Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has asked the
sitting president to probe him and leave his ex-ministers alone. This is coming
on the intent of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to probe former
education minister Oby Ezekwesili.
The ex president spoke at the thanksgiving service held
for the former minister who turned 50 recently. In his words:
“I have always said this, whatever you want to blame in my government,
blame me, don’t blame any of those people who assisted me. If there is any
credit to dispense we share it. “But for anything you want to say is wrong, I
was the one in charge and I was in charge.”
As admirable as the ex-president’s declarations are, his
offer for self probe will only serve as a shield to his loyalists and 'over-amplify' our corruption profile. Going by the words of the president and his body
language on the issue of corruption, the ex-president has no question to answer
for his actions while in office. Some of his ministers on the other hand do,
especially the ones who are able to call our attention to the rot in his
administration. Obviously, the Jonathan administration does not have the nerve
or resolve to probe the ex-president. It will rather pick on his ministers who
are presently criticizing his administration on social network.
Oby Ezekwesili has been active on social media showing
with facts that the present administration is a rotten can of worms. She calls
on Nigerians to engage their leaders at all levels while encouraging optimism
in the Nigerian project. One of her tweets in recent times read: oby ezekwesili @obyezeks
#WeMustKeepBelieving: The
word Tragedy is an understatement when a nation loses at least 185 CITIZENS in
1 day. Where are our TRUE ELDERS??
Another ex-minister who has been under scrutiny by the
present administration is Chief Fani Kayode. The former aviation minister has
also been a critic of the present administration hence his difficulties with
the Jonathan regime.
While this writer does not object to probing
ex-ministers, he objects to probing them because they are critics of the
administration. Justice should not be selective. Were the affected ministers
partisan supporters of the administration, they obviously will enjoy their
inactive stays in peace.
Perhaps Chief Obasanjo’s challenge to the president
should be taken. Nigerians for instance will like to see and hear how billions
of dollars were spent on the power sector. Strange it is that a country spends
that much and remains in darkness.
Considering that there is an immunity clause which
protects our elected officials from prosecution while in office, it becomes
necessary that upon leaving office that an independent probe be set up with a
view of determining how accountable and prudent an outgoing regime was. Where
culpable, such regime should be made to face a full weight of the law. Our National
Assembly has been a passive one on a number of issues, it has not served as a
correct check to executive excesses.
As it is, injustice remains served to the Nigerian people
until former governments and regimes are held accountable for their actions
while in office. Selective justice is
equally injustice. It is better for the Jonathan administration to pursue a holistic
approach to the past regime instead of starting a selective witch hunt targeted
at unfriendly ex-ministers.
What do you think? Should Jonathan probe president Obasanjo's regime or continue his selective witch hunt?
Comments