Stories from MU’AWUYA B. IDRIS, Katsina

The delegation led by Alhaji Magaji Dambatta (OFR) expressed their view that it is a sheer fraud and rape of democracy for those elected into office on the basis of the definite terms provided for by the constitution to engage in the process of changing such provisions in order to extend their stay in office.
Alhaji Dambatta who read the stand of Kano people before the Joint Committee of National Assembly, explained that amendment of the constitution to extend tenure of political office holders does not only reek of corruption but actually amounts to a fatal subversion of the constitution and the people’s will.
He said it is part of the surreptitious agenda to perpetuate in power became particularly unfolded in the days of the National Conference where it was detected and vehemently opposed.’’
Alhaji Dambatta explained that Kano people opposed zoning of the event, adding: ‘’The limited nature of your public hearing is undemocratic and corrupt by any stretch of imagination and cannot be accepted or be seen to be a serious or well-intentioned attempt, even as a pilot scheme to gauge what view the public holds on the issue.’’
He told the committee members that ‘’conducting the hearing under the watchful eyes of security operatives who have swarmed the city of Katsina and in an atmosphere of intimidation and further curtailment of uninhibited movement of ordinary Nigerians who desire to make point could only dent the credibility of the entire exercise.’’
Dambatta, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) explained that should the National Assembly by any chance be presented with a recommendation from the Review Committee that was contrary to the popular views of Nigerian, ‘’we are hereby calling the respresentatives of Kano state at National Assembly to take note of Kano’s position and ensure that they abide by it as well as act as the vanguard for its actualisation,’’ he concluded.
Among Kano delegation at the public hearing included former civilian governor of the state, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi and Architect Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, Alhaji M.T. Bello and Malam Ibrahim Khalil.
Others were Prof. Auwalu Yadudu, Alhaji Kamisu Yola, Engr. Bashir Karaye among others.