The present apprehensions being expressed by Nigerians of most
persuasions, and a lot of watchers of events from the international
angle over the continuation or removal of Nuhu Ribadu as the chairman
of the popular anti corruption Commission should be carefully
appraised. The essence of the war against financial crimes should not
be too personalized, and must be institutionalized to ensure its
continuity.
Be that as it may, nothing should be taken away from the courageous
efforts and pioneering battles of Nuhu Ribadu as the first chairman of
the Commission. His personal efforts have more than any other,
marshaled and propelled the success of the Commission. Several men from
outside the shores of Nigeria have continued to sing praises of the
Commission, and the chairman has been given many awards from
international bodies for the redeeming war of the Commission under his
watch.
The fear of the Commission has been the beginning of caution to most
executives who hitherto had been doing dirty business as usual.
Nuhu Ribadu deserves praises and should be pardoned for whatever minor
mistakes committed by him, or his men or women in the carrying out of
their delicate duties. Only very few men or women in the Nigeria Police
could do what he has done without being compromised. He has shown
unusual bravery in tackling hitherto untouchables in the Nigerian
society, and also courage in going after people who have both the
physical and financial muscle to counter him. This is a salute to
courage.
However, there is a similarity between the present situation involving
Nuhu Ribadu and the pioneer of the world renowned Federal Bureau of
Investigations in America. The man - John Edgar Hoover was a powerful
head of the Federal Bureau of Investigations in America who became so
powerful that even the Senators, top executives and the White House
were in awe of him. He was reputed to have kept tabs on many highly
placed men and women in the American society, and people were scared of
what he could do.
He worked very hard for the achievement of civility and sanity in the
public and sectors of the American society. His works helped to
eradicate graft – both overt and covert, made the policemen and women
to shun bribes, eradicated public stealing, and brought decency into
the realm of politics in the American society. His bureau was
instrumental in tracking collusions between nationals of America and
other countries against whatever interests of the United States of
America.
However, he soon became too powerful, almost for the State to control.
His office was over personalized and he had access even to some privacy
of top men and women while most people saw him as the office and the
office as him.
It is therefore instructive to learn from the John Hoover’s history in
office and apply to Nuhu Ribadu’s chairmanship. The office of the
chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Nigeria
demands a strong personality as seen in Nuhu Ribadu. It will be wrong
to assume that there is no other Nuhu Ribadu in the present Nigeria, no
matter how corrupt the public realm has become in Nigeria.
There is the important need to agree with all public commentators who
have suggested that the EFCC chair should not be personalized, and if
Ribadu has to move on to other areas, let it be. It is not unimportant
as well, to do a diligent background checking of whoever is to assume
the office. It is also apposite that whoever is going to mount the
saddles as Inspector General of Police, Attorney General or EFCC chair
be sound and men whom the spoils of office can not purchase.
It is a truism that the offices such as those defending public interest
and image should be institutionalized, and never personalized.
Nigerians are all agreed that the type of Nuhu Ribadu could be scarce,
but will also agree that there are other Nuhu Ribadus all over the
country. As much as Ngozi Iweala performed creditably as Nigeria’s
Finance Head during her time, that should not mean Nigeria would not
find equally good Nigerian quality like or her. This was the argument
of this writer when she quit as a Minister because of her redeployment
some months ago.
There is no doubting the quality of some of the people working for
Nigeria like Ribadu, but there is a big harm in personalizing the
offices.
The present regime in Nigeria should not confuse Nigerians with its
often repeated vow to have a zero tolerance for corruption. The
President should also not disappoint many Nigerians who have placed
some beliefs in him as capable of providing intellectual difference
from the roguish styles of the past. He needs to be firm and very clear
with his leadership decisions and steps.
If he wants to remove Ribadu, let him go ahead and take his decision as
the buck will stop on his desk. He should not dilly dally or allow
people to start second guessing his moves.
It is important that the very best in courage and firm principles like
Ribadu should be appointed to replace him. Some retired police or
military men or civilians of quality abound all over Nigeria. This
writer would readily mention the likes of Abubakar Tsav who could serve
with the same diligence as Ribadu.
Yaradua will not be doing himself any good if he allows the public to
second guess or speculate his moves because of some unexplainable
delays associated with them.
He also needs to show that he is own man, and prove to Nigeria that the
stealing and killings under Obasanjo will not go unraveled.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has brought tremendous
goodwill and respects to the image of Nigeria. It is important that the
Commission be not compromised, or its teeth removed.
The President needs to take an unemotional look at the roles being
played by the present Attorney General vis-à-vis his due process
mouthing and actual relationship with the government’s stance on public
stealing. The President should not hesitate to remove the Attorney
General or any clog in his wheel of marching towards helping the
Nigerian nation to become Africa’s leading light.
