Frustrating the President’s agenda
The high level of brazenness, which characterised the conduct of public affairs, for example, during that era, partly explains the state in which the country finds itself today. This was essentially what American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton captured in her speech at the Abuja town hall, when she came calling recently. Among others, she […]
The high level of brazenness, which characterised the conduct of public affairs, for example, during that era, partly explains the state in which the country finds itself today. This was essentially what American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton captured in her speech at the Abuja town hall, when she came calling recently. Among others, she lamented that our poverty level rate rose form about 45% to over 70% within the past ten years, an indication that the rot was set during that misused period.
At another level, while the administration was laundering its image in the media trumping up its virtues of due process and respect for the rule of law, it was pursuing a completely different agenda. At a point, General Muhamadu Buhari, twice ANPP presidential flag bearer, observed with sadness the level of brazenness and lack of respect for rules which he rightly implied was largely the guiding principle of the regime in managing public affairs.
It is instructive that President Yar’adua had to reverse so many policy decisions that were taken in violation of rules, regulations, due process and the law. The desire to stay in office, longer than constitutional provisions allow, is enough a clear evidence to illustrate how extraneous considerations influenced public agenda in Obasanjo’s highly abused court.
President Yar’adua, for this reason, had to sanction the reversal of the appointment of some police officers, including the double jump of Nuhu Ribadu, the former chairman of EFCC. Many Nigerians may wonder, and rightly so, why Yar’adua who sanctioned the reversal of the accelerated promotion of Ribadu and others approved similar promotion for Dikko and others in violation of the service seniority rule and procedure! Some also question why the rule was applied in the appointment of Onovo, as the new Inspector General of Police, while such was never observed in the case of NCS.
According to findings, three names were initially sent to the Mr President from which he was to pick one. Of the three, Dikko’s name, said a source, was never among. There was the initial assumption that his name was smuggled in at the instance of the Ministry of Finance, the supervisory ministry of the NCS. Latest information, however, allege that this was done by a very top official outside the ministry, but very close to power. This was the general pattern that followed developments in the NCS, including the recent appointments and promotions.
Meanwhile, President Yar’adua had earlier appointed a customs reform committee, headed by one time Comptroller General of the service, and the current deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Halilu. The committee has since completed its assignment, but without legal backing since no letters of appointment were given to members, contrary to presidential directives. To the extent that they were not properly appointed, the outcome of their assignment cannot stand legal validity.
Be that as it may, what is clear from these information is that while President Yar’adua is dedicated to reforming the country along the lines of respect for due process in the conduct of public affairs, some people are bent on frustrating him by ensuring business as usual. Unless he takes the necessary measures against such elements, they will succeed in portraying him in different light before Nigerians. In view of the rapid promotion enjoyed by some customs officers, which landed the top job for one of them, those who supported the reversal of Ribadu’s double promotion must feel disappointed with what happened. It is morally wrong to promote an officer, almost four ranks in a row after punishing another for the same reason.
While, as many insinuate, the recent promotions and appointments in the NCS were done behind the president’s back, the buck, nevertheless, stops on his table.
Umar lives in Kaduna, from where he contributed this article