-By Ayodele Adegbuyi
There is no doubt that politics is in the air because of the fast approaching 2015 elections. Politicians can do anything, including destroying the image of the country they aspire to govern just to score cheap political points and discredit the sitting government.
The advertorial by an amorphous writer which was published by a national daily last week to coincide with the World Economic Forum meeting with the above headline was to say the least, a shame and national embarrassment. The sponsored advert was begging the world leaders to
become meddlesome interlopers when he asked them to intervene in the economic pauperisation, the financial recklessness, and unabating corruption he alleged were in the country.
And to show him for the fraud he was, his advertorial was unsigned, a clear case of unethical conduct by the newspaper that published, except if it was an editorial of that paper masquerading as an advert.
The writer went further to urge the world leaders to ask the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison Maduekwe to account for an alleged N10 billion she used to fly private jets, and the alleged $20 billion missing money at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
My first reaction to this show of shame is to state that though the sponsor of the said advert has exercised his/her constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression; it was a clearly unpatriotic act.
Asking people of another country to intervene in a purely local affair of a sovereign state just to score cheap political gain is the height of disservice to one's father land. On the issues raised by the writer on poverty, unemployment and corruption, it is pertinent to educate him that no country in the world has been able to tackle these problems completely. Countries have learnt to manage them without washing their dirty linens in the public.
Contrary to what the sponsor of the said advert wanted the WEFA to believe, discerning observers are aware that efforts are being made by the present administration to create jobs for people through agricultural revolution and other initiatives going on all over the country.
The power sector reforms that has just been kick started will no doubt create employment and reduce poverty. In the area of infrastructure, I am aware that several road construction projects are going on all over the country. The second Niger Bridge and the East-West road are in progress just to mention a few.
It is a shame that we are not in the habit of celebrating success and the efforts being made to improve our living condition. On the contrary, we rather pour scorn on people who try to make a difference in our lives through dedicated service.
On the issue of alleged N10 billion used to fly private jets. At the risk of being accused of interfering with court process, since the matter is in court, it is a universally known and acclaimed principle that a person shall not be condemned before being heard. It is a fact
that a member of a particular opposition political party in the House of Representatives from the South-West brought the issue before the members of the House. The House in its wisdom directed the probe of the allegation. The committee that was mandated to probe the allegation, the Public Accounts Committee is also headed by a member of the opposition party from Lagos. Curiously, before the probe commenced, that same party asked the Minister to resign through a paid advertisement without giving her the opportunity of being heard. How will the interest of justice be served when a particular party is the accuser and the judge in the matter.
On the alleged missing $20 billion from NNPC coffers, let me borrow a biblical saying that "this is the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob" to explain the scenario here. The whistle blower, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the estwhile Governor of the Central Bank decided to take the matter to the public domain even before reconciliations were done with the relevant ministry or agency. This led him to at a point retract his earlier claims. Beside this, the question is: are there no channels of communication between him, an employee of government, and his employer, if such perceived anomaly is noticed? To many, Sanusi allowed himself to
be used by the opposition party to discredit the government. To further underscore this is the fact that the Apex Bank headed by Sanusi was not immune to financial recklessness during his tenure. What is more, the matter is already before the Senate which is doing everything possible to unearth the truth concerning the alleged missing money.
Concerned about the way the issue was being politicised and to get to the root of the matter, the government commissioned a globally renowned audit firm, Price Water House Cooper to do a forensic audit of the NNPC account. If all these efforts are ongoing, why would the author of the advert still be calling on world leaders to intervene?
In the meantime, it remains an allegation that $20 billion is missing in NNPC until the report of the forensic audit is out and the Senate is able to verify the claim. Until then, all that is going on is idle rumour mongering and needless political gymnastics.
This kind of unguarded politicking can only dissuade investors and subject the country and her citizens to ridicule. Except that was the motive of the unpatriotic advertiser.
Ayodele Adegbuyi, an Abuja-based commentator on public affairs wrote from ayonice2006@yahoo.com
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