Monday, 20 May 2013
Jonathan Is Doing His Job By Okey Ndibe
Okey Ndibe
Columnist:
Okey Ndibe
Last week, the US government was so miffed by President Goodluck Jonathan’s pardon of several big-name Nigerian convicts – among them former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha – that its embassy in Nigeria issued a sharp rebuke. In a tweet, US diplomats in Abuja said they were “deeply disappointed” by Mr. Jonathan’s action. The tweet continued: “We see this as a setback in the fight against corruption.”
The reaction was a rather startling, if refreshing, breach of diplomatic convention. But its premise was also fundamentally misconceived.
Forget about “deep disappointment.” Nobody who has observed the Jonathan administration from the moment of its conception should even be disappointed, period. The government acted altogether in character in pardoning Mr. Alamieyeseigha. It can be said, in fact, that President Jonathan did the job he was “elected” to do – pure and simple.
For me, the truly baffling thing about the US tweet was the presupposition that Mr. Jonathan was ever engaged in a “fight against corruption.” Flowing from that profound misperception was the claim that the granting of official clemency to Mr. Alamieyeseigha represented “a setback” in that ostensible fight. The US government got it wrong – dead wrong.
Let’s be clear. Mr. Jonathan’s administration has never been in the business of fighting corruption. Yes, it often invokes the rhetoric of combating corruption. But truly fighting? No! Does Corruption dabble in the business of fighting Corruption? There’s no real moral or ethical difference between Mr. Alamieyeseigha and those who presumed to forgive him for pocketing millions of dollars of public funds. The two parties here, forgiver and forgiven, belong within the same conclave of iniquity. The Jonathan administration reeks of corruption. Since occupying the throne in Aso Rock, this particular government has accumulated a dossier of scandals – from questionable, smelly deals in the oil sector to the hiring of political operatives notorious for their stinky pasts.
The Nigerian president has been characterized in some quarters as confused and clueless. It’s an unfair – and patently false – charge. Mr. Jonathan is as clear-eyed about his mission as any of his predecessors. And one thing he understands clearly is that he was not put in Aso Rock to fight corruption. He was put in there to pretend that there’s a “fight.” That fight, he understands, can be waged only with speeches, whilst maintaining a conspicuous respect for the rights and privileges of Nigeria’s who’s who in the corruption industry.
Former Governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta must be regretting the day he fled to Dubai as Jonathan’s security agents hounded him in the creeks of the Niger Delta. Discovered in his Dubai hideout by the ever-alert Interpol, Mr. Ibori was extradited to the UK where he stood trial for money laundering and received a 13-year jail sentence. The British were able to strike the fear of the law in an Ibori who, in Nigeria, swaggered his way to acquittal on more than 100 counts of corruption and money laundering! In the UK where it’s harder to buy judges, Mr. Ibori ate the humble pie, pleading guilty to avert a more damaging trial.
Had he given thought to the matter, Mr. Ibori would have stayed back in Nigeria. Indeed, he should have handed himself to officers of Mr. Jonathan’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The worst prospect would have been his arraignment. He would then have been able to send a delegation of “elders” and “royal fathers” to go and see Mr. Jonathan on his behalf. The peace-building missionaries would have assured the president of ex-Governor Ibori’s “total loyalty” and implored him to regard the errant governor as his “political son.” That would have been the end of the matter! Or, not quite: Mr. Ibori might have landed a choice contract or two – or some juicy appointment, to use a favorite Nigerian adjective.
President Jonathan has a senior special adviser on ethics on his payroll. Yet, anybody who longs to take a measure of the president’s ethical funds has only to look at the shining star of Tony Anenih in the Jonathan firmament. In the last three months, the Presidency appointed Mr. Anenih to chair the board of the Nigerian Ports Authority and then elevated the selfsame Anenih to the post of chairman of the ruling party’s Board of Trustees.
That Mr. Jonathan saw fit to bestow the two posts on Mr. Anenih speaks volumes – about the two men. It says that Mr. Jonathan “knows” what he’s doing, and in particular that he knows how to prepare for and win the 2015 presidential (s)election. In Nigeria’s political circles, Mr. Anenih is called the “Leader” and “Mr. Fix-it.” Yet, the man was a woeful failure at his most prominent past assignment as Nigeria’s Works Minister. Under his watch, Nigerian roads remained dismal, even though N300 billion had been budgeted for his ministry.
Mr. Anenih’s accolades credit the man’s foxiness, especially his expertise in turning sure losers into certain winners (or vice versa). During the Obasanjo days, Mr. Anenih was the first to announce to the world that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock – before the PDP ran away with wangled landslides. Summoned to Mr. Jonathan’s side as the 2015 polls draw closer, Nigerians must now take seriously a recent warning from Kema Chikwe that Mr. Jonathan was already virtually re-(s)elected.
A friend of mine jokingly derided Mr. Anenih as “chairman of the PDP’s board of the tired.” But the matter is too serious to be consigned to a joke. At bottom, the Jonathan-Anenih coziness reveals something about the president’s vision of where Nigeria is – and where it should be headed. It is a terrifying vision and prospect. It’s also consistent with the president’s temperament, outlook and unimpressive record.
Not since former President Olusegun Obasanjo personally oversaw the petroleum industry has there been more apprehension about corruption – the absence of transparency – in the sector. Yet, Mr. Jonathan’s body language betrays a man at peace with monumental corruption. For sure, he has never contemplated acting to address the documentation of sleaze in the oil sector.
Mr. Jonathan has not disappointed me precisely because he has lived up – or down – to my expectations of his presidency. The forces that conspired to enthrone him were not looking for a sure-footed, determined and nimble crusader against corruption. They wanted a certified protector of the interests of the corrupt, in fact a veritable fertilizer of corruption. He has fit the billing and served the mission.
