1st September, 2015
PRESS RELEASE:
BUHARI’S
APPOINTMENTS:
NIGERIANS
MUST CHANGE ETHNIC MINDSET
The most recent appointments made by
President Muhammadu Buhari have been greeted with a tornado of criticisms from
several quarters. The Federal Government named Engr. Babachir David Lawal
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Abba Kyari, Chief of
Staff, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs
Service, Kure Martins Abeshi, Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service
Sentor Ita S. J. Enang and Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu as Special Advisers on
National Assembly Matters, Senate and House of Representatives respectively.
The crux of the rejecting voices is
the complaint by ethnic groups like Afenifere and Ndigbo that they have been marginalized
in the appointments made so far.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
considers the outcry unnecessary. It is a product of negative perceptions and a
manifestation of ethnic jingoism. The criticisms cannot be justified
by any objective parameter. Worse still, opposition to those appointments cement
our fear that Nigeria cannot be called a country any more than a log of woods
can be referred to as a ship.
Nigeria is not yet a nation-state. Instead
of thinking of the country, most Nigerians think first of their states of
origin or even the narrow confines of their clans.
We are baffled that a people who
voted for change are not patient enough to allow that change to take place. Ministers, heads and members of
parastatals and boards are yet to be announced but we are already passing
judgement. Appointments under past regimes were made via political godfathers
and on the basis of tribal distribution.
But what did we get from that
anachronistic and clannish system? Public office holders looted ad infinitum and attempts at checking
them were frustrated by their powerful godfathers and ethnic groups who turned
the thieves into heroes.
Have Nigerians forgotten so soon? A South-South
governor defrauded his state blind, managed to escape justice in Nigeria but
Nemesis caught up with him in England. He jumped bail over there, disguised as
a woman and arrived Nigeria only to be welcomed by a mammoth crowd in his home
state. A top politician in the South-West who was jailed for corruption was met
at the prison gates by his ‘aso-ebi’-clad kinsmen who jubilated as if the man
had just won an election.
It appears that the goal of each
ethnic group is to get political appointment for the smartest rogue in its
midst. Nay, we seem to be expecting our sons and daughters to bring loot from
Abuja. How can we celebrate kleptomaniacs so shamelessly?
Instead of behaving like brainwashed
ethnic zealots, MURIC advocates objective assessment of appointments. What
Nigeria needs to change and move forward are men and women of integrity. We
need people with robust pedigrees, men and women of impeccable character, only
such people can turn this country around.
We all know that Buhari alone cannot
take Nigeria to El-Dorado if he is surrounded by thieves and criminals. He
needs like-minds to succeed. So what is the uproar about? It was in this
country that a graduate of Yoruba language was employed as an engineer in a
water corporation. No wonder Nigerians have no access to portable water. How
can we continue to put square pegs in round holes and expect good results?
We warn Nigerians not to confuse Mr.
President. The East is crying marginalization because an Igbo man is not on the
list. Afenifere is mimicking the East even without having the mandate of all
sections in Yorubaland. The North is complaining that Buhari picked Christians
from the North. Yet it is not as if some have not been represented, their
grudge is they want more, like Oliver Twist.
In particular, many appear to be
suffering from a chronic anti-North phobia. Nigerians need to be
more broadminded. We do not have to live a life that is permanently based on suspicion of one
another. Yet come to think of it, it was the North that gave Buhari the
decisive millions which turned the table. What becomes of the goose that lays
the golden eggs?
Had Buhari’s appointments tilted
towards Muslims the noise of Islamisation would have been deafening. Where are
those who tried to use religion to divide us? Where are those who claimed that
Buhari’s party was an Islamic party and that the man himself was a Muslim
fanatic? Nigeria parades too many confusionists, numerous alarmists and
uncountable advocates diaboli.
MURIC appeals to Nigerians to change
their mindset. Let us focus on credibility instead of ethnicity. Let our target
be excellence and not mediocrity. The National Orientation Agency has a lot to
do in this direction. Nigerians urgently need a reengineering session. Let us
encourage our leaders to pick the right persons for the right job.
In conclusion, we advise the
leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to enforce its policy of
party supremacy in the issue of appointments in order to avoid sacrificing
excellence on the altar of mediocrity. This was what brought the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) down. Cluelessness should not be hereditary across political
parties.
Professor
Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim
Rights Concern (MURIC)
No comments:
Post a Comment