A ‘mere commissioner’, a thorn in the side of the ruthlessly ambitious

By Tabia Princewill

WE are living dangerous, interesting times: Nigeria is under attack once again. This time however, our country’s opponents are more treacherous. We should all be alarmed by their ability to fool us with their apparent sophistication and worldliness.

Their pedigree, their background, their elite education, their well-advertised experience of governance (even if it is false) adds to the impression of competence which we so naively believe. These aren’t the usual thugs and hooligans Nigerians had grown accustomed to, the sort who couldn’t string together two sentences in English.

The allegations trailing these men are enough to garner the reputation of a pathological addiction to crime. The arrogance of such individuals, who would refer to a Vice-President as a “mere commissioner” is telling.

They believe they were born for the top job, they think it is theirs and are ready to do whatever they must to become President. They see the Acting President’s capability as a direct threat and have begun to plot. Nigerians must counter their moves: what they want is a thief’s paradise, the sort of Nigeria which hasn’t existed since the 80s, a land of infinite possibilities for the looter, where ordinary Nigerians are powerless, doomed to watch the careless spending, the ruthless theft.

We must not allow it.Why are the Senators, suddenly, once again, obsessed with the removal of Magu as EFCC Chairman if not because there is possibly a script, a plan, crafted by the ruthlessly ambitious, to seize power by whatever means? There is an attempt to subvert the constitution, to show the poor and powerless Nigerian citizen that in this game called politics, some men are born to rule and that a “mere commissioner” can’t defeat a man born with a silver spoon who believes Nigeria belongs to him.

This isn’t about ethnicity, this isn’t about religion. They might try to trick the masses into believing this but this is nothing more than ambition, in its darkest and most wicked form, at play. The sponsors of the restructuring agenda, of the herdsmen, of all the conflicts detonating across the country are playing their parts well.

They tried to float the kite of a possible return to military rule, they tried to sell the idea that a coup would (or even should) come, they have tried all manner of tricks and strategies to stop the Acting President from assuming this role, they try to sabotage him. incessantly, but it won’t work. Not if Nigerians continue to be watchful and most of all, vocal.

Why did Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe ask the Senate to declare the Senate President, Bukola Saraki “Acting President?” Why does the Senate keep pushing for a new interpretation of our laws which obviously seems to benefit certain interests? Only if the Vice-President (now Acting President Osinbajo) is incapacitated can the Sentate President legally become the Acting President. Osinbajo’s trip abroad to represent Nigeria during the African Union summit does not enable such a scenario, no matter how much some people might wish it.

There was no power vacuum. Let us stop using big words to inflame the polity and cause confusion, all to benefit certain people and their careers. The problem in Nigeria is that too many citizens are not educated enough about the law and its implications, they have no points of comparison, know little about the workings of democracy, their own personal rights or the responsibilities of government, which is why politicians can make virtually any statement, unquestioned and cause panic. Nigerians, be wise, be careful, a game is being played and it isn’t to your benefit.

Some people seek power for power’s sake. They have no plans to better the life of the average Nigeria. They want a lawless Nigeria where complaints from those without money or power are silenced. They want a Nigeria where they are free to wheel and deal as they place, scam the system and put Nigerians to sleep with meaningless stories and rhetoric.

They are petrified of the idea of an Osinbajo Presidency, assisted by an empowered Magu as substantive EFCC Chairman. They are scared of what such a duo could do if given the chance. As we continue to hope and pray for the safe return of Muhammadu Buhari who championed the anti-corruption fight without which much of the information available now about the inner workings and rottenness of arms procurement, would have remained secret, Nigerians must make quick, informed calculations and realise by whom they would be best served.

The ambitious have a lot of money at their disposal; unimaginable sums in fact, to subvert the course of justice, to silence the media and anyone who dares question them. A “mere commissioner”, is the metaphorical David, written off by the Goliaths of this world, only to show that he was chosen for a purpose.

All crooked paths will be made straight. It is up to Nigerians to ensure this: keep talking, keep tweeting, keep shouting at the top of your lungs about the kind of country you deserve, most of all, refuse to be taken in by the seductive tricks of some mischievous, ruthlessly ambitious individuals.

 

Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim

IN due time, all is revealed. The former governor, now a Senator, due to some strange custom in Nigeria which  automatically sends governors to the Senate, no matter their track record, who once claimed Sharia law would make Yobe free from vice (of which prostitution and adultery, the irony is priceless!), was caught on video “entertaining”, to put it mildly, two ladies.

The hypocrisy of it all! Boko Haram made Yobe its playground, almost as a direct consequence of the religious fanaticism which has been championed not just in the North but all over the country by many insincere individuals. It seems Sharia law only punishes the poor, the rich are never found guilty of theft, adultery or fornication. Senator Ibrahim admitted to being the person on the tape in a rather flippant manner, claiming his entitlement to a “private life”.

Why then did the US Senate attempt to impeach Clinton? Didn’t he have a right to a “private life” too? It is most unfortunate that we have sunk so low that the question of ethics in public life is so misunderstood.

Compromising the dignity of one’s office means nothing in a country where one can preside over a law-making body while being on trial for breaking the law while also being judged by a man who also was on trial for subverting the course of justice. What a country!

 

Ibrahim Magu

SOME Senators keep pushing for interpretations of the Constitution which benefit certain interests, especially those, it seems, of people who have much to fear if the system is allowed to work properly.

I wrote an article a few months ago “who is afraid of Ibrahim Magu” which still holds true. Corruption is fighting back the only way it can by creating confusion and courting needless controversy.

The EFCC is an extra-ministerial department under the Presidency which nominates the chairman. It isn’t an issue of the Senate being a “rubber stamp”, this is mere trickery to confuse Nigerians.

The Senate can’t legally direct the Acting President to remove Mr. Magu. If some senators want executive powers, they should have pursued careers under the executive branch of government. Let’s stop mixing things simply to protect certain people from investigation or the re-opening of cases. It is criminal and would be recognised as such in any other country.

We can’t have two standards in one country, where the poor, lesser mortals are lynched and stoned for stealing bread and the rich have perpetual immunity for stealing much more. Those Senators who know right from wrong must fight to be on the right side of history because when finally, crooked paths are straight again, there will be no room for excuses.

 

Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the co-host and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

 

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