Lawal Musa Daura:A Solution Searching For A Snag
By Bala Ibrahim
I read somewhere on one of the social media platforms, a long discourse regarding Mallam Lawal Musa Daura, pursuant to an article written about him by Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, wherein the author was bending over backward, to explain to the audience, who Mallam Lawal Musa Daura is.
Under normal circumstances, I would not lend my voice to the discussion, because I know the facts will speak for themselves. But this is not a normal circumstance, and Mallam Lawal Musa Daura, popularly referred to as Lawal Daura, is a man that was designed by God, to act in ways that naturally puts him ahead of others. For that, I feel, I owe the discussion the respect of participating, with the hope that, I would help in a research that may be done about him later.
Normally, people are confronted with problems or snags, and they go round looking for the solutions. But with Lawal Musa Daura, nature created a reversed scenario. God gave him the gift of solutions to a multitude of problems, and set him out in motion to look out for them. Sometimes, I see him as a mobile encyclopaedia, that goes round with answers to every challenge. If you have not sat down with him, or worked with him, or closely interfaced with him, then you are yet to come to terms with the intended meaning of wisdom.
Beyond being intelligent, Mallam Lawal has the advantage of using knowledge and good judgement to address issues, with impressive skill and delicacy. I don’t know from where he got this. Is it in his genes, or the mythical effect acquired, from drinking the water of the legendary kusugu well? These are questions, whose answers may help whoever may wish to embark on the research about Lawal Daura later.
Historically, Daura has a special place in the book of wonders, making it revered as the spiritual birthplace and seat of the Hausa civilization. Aside being the hometown of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Daura has produced prominent sons and daughters, whose contributions to the economic, academic and political development of Nigeria are unquantifiable. But for reasons best known to them, Daura people always maintain low key and quiet lives.
Like late Muhammadu Buhari, who, despite being everything in Nigeria, refused to submit to the convention of rushing into politics for the benefit of acquiring power, until he was compulsorily dragged by those who believed in his uncompromising integrity, a repeat screenplay is being prepared by nature, and it seems, Lawal Daura may be the trouper.
When the news broke out that late Muhammadu Buhari had declared for politics, a long time ago, I took a bet with a colleague, from far away Kenya, where I went on an official assignment. Incidentally, the colleague is from the same Daura. I told him that the news was fake. This is because, as at that time, I had several discussions with the same Buhari, and time without number, he told me about his distaste for politics. He said, he was simply not tailored for politics, because of its dirt and the ease with which political office holders drift towards corruption. In the end, I confirmed verbatim, from the mouth of Buhari himself. And that was how I lost the bet. Fortunately, my colleague refused to collect the wager of £200, saying he is not a gambler.
Now, because of the similarity in disposition, discipline and devotion to nation building, between Muhammadu Buhari and Lawal Daura, my instinct is telling me that, history is about making a repeat.
When a society is confronted by the problem of bad leadership or good governance deficit, the natural thing to do is to look within, for people with good qualities to lead. This creates a scenario of the scramble for those with integrity. And in Katsina state today, that scramble has commenced.
There is no gain saying, in such a situation, the best option available is to look for people with three key attributes, viz: dedication, honesty and sincerity. It is people with such attributes that have the courage for accountability and consistency, because they would always act in alignment with strong moral principles, regardless of the circumstances.
Anyone with such attributes, has the qualities to build trust, show reliability, and can demonstrate a commitment to doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. In Katsina state today, there is no better place to run to, than where you have a solution searching for such problems.
I have not read the original article from Abdu Malumfashi that triggered the discussion, but based on the issues raised, I know it’s on whether Lawal Daura is fit to govern Katsina state. If that is the question, my answer is yes, capital yes. We shall come to his resume’ later, after crossing the huddles of making him accept the clarion call. Like late Buhari, I know the biggest task is to convince, or even confuse him, to accept the political offer because, he is a trained technocrat that rose to become a spymaster.
As a tested and trusted spymaster, Daura was the Director General of the most powerful intelligence agency in charge of managing operations, controlling agents, and overseeing counter espionage activities in the best interest of Nigeria. Convincing a man with such a wealth of experience, to bring it for the betterment of his state, is a task that must be embraced by every well meaning indigene.
Because they held significant power in government, where they were making decisions based on expertise, facts, and data, rather than political ideology or opinions, most times, technocrat are reluctant to venture into politics, no matter the pressure. They see themselves as experts that are focused on problem-solving and not the dilly dally of politics. It therefore requires a lot of pressure to make them change position. Like Buhari, you have to convince them with facts. But, fortunately, according to the famous British economist, John Maynard Keynes, when you give them facts, they can change their mind.
I had the privilege of speaking to Mallam Lawal Daura last night, where we talked along this line. But he said to me, no decision is taken yet. By my understanding of our discussion, the coffee is still in the brew. Impliedly, he is not ruling any option in, but he is not ruling any option out either. To get the aroma of the coffee, we need to pray and pressure him the more, because I know, he is a solution searching for a snag.