Nigeria: Don't ever let them back

The entitlement complex

As was to be expected, I talked about the entitlement complex that drives certain political jobbers in Nigeria who have nothing to offer apart from having their snouts in the trough bilking Nigeria of its resources to the detriment of the populace.

Also, there was no doubt that there would be lobbying and jockeying for positions by sycophants and their so-called godfathers [1] who think their influence on powers that be helps boost their egos which is an outward expression of malevolence.

It would however appear the Acting President would not be true to type, he is making decisions outside the ambit of the ruling party and all those who think their input into the polity should be considered, some are already running scared.

Ruling party ruled out

I would also expect that the ruling party having withdrawn any support for the 2011 election from the Acting President even if his tenure produces the best leadership we have had in a long time will be learning a few good lesson in objective loyalties in turbulent times.

What is most irksome is the sacked ministers who it appears are begging [2] to return to post but not to service – these washed-out jobbers who cannot make a life out of anything but wheeling and dealing for personal benefit and corrupt enterprise need to be back blood-sucking Nigeria dry as they have grown accustomed to for a lifetime.

These spineless, gutless, feckless, ball-less nonentities who were grossly derelict in their duties as ministers and when Nigeria faced a critical crisis of leadership now want to return as sycophants of Acting President Jonathan.

Country before self

One would hope they will never get another opportunity to do anything in the name of Nigerians; they should be consigned to the scrapheap of history and ignominy, hopefully investigated for impropriety leading to indictment and disgrace.

I do not think the Acting President needs “Yes-men”, men without backbone who have no idea of their brief and are fearful to have initiative, insight, ideas and beneficial concepts for the sake of Nigeria.

We want people who would put country before self, those who understand duty and service, especially those who have worked in other fields of beneficial endeavour apart for chronic influence peddling and grease-pole climbing.

Outside the normal channels

There might have been a time when the input of the governors might have been useful, but surely the Acting President can use a broader spectrum of input to select the right people to create a talent pool of respectable ministers who can be role models of service to Nigerians, one and all.

I hope we do not adopt the “wait and see” default that has characterised new regimes in Nigeria but offer the support and views that would help the government seek better goals, aims and purposes for the good of Nigeria – this starts with nominating qualified and able ministers.

Sources

[1] allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Big Guns Jostle for Cabinet Posts

[2] Sacked ministers beg to return | Vanguard News Online

Nigeria: We need public servants not politicians

Seeing beyond the sacking

It is important that we do not become blinded by the euphoria around the presumed acquisition of balls by President Goodluck Jonathan in the dissolution of the Federal Executive Council comprising of ministers, advisers and aides.

For long many have vociferously expected some typically Nigerian political posturing from Dr. Jonathan who quietly had tried to exert authority and found that entrenched positions left him with no other option to be dissolve a deeply divided council.

Let us however review the actions of the ministers after they were told they no more have some official duty to perform in the name of Nigerians even though they remain Nigerians with a stake in what happens to the country.

Sullen and bitter people

It is said [1] that many of the ministers could not muster the dignity to depart the council chambers through the usual exit route but stealthily disappeared to collect their personal effects from their offices and in the process they might well handover to the permanent secretaries in their respective ministries.

One minister who did make an appearance was the now ex-Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili who apparently rocked the boat within the timeliness that offered the National Assembly the impetus to offer the substantive leadership of the country in an acting capacity to the vice president.

Whilst she announced that the Acting President had dissolved the council, she had not further information about why apart from indicating all ministers were to handover their portfolios to the leading civil servants in their ministries.

No appreciation or thanks

What we all missed in the briefing which was her last was a note of thanks and gratitude for the opportunity to serve Nigeria and Nigerian, the seeming sullen atmosphere around the ministers conveyed a sense of personal loss and bitterness even though they have belonged to a privileged few that are ever called upon to serve.

I would suppose the staff in their ministries will not be lining up to see them off, rather, in what seems like the loss of clout that feed the megalomania of office their underlings might well be saying good riddance.

The other minister from whom we heard words, sums it all up and it needs to be remembered well, he was the Minister of Labour, Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure and he said, “I used to be the Minister of Labour but now I am no more.” How very ominous, no more the minister or no more in a position to be an ungracious public servant of worth and exemplary conduct?

On being asked what he intended doing after holding that post, not one word of appreciation and gratitude was offered for his tenure, rather we heard him say, “I am a politician and I will continue to be one until I die.”

Public servants not politicians

One would think we have enough politicians in Nigeria who get paid for politicking serving their own selfish interests acquiring for themselves influence and patronage with impunity, one really wonders when we would every get public servants as ministers, people of honour with just a tinge of humility and perspective who recognise that it is privilege out of 150 million Nigerians to be called to serve in whatever capacity.

If anything, this is what I seek in the crop of new ministers to be presented to the Nigerian Senate, honourable and humble people who have a sense of duty whilst appreciating they have been called to service of a great nation and people – the fact that we pay them should even impress that knowledge the more.

We cannot afford to continue to pay political leeches whose personal interests and ambitions matter more than the Nigeria that gives them the platform from which to project the worse of ability and talent that Nigerians in general have.

I do remember writing [2] in May 2008 another blog on this matter where some politician thought he was entitled to demand where to serve, it is a shame we still have that kind of entitlement mindset amongst our politicians.

Sources

[1] Vanguard News Online: Jonathan sacks ministers

[2] Nigeria: Ambassadors, be honoured to serve or get lost [akin.blog-city.com]