But beyond personal qualities, Sir GEORGE has equally earned for himself a good name as a performer in governance. During his days as the governor of Benue State he left indelible marks in almost all sectors. As somebody who is not interested in self-glorification, many of his achievements remain unsung but for the lovers of truth his selfless contributions to the development of Benue State has been acknowledged and celebrated,earning for himself the well-deserved appellation as "the Father of Modern Benue,". He is widely celebrated as the architect of the transformation of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
As someone who started his career at the Local Government and has worked closely with the Benue Populace at the grassroots , Sir George has familiarized himself with the perennial socio-economic and political challenges of the state which he captured in his working blueprint then as Governor named "THE BENUE ADVANCE PLAN," as an operational guide for a people-oriented governance. He articulated his vision for the State and was methodic and deliberate in his approach for the realization of his plans. His government appreciated the diversity of the state and anchored on inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence as reflected the choice of his Deputy Late Prince Ogiri Ajene and the composition of his cabinet. The least people in our society felt a sense of belonging and the impact was positively widespread.
As the Executive Governor, Sir George brought his civil service experience and bureaucratic expertise to bear on the lives of the people by ensuring due process, transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business and by avowedly committing his government to the principles of true democracy, separation of powers, social justice, equity and the rule of law as reflected in his legacy projects
As a transiting government from military to Civil Order , Sir George was deliberate in bringing government closer to the people. He laid a solid foundation for the smooth take off of a new and democratic Benue by advancing projects and programmes that fostered all inclusiveness , sustainable growth and development through the deliberate empowerment of the indigenous small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) so as to diversify, stimulate and boost the private sector of the local economy which was hitherto dependent on subsistent farming and the state civil service led sector of the state
Sir George, most urgent desire at the inauguration of his government was to take the poor, unemployed, dependent masses out of poverty and reduce the incidents of crime and other social vices. To achieve this pressing issue that was very dear to his heart, he made it a policy of his administratration to patronise and empower local contractors, artisans, the youth and women through their engagement on the numerous construction and infrastructural projects and programmes that were initiated. It is to his eternal credit, that many Benue Citizens became car owners (The popular Akume Thank You) for the first time in their lives and many built their own houses. He built Owners Occupiers Estate and many others across the State capital for low income earners (the BIPC Housing estates located in Nyiman and North Bank areas of the Makurdi metropolis).
His housing policy was inclusive as no sector was left out. The popular Judges’ Quarters on Gboko road remain an enduring testimony of his desire for decent living for judges and for justice delivery. He did not just built a befitting judges’ quarters’ complex but also the Assembly Quarters located at Nyiman for the State Assembly members.
The educational sector equally received a massive investment in the renovation and upgrading of primary and secondary schools across the state. It is to his credit that a ultra-modern College of Health Sciences Complex of the BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY is built with fully furnished lecture halls, students hostel, auditoriums, cafeterias, recreational gardens, beautiful pavements and landscaping; complimented with all the teaching and learning equipments as well as the necessary infrastructures making it one of the best in the country. This was done to enhance the viability of the Benue State University (BSU) and secure accreditation for the Faculty of Medical Sciences that is key for the training of medical doctors for the Benue health sector. He equally complimented that with the building of a world class Teaching Hospital complex with all the needed infrastructure, equipments, and furnishings for the practical component of the medical students and to also serve as a one stop referral tertiary medical institution for the state and beyond. He started an Oversea scholarship scheme that saw many Benue indigenes study abroad and he also increased the bursary allowances for Benue students.
His government equally left remarkable footprints in the area of water supply to makurdi and other major towns in Benue State. He gave a similar attention to environmental sanitation and erosion menace as well as flooding that had become a perennial occurrence in the capital city and its environs. He took advantage of the River Benue resource and built the greater Makurdi Water Works project and installed with the huge requisite pumping equipment. Sir George deployed judiciously the ecological funds that accrued to the State during his time by constructing the First Phase of the huge Idye erosion control project that traversed the length and breadth of the metropolis, thereby drastically reducing the submersion of the metropolis that became a recurring incident every raining season
The ministry of information was not left out as he also built the Benue Television Complex also invested a lot of resources on Radio Benue by acquiring new transmitters and equipment to enhance the reach of the station to all nook and crannies of Benue and its environs.
According to Barr. JOHN TINE, “Transportation was also given a boost as Benue Links was supported to acquire hundreds of vehicles which included Marco polo luxury buses that conveyed passengers to most states in Nigeria”.
Tine further contended that “Youth, sports development, and culture were not left out as the state's football team,the Lobi Stars was fully funded and continually won national and international laurels, just as the state troupe of arts and culture equally garnered national and intercontinental trophies and recognition for their superlative performance”.
Sir George, is celebrated Democrats who abhors undemocratic tendencies. He is committed to the ideals and principles of true and participatory democracy and good governance. It is on record that it was Sir George, who was the first among the sitting Governors of his time to vehemently oppose Obasanjo’s clandestine moves to secure a third term against the constitutional provisions. No wander, today, he has joined forces with other progressives to continue his people oriented politics of humanism and welfarism.
As a human being, Sir George is also a victim of human frailties and short comings. As earlier noted above, Benue politics today cannot be discussed with the mentioning of his influence. Infact, the history of Benue Politics is now divided into Before and After George Akume. As such, many people blame him majorly for all that Benue is passing through whether good or bad. Critical analysts of his political style also accused him of fixation and lack of deep introspection and dynamism in his leadership recruitment model. He is viewed in some quarters as one who have simplistic measuring standards for recruitment of leaders in the serious business of governance. Whether all these are true or not, Sir George is not push over in Benue Politics nay Nigeria and it is a given that if God keep him alive , he will still be a major deciding factor on who takes the leadership of Benue as a Governor come 2023 and beyond. Our prayers are with him as we pray God to endow him with wisdom to support wisely and altruistically those that will be elected to lead us in 2023.
For him, we believe that his best is yet to come so we hope that his party the APC and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will find him even more useful in strategic areas and party leadership so that he will continue to provide the needed services he has in abundance to offer to this Nation.
Rev Solomon Semaka is a Civil Rights Activist and Political Analyst; 31st May, 2021
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