End of A Remarkable Era
By Yemi Adegbite
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
yemiadegbite@nigeriahorizon.com
My beloved country is slipping back to a neck-deep corruption period again. The force of darkness has once again perfected its sacrilegious act. IG is the cannon-fodder used to achieve the obnoxious aim this time around.
The methodical removal of Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu is an attempt to further plunge the country back into corruption like never before. We have all seen this coming for a long time now, the government particularly the AGF who appears to be the godfather of treasury looters and all the disgruntled elements that are sworn enemies of EFCC have been looking for any slight opportunity to get rid of Ribadu, they finally found a willing tool in the person of Mike Okiro, the IG of Police. I sincerely think the time has come for Ribadu to quit the police force. He has already made his mark; nothing else is there to conquer.
Many people have argued for and against the decision of the IG to send Ribadu to Kuru on a compulsory one year course, many people whom I think should know better put up arguments that did not fly to say the least. One of such arguments was that, the outfit was not built around an individual and that if an individual is removed, the outfit should not be less effective! These learned people refused to realize that effectiveness is a function of the right leadership. Using Eze’s analogy, putting aircraft on auto-pilot presupposes that, the plane is first stabilized before is put on auto pilot. The EFCC is far from being stabilized. The pioneering leader who is able to lay good and solid foundation will determine the future efficacy of any organization. Ribadu needs time to stabilize the EFCC before handing over to another formidable successor, certainly not by suddenly sending him to Jos on a compulsory course that benefits nobody except the plotters.
Nuhu Ribadu is one of such rare Nigerians who is committed to do whatever it takes to carry out the mandate of the commission. He has demonstrated that one person could really make a difference beyond any reasonable doubt. As Head of the EFCC, Ribadu has endeared himself into the hearts of many Nigerians home and abroad, even including non Nigerians alike.
In the history of mankind, people have always resented anybody that can take away their freedom by force if need be. As a result of the work placed on his shoulders by fate, he has many enemies among the people of timber and caliber as well as men of iron and steel, coupled with his effectiveness and doggedness as a leader, which even complicates his problems and makes him an easy target for the shameless but affluent rouges in the society, so Ribadu is easily an endangered person in Nigeria. I am not surprised that many people want him out of office, some even want him dead! Many of his arch-enemies are now in the state of delirium, whatever victory these people think they have now will be short-lived for sure because hatred, even though could destroy so much, it never failed to destroy the man who hated, this is just the immutable law.
The IG, Mr. Mike Okiro is now following the wrong path, he would have only himself to blame in the end. Nigerians cannot be fooled, not anymore. The idea of sending Nuhu Ribadu on a compulsory course at Kuru is not only ill-advised, it is ill-timed ill-motivated, unnecessary, nonsensical, spurious and dubious. It is a systemic conspiracy that will fall flat and blast on your face. Why is it so important to send Ribadu to Kuru at this moment? In whose interest is this course? Why can’t this wait till his tenure runs out? Why the urgency? The truth is that Ribadu has no need for any course at the moment, what is important to Nigerians now is to leave Ribadu alone and let him continue with his odious task and boost our public image around the world. That is the most important task any Nigerian can undertake for us now at this critical moment.
Mr. Okiro, if you must know, all Nigerians can read between the lines, from what you did and did not say, we know that this is a plot from the very top echelon of the government, this is a betrayal of the people, this is an attempt to expose and eliminate Ribadu, there is no way any of you can defend this policy and Nigerians know better. All of you will be held accountable.
In many reputable democracies around the world, whenever a perfect person is found for a perfect position, such person is left to do his or her best for the country and humanity.
Why is it different in Nigeria? What is wrong with our race? Why can’t somebody put an end to this vicious circle? Yar’dua, if you are competent as some people are wont to say, now is the time to prove it.
It is unfortunate the president has made himself a soccer ball that can be kicked in any direction whatsoever without voicing his own opinion! It is very clear now that Yar’dua is not as committed to eradicating corruption as he made the public to believe. He has turned deaf ears to Nigerians on many sensitive issues, hiding under the rule of law. What use is the rule of law when the government itself is lawless?
The Act that establishes the EFCC made it clear under what circumstances the leader of the commission can be removed, and in this case the Act is not even cited let alone being followed.
Nigerians home and abroad have very high hopes in the EFCC, the body is the only reason why many people forgave Obasanjo for his blunders during his regime, it is the only enduring legacy of Obasanjo’s administration, it is now under a very fierce and intense assault, one wonders what EFCC will become if Ribadu is removed without a viable successor. All of us know that the conspiracy to remove Ribadu was plotted and hatched by the people who benefited from the corrupt system and the only purpose is to put their errand boy who will carry out their biddings.
One sure thing is that Nigerians will survive you all, after all where are the looters of yester years? They have all gone, and all of you poachers and looters would likewise go and your memories would be cut short, while Ribadu would ever be remembered as one fine cop who did his best for his country.
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