By Onyenwe Princely
Senator John Kerry once said, ”In Africa, as elsewhere, there is a deep hunger for governments that are legitimate, honest and effective. That we should have no doubt that progress in democratic governance will lead to gains in every other field about which we are concerned.” In Nigeria, there are indicative signs and presuppositions that All Progressive congress, APC party can stabilize ravaging anomalies and prosper its citizens if only the yardstick of change so echoed is duly implemented without prejudice or favor. These and other challenges should not be overemphasized not minding whose chances is god. This will enable us forestall sanctity in the entire public range to include all kinds of appointments. Hence the long expected ministerial appointments should be devoid of manipulations, self-indulgence, covetousness and resentment after a widespread screening exercise by the senate.
The secrets behind the acceptability of the screening process for the ministers are unveiled making it easy for the committee assigned this critical function to present their reports before the senate within a specified period of time. It has been agreed upon by the stakeholders to make amends before time as the nominees could stand the constitutional chance for withdrawal if they are proved guilty of any offence by the committee on Ethics, privileges and public petitions against the name of nominees before the commencement of final screening exercise proper.
It is note worthy the senators had adopted the criteria for screening and the requirement set by the senators perhaps were drawn from the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stressing that its outcome will determine the actual state of the polity.
Apparently, the Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki has urged all elected public officials irrespective of political party leanings to have a common goal and make recommendation of ministers’ choice to work in the overall interest of Nigerian people having President Buhari on the mantle of leadership.
You see, it is not yet a time to conclude on the rumor making round that Saraki is still of the PDP caucus neither is it a time to flaw the senators. It may not pay Nigerians good to adjudge the President wrongly .Going by the names already released in the list, evidence populi has criticized that majority of the names as same old wine in the new bottle. But our President has assured us his best to discharge Honorous responsibility making change the epicenter of governance.
It may have taking a lengthy period of time to announce this cabinet. It may have been delayed for good but the truth of the matter is that Nigerians have longed for ministers and leaders of integrity and reliable standing. It is advisable of APC henchmen and other elected officials not to high-jack nomination of ministers to enrich their mundane quest for materialism rather nominations that will do Nigerians good. The due expectation of Nigerian youths and the women affirmative status to include them in the ministerial appointments must not be overemphasized. Their lamentations are based on the facts that the youths are the watchdogs of the society while the women are the political stabilizers of the human society and if they are not captured properly may set Nigeria’s political credentials backwards.
Perceptibly from my view, I see corruption as inherent in the human nature and it could only take a dogged and compassionate leader to reduce it to its lowest minimum. The reason I am not bothered is the singular reason that every human being is prone to mistakes and as such there is no government on earth completely free from corruption. Nigerians will agree with me that the flight to greatness is not so sudden. In as much as we are developing gradually, the process of change is what we are going through and with like minds and joint efforts, corruption will certainly be reduced.
It is not the time for certain immunities to outdo the sanctity of democracy promised by the President in line with the APC slogan of CHANGE. If it is predictable that change is a great substance in Nigeria’s administration then every citizenry must be involved in its vanguard to speed up development. This is expected to include loyalty, dedication and compassion as veritable ingredients of service. May I for the rationale of patriotism plead the indulgence of our political leaders to try as much as possible to re instate political decorum and stability?
President Buhari is improving on his managerial skills by cutting cost on unwarranted expenses and reduction in the number of appointments as 36numbers ministerial nominees are released so far. We can begin to encourage his efforts and advice him to respond to industrial transformation, human resources empowerment, massive job creation, improved human rights standard, effective security network, and improved welfare package for Nigerian workers, increase in power generation, respect of the rule of law, freedom of the press. Intensified fight against Boko Haram insurgency, creation of more states in the south eastern Nigeria and equality in the national share.
The squabble between the National Leadership of APC may have been a transformation process of change, which the APC Party upholds quoting Senator Bukola Saraki and Bola Tinubu as birds of identical feathers. The detractors have capitalize on speculations while Tinubu has reaffirmed he would not loss aside a lifetime’s labor because of alleged slight and certainly would not join the Senator Saraki turbulence in this government which may be the nations last best chance to salvage itself. It is evidently true that APC government under President Buhari has promised Nigerians quality governance, there are indications that the DSS, Police, CCB have concluded backgrounds checks on nominees. An accumulation of petitions that flooded the senators from across the state where some interest groups opposed to some nominations must also be tackled accordingly despite rumors on lobbing of law makers.
Having in mind that Nigeria is an increasingly important partner to the developing nations, a lot need to be done to reinforce our democracy. At last, our great nation Nigeria will welcome on board their new breed of model ministers to outwash the anxiety already incurred. Congratulations!