I began reading articles by Reuben Abati published in Guardian newspapers in 1999. It was always witty, intelligent, fearless and very illuminating. Most importantly, it is backed by credibility and legitimacy. The credibility of a genuinely patriotic and intelligent Nigerian untainted by any political shenanigan or leanings and the legitimacy of a fearless journalist with high integrity trusted by all. A typical Reuben Abati’s article was worth billions of Naira in its unquestionable and flawless integrity.
This used to be the Reuben Abati I began to know in late nineties – as a young UNN graduate. Another journalist I recall that shared same podium of respect in Guardian Newspapers is Paul Nwabiukwu. They are also a few others I can’t recall their names now. These men had my respect and respect of millions of long suffering Nigerians. Some still do. These men were warriors in professional journalistic writings. Their writings informed, enlightened, highlighted, illuminated, educated, etc. I recall storing newspapers clips of the articles which appeared in weekday Guardian newspapers for re-reading on weekends. Yes. They were that good.
When the news broke that Reuben Abati has accepted be a political actor at the beck and call of Nigerian politicians and political appointees, my heart sank. When Paul Nwabiukwu followed suit, I lost all hope for the brand of journalism these two men represented. Such was the depth of my disappointment that I clearly recall muttering to myself “that’s the end of innocence for these men”. They will forever lose that credibility and legitimacy that was invaluable to their acceptability and journalistic professionalism. I prayed they will resign and salvage some level of integrity and return to their true calling. They never did. The available lucre in the corridors of power in Nigeria is just too attractive but I actually believed these men could resist it. They failed. Infact, Paul is still issuing statements defending some past actions of his boss – Ngozi Okonkjo-Iweala - while in office.
Even when Reuben Abati was compelled to work with Doyin Okupe, the self-acclaimed attack lion of Nigeria, I thought Reuben’s original integrity will prevail on him to resign. No. He stayed on clinging to power, sharing notes with Doyin Okupe et al. That’s when I knew that Reuben has transformed. He has lost that credibility and legitimacy that made him unique. One needs to read his articles before joining Government and while in Government to see how a man can change under the influence of Nigerian politicians. No wonder whatever most Nigerian politicians touch never go well.
Reuben Abati’s article about the perceived excesses of Patience Jonathan before joining PDP Government and his supportive speeches and articles about same Patience Jonathan while employed by PDP Government is a classic example of the malaise of inconsistency and betrayal of conscience that has plagued this once revered journalist. The new low for Mr. Abati came when he went out of his way to start attacking critics of the Jonathan Government. Wow!! Reuben is now behaving like a dictator himself. Even Jonathan did not swing blows at his worst critics like that. His article about “yesterdays’ men and women” condemning Obasanjo, Ezekwesili and co. for trying to guide Jonathan was a complete no-brainer that robbed Reuben of any vestige of integrity and respect from his former fans. Even Guardian Newspaper where he served as an editor was forced to publish an editorial about “todays’ men” condemning his ideas and poor style in condemning critics of the Government. This is the first time I have seen a national newspaper openly denounce the unprofessional acts of its former editor in an editorial.
Many observers have said that one major failing of Jonathan was how he surrounded himself with people who never told him the truth. People who kept deceiving him. Is Mr. Abati counted amongst such people? Your guess is as good as mine. Despite knowing how the masses were suffering and yearning for better governance, My former journalistic idol, Mr. Abati found it better to pen articles which condemns the people trying to correct Jonathan. In his bid to outperform Doyin Okupe who gave himself the title of attack lion, He became an attack tiger. Gosh! He did lose it.
When the people of Nigeria sacked Mr. Abati’s bosses through the ballot box I thought he will go away and lay down low for a long time in luxuriant living. I assumed he must have been settled very handsomely for him to undergo such a reversal of journalistic character but that is not to be. I did not reckon that Reuben will be missing us - his former fans. Yes, his former fan base, former readers, former supporters. Yes, he did miss us which is evident in his write-up “the phones no longer ring”. The sad news is that Reuben abandoned us when we needed him most. When we needed fearless journalists who could have exposed more the bleeding of Nigeria by thieves and charlatans. He betrayed us for a stint in one of the most corrupt PDP governments. In effect, he abandoned us for PDP politicians.
Now that Nigerians has booted them out, he returns to woo us. He regales us with stories of how hard he worked for Jonathan and how people called him at midnight asking for money which he didn’t have. Even if he did not have money then, he can’t convince all of us that he did not “chop” even one dime in that Government because revelations from Adams Oshiomhole and the APC spokesman have shown that almost everyone around Jonathan was “chopping” mercilessly.
As for Paul Nwabiukwu, his phones are still ringing. Yes, the frequency may have reduced but they are still ringing. We know that Adams Oshiomhole and APC in addition to some discreet government investigators are calling. I still miss his articles but he is still engaged now answering phones for Madame.
As for Reuben, I will advise that he apologise for his inconsistency and follies while in Government and maybe…maybe some members of his former original fan base will forgive and accept him.
But despite all this, Mr. Abati still attracts my attention and I still read his articles even when I feel some queasiness in my stomach while reading same because it no longer commands the usual credibility and legitimacy. It’s unfortunate.
(Twitter: @chrisobiekwe)