As I mused over the Ribadu story, I struggle to make sense of it for several reasons, most particularly from the Presidency / Aso rock perspective. President Yar’Adua is a man that wants to be seen as an honest administrator whose intent is to establish “the rule of law” culture in the country. This desire has been the force behind his decisions since he assumed power.
First Yar’Adua set the precedence of being the first president to publicly disclose his assets. Then he started reversing several contracts awarded by his predecessor because they did not meet his standard for transparency. He even fired some of his ministers for fraud and had them arrested. And lately, he has called for the removal of the immunity clause from the constitution. The clause shelters sitting governors and their deputies from any legal prosecution while in office and has become a major legal stumbling block for anti-corruption prosecutors.
What I grapple with is how the Ribadu experience plays to augment his mission to create a corruption-free nation?
It doesn’t.
That the Presidency would watch from the sidelines, arms folded and not bothered, as some forces — operating in synergy with the Nigerian Police Force – rubbished the Ribadu brand is not only bewildering but insulting to Nigerians in Diapora.
President Yar’Adua now has some ominous clouds of doubt hanging over his head for his apparent “do not interfere” stance over the Ribadu affairs. His sincerity and capability to steer the country in the right direction is once questioned, just as many have questioned if his health can withstand the rigors of the office he oversees. How can Yar’adua be taken serious when the former anti-corruption tzar is being publicly hanged and set on fire and he appears quite comfortable?
If the truth can be told, Ribadu represents one of the two most visible and high-fidelity Nigerian brands overseas (The other is NAFDAC, under Dora Akunyili)
It an embarrassment for me particularly to try explain why one of Nigerian national beacons of hope is been insulted and ridiculed for doing a great job. How I would like to see Dora Akunyili, the new information Minister, answer that question.
“How I would like to see Dora Akunyili, the new information Minister, answer that question.”
She cant.
December 24, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Inmakoya, first looking into the history of Nigerian politics, I can see why Yaradua is not doing much to make the Ribadu hounding a closed case. Remember that when OBJ went and Ehindero goofed, Okiro replaced Ehindero as Yaradua’s way of saying “time for a change”. Also between Okiro and Yaradua, there must be a love love relationship that might not be clear to Nigerians hence Yaradua has not even once countered or queried Okiro’s now seemingly manipulative police moves.
Yaradua is proving to Nigerians at home and abroad that he is not fully in charge and that there are other dictators pushing his cart. So my hope is that Dora will be strong enough to be one of those pushing and steering Yaradua and hopefully into the right direction.
December 25, 2008 at 8:46 am
Also Ribadu, to Yaradua, rightly or wrongly was one of the legacies that OBJ left behind and Yaradua wanted a change from Ribadu to someone else. Now the question is “Do new leaders have to change everything about the old order even if that thing is important and successful”? There are millions of other bad and evil things that Yaradua could have seen to first. Yaradua all in all needs to get a grip. He is not doing well at all as president of Nigeria. Maybe the most clueless president that Nigeria never had.
Merry Xmas.
December 25, 2008 at 9:14 am
I don’t think Yar’Adua-Okiro “love-love” relationship – if there is any – should derail the president’s anti-corruption agenda and messages. The man is just not in tune with reality, and unfit to manage the complexities of “been in charge” in a crazy place like Nigeria
Compliments of the season!
December 26, 2008 at 3:32 pm
U’ve said it Imnakoya, Nigeria is a “crazy” place and maybe needs a constructively crazy leader to deal with firmness but purpose (even if sometimes this could be ruthless) as long as its geared towards a better Naija (Ghana model comes in here). Yaradua we like it or not is just not competent and he doesnt have a clue how to carry on. Unfortunately Yaradua is too foolishly proud to call for help seeing he cant carry on competently. But then in a crazzed Nigeria who does Yaradua turn to for help? Bottom line he shouldnt have taken the leadership mantle. Now what do Nigerians do meanwhile? Cry and talk and hope and then cry and cry and do nothing? That’s the big question. Nigeria is not blessed with many leaders of conscience and integrity and that is the bane of the society.. Na wa o. People dey suffer o, while those in power still dey enjoy and chop chop o. God dey sha. One day be one day wey monkey go go market and i no go return.
Seasonal greetings Imnakoya. God bless.
December 28, 2008 at 10:06 am