The stench of arrogance, lies, deceit and corruption in the government of
President Goodluck Jonathan oozes that no amount of image-laundering
cologne will cure. Loyalists and aides never forget to remind us that Mr.
Jonathan is a good man, a gentleman, a respecter of rule of law, God-sent
leader, bla bla. But why would a man with such wonderful attributes that
would make Basir Al-Assad commit suicide, continue to flirt around
terrible individuals? Do I perceive a case of rewarding undiluted loyalty
or unequaled friendship?I am very amazed.
In those days, questionable characters in whatever arm of government
possess a bit of decorum. Many of them, albeit renowned brigands stole
with a measure of sympathy. They looted in a way only their family
members, concubines, close staff and associates found out. The masses were
kept in the dark, at least most of the time. Fast forward to 2013, all
sectors, including the ever-green GRAFT, have undergone huge
transformation, robust growth and tremendous development, which are
visible to every Nigerian at home and in the Diaspora.
Not-minding the earlier crashes and near-crashes witnessed under her
tenure, the country’s Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella
Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, thought it wise or was (wrongly) advised to forestall
any fatality by muzzling out a personal security vote from parastatals
saddled with the responsibility of ensuring both personal security and
collective safety of millions of travelers flying the nation’s airspace!
More appalling, is the fact that the latest scandal for which she has been
indicted occurred only a month before the recent Associated Airlines
accident that killed, sorry, re-killed a former governor and 14 others.
That our oyinbo-accent sister, daughter, wife and mother, needs more
protection than her boss, President Jonathan, is not in any way an
acceptable argument; that one requires two cars worth $1.6m (N255million)
to effectively discharge official duties is ridiculous; that a government
official finds it not abnormal to order agencies under her watch to cough
out a quarter of a billion is shameful; that we had to hear the gist from
the media further shows the level of insecurity and cover-up in
governance; that the accused is still comfortable being the occupier of
the office is a confirmation that integrity is no longer a watchword for
service; that the President may not find this scandal enough reason to
give the Minister the boot is even ridiculous and is paining me to the
marrow!
Justifying the purchase, Joe Obi, the Minister’s media assistant, stated
that his principal inherited a lot of baggage in terms of the terms of
concessions and lease agreements which were not in the interest of the
government and people of Nigeria. To this end, according to him, adequate
security cannot be handled with kid gloves. I ask: Why did it take more
than two years after her swearing-in (July 2, 2011) to realize the urgency
of self-protection from “imminent threat”?
For Ms. Oduah’s information, it is not only her ministry supposed enemies
of the state are targeting. The Ministries of Finance and Agriculture are
also on the radar of the bad guys; probably under more threat when
compared to hers. She must be stupid to think that her confirmation that
she requested the purchase of the automobiles portray her as sincere
person. No ma’m, there is absolutely nothing to explain; records,
receipts, documents and statements from aggrieved personnel gave you away
already.
Federal Government freaks out when opposition leaders, organized Labour,
commentators and activists applaud the Academic Staff of Universities
Union (ASUU) for sustaining the ongoing action. But from the picture its
reckless officials paint, isn’t it clear that contrary to the “we cannot
afford your demands” claim, the country can in fact fulfill the
contentious 2009 agreement? The striking lecturers are no idiots; they
see, hear and read about the countless financial mismanagement and wastage
by the same people who claim no money!
In their tiny brain of illusion, our leaders think that they are smooth,
sleek and smart. The sad part, however, is that a number of them are not
only fools, but are living in fools’ paradise yet they know not. I mean if
they are as brilliant as on paper, how is it possible that less-educated
people catch them by the wrist? How is it possible that despite
diversionary tactics, their secrets blow open eventually?
Ms. Oduah was bold to single-handedly spend N255million of our collective
wealth in a frivolous manner and then say it is for the use of the
establishment. Going by the outcry trailing the purchase, what if her
successor decides to do without the “utility vehicles”? In a clime where
voodooism is still in high practice, the next Minister could reject the
cars for fear that Ms. Oduah’s traducers have cast a spell on the
fortified BMW 760s.
As we’ve all seen, heavy cosmetic make-up can only cover the spots,
blemishes and wrinkles our faces, it does not (and will never) do the
magic on dishonesty, crass attitude, shady deals and corrupt tendencies.
The President will do himself, his government and the nation a world of
good by dropping this woman from his cabinet. I am counting on the hope
that he will do this without further delay. I would not bet on it though.
@WaleOdunsi
wodunsi@yahoo.com