In its task of rebranding Nigeria, the Dora Akunyili’s federal information and communication ministry is sampling the opinions of Nigerians on governance.
The first poll asked if public officer holders should enjoy the immunity clause. The result, as published in Punch Newspaper, is captured above.
A clear majority of Nigerians (65% of respondents) do not what immunity clause for public officers.
Will this poll result prompt federal legislators — the people’s representatives — to revisit the issue and repeal the immunity clause from the constitution, as desired by the majority of Nigerians?
I will doubt if they will, even though the result is a quantitative indicator of where the 140 million strong-Nigerian people stand on the immunity clause matter. But if Nigerian democracy is indeed real, and of the right potency, it should override the wishes of the few know-it-all entities that have continued to put Nigeria in stranglehold.
It is interesting – and ironic too, that as the information minister, Dora Akunyili tries hard to rebrand, and sell the image of a ‘good and functional Nigeria’ only the top PDP political hierarchy can see, this poll finding and recent events (Niger Delta, Boko Haram and extrajudicial killings, kidnappers and armed robbers, Bank fraud etc) have systematically exposed the soft underbelly of the faulty sociopolitical system that exemplifies ‘the 9ja’ the people see, everyday.
It’s interesting how Madam Akunyili can deal with the cognitive dissonance burden of her portfolio!
I think this puts the legislators more to task than Dora Akunyili. In fact I think, this may help concertize Dora’s stance if she’s smart.
This poll is not really telling anything new, however, what happens now that a federal entity has amplified and lend more weight that what’s already known: Nigerians wants the immunity clause removed.
Can the national assembly answer to the people they represent, just as you wondered?
If Dora can play the game right, without having to do formal lobby at the national assembly, this might be a good news to the civil society and Nigerians. But I’ll keep my fingers crossed while I watch on the sidelines.
Cheers!
August 19, 2009 at 12:40 pm
My fingers remain very uncrossed on this one. The Nigerian problem is much larger than solvable via public polls for these would be done as the usual “paper” excercise and nothing will come out of it.
Ok if I am wrong let us see how long we will have to wait for action on the immunity polls…
Nigeria needs an iron hand for things to change… Military??? Jerry Rawlings of Naija??? All Nigerians carrying out and organised protest??? I am at a loss for Nigeria cannot continue this way. Shame but the people are not fools only incapacitated.
August 19, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Great thanks to Prof Akunyili for giving Nigerians,the opportunity to air their minds since the national assembly is no longer performing as supposed. Nigeria needs credible leaders. The then “Akunyili of NAFDAC”or “Rawlings of Ghana”. Rebranding of Nigeria will take its shape as soon as this leadership is found.
August 22, 2009 at 4:03 am
Dora. Polls. 9ija. policy ?Nonsense.
+1 to the above.
August 23, 2009 at 1:19 am
No. I meant +1 to Omotaylor
August 23, 2009 at 1:20 am
I must say Akunyili deserves glowing praise for her work at NAFDAC. Her time there is the exact kind of re-branding Nigeria needs. Where wrong was made right.
As far as re-branding Nigeria goes in her current campaign, I think it’s a waste of funds. Everyone knows that nothing has changed, unbelievable corruption still goes on unchecked, there is still no power supply, our roads are still bad, ASUU has been on strike and government do not care, there are still no jobs, hence there is still armed robbery, kidnapping, internet scam, crisis in the Niger Delta.
So what are we re-branding?
September 4, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Akunluyi should have been left well alone at NAFDAC. I was one that argued that she would do well in her Ministerial role. But now I put my hands up, I WAS WRONG.
September 6, 2009 at 3:26 am