Former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu was quoted in the New York Times as deploring the pardon granted Mr. Alamieyeseigha. And then he said, “Corruption is our main problem in Nigeria. We don’t need this kind of negative signal. This is a tragedy.” Well, President Jonathan would disagree. For him, corruption is not Nigeria’s main problem: it is Nigeria’s main opportunity. And the clemency to the Alamieyeseighas, seen by Mr. Ribadu as a negative sign and tragedy, may well be Mr. Jonathan’s assurance to the “selectors” of Nigeria’s president that he is ever dead set against rocking the boat.
Memo to the US government: Mr. Jonathan is doing his job. A central requirement of that job is to NOT fight corruption.
Please follow me on twitter @ okeyndibe
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re: Diplomats Don't Use Tweeter...
Submitted by Wähala (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 22:44.
@ Deri; @ Elmango bushMeat; @ Nkolika et al :
I hope you're reading other news headlines as well. Guardian: "Sacrificing 160 miilion people for a scoundrel". It lamented the exclusion of Naija from a "Democracy Summit" for Africa. Vanguard editorial: "Beyond pardon: Something is seriously wrong at the highest decision-making levels of (Dr. Dumbo's) government". Instead of mouthing off at Prof. Ndibe from your gutter abode, why not check out the collateral damages generated by the Blockbuster Blunder:
a) Bill Gates cancels visit to Nigeria for Healthcare issues. Mdm. Hippo runs to Germany whenever she's sick while you fools buy your own oxygen at derelict Naija hospitals.
b) Pres. Obama snubs Naija, Cancels visit and threatens sanctions
c) EU scolds and reminds us of our Internationa obligations.
Drunkards, if Tweeter is not legitimate, how come Nigeria summoned the US Embassy for complaint over it? Imbeciles!
Did Clinton not pardon March Rich who stole more than alams?
Submitted by DERI (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 21:29.
In 1983, Marc Rich was indicted along with his partner, Pincus Green, and their companies on 65 counts of defrauding the I.R.S., mail fraud, tax evasion, racketeering, defrauding the Treasury and trading with the enemy. (The last of these was for an oil deal with Iran while it held American hostages.) On hearing that they were about to be prosecuted, they fled to Switzerland. For the next 17 years, Mr. Rich ducked extradition requests as well as attempts by federal marshals to arrest him in France, England, Finland and elsewhere. Though his companies pleaded guilty and paid $200 million in fines and other penalties, as well as racketeering charges Mr. Rich a fugitive came to be pardoned by President Clinton.
@DUE...COME UP WITH YOUR OWN RESEARCH -3
Submitted by Ogbunigwe (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 18:27.
now they say jonathan is synonymous with corruption. selective memory and convenient cherry-picking. for some people, appeasing the masses is not enough. this is not fucking rome and GEJ is no caesar. NO SCAPEGOATING AND NO SACRED COWS. ONLY WHEN THERE IS EQUITY SHALL WE EXCORIATE GEJ. I wonder who they will give to the masses next.
@DUE..YOU DO THE RESEARCH AND COME UP WITH YOURS-2
Submitted by Ogbunigwe (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 18:25.
that said, he has proven his GONADS and stated publicly he owes no apologies to anyone no matter how (un)popular the decision is. poor masses, they have been screwed for so long and very deeply, they just want anyone's head for recompense. to please the public, the POWERS THAT WAS chose someone from the smallest clan that will not put up a fight to appease the masses when there were behemoths who had perfected this craft and have, sprawled across the plant - refineries, $billion swiss bank accounts, palaces, castles, and expensive cars. Some of them have champagnes named after them and ready to buy properties in mars. what legitimate businesses are they involved in? where are all the nigerian sacred cows?
@DUE..YOU DO THE RESEARCH AND COME UP WITH YOURS-1
Submitted by Ogbunigwe (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 18:24.
Deri has made his point. if you want to oppose him, present your own facts. LAZY AND SLOW MIND!!! do the damn research yourself and dispute his point. GHWB even pardoned a known drug dealer, the bottom feeder of the despicable mightily frowned upon by the us citizenry. second, you show us where the article two of the us constitution precludes EMBEZZLEMENT as been a non-pardonable offense.
i implore you to do this….ok, let me help you!
The presidential power to pardon is granted under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution.
"The President ... shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment."
nowhere does it say EMBEZZLEMENT...so it is at the discretion of the president to show mercy on whom he may show mercy on especially if the IMPETUS IS TO RIGHT A PERCEIVED WRONG. it is within the powers of the presidency to carry out such mercy. ( MERCIFUL JONAH THE GREAT! MAY YOU RULE FOREVER...amen)
American Corrupt Pot Calling Nigerian Corrupt Kettle Black...
Submitted by KaparaK (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 14:55.
As if America doesn't have its own House of Corruption full to its eyeballs. Ndibe, what do you have to say about Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. using his Campaign fund left-over to buy Gucci wrist watches and Michael Jackson Hat, etc. Let America deal with the log in its eyes while Nigeria removes the trunk in its own. You don't hear Americans calling on Nigerians to come heed its own house of disorder. Nobody condones the pardon of the likes of Alams, who should be hanged for all I care, but invoking America to chide a Nigerian President is the heights of hypocrisy and some Nigerians' inferiority complex - I guess whenever America sneezes, Okey catches cold. Grow up, boy!
re: Deri, please be polished
Submitted by ogbunigwe (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 13:14.
@ anonymous: are you serious? where are you from? maybe an aboki nama...complaining about the word "animals" as offensive. i guess oil money has turned you into a polished gem. no more leprosy or stained teeth from chewing your gworro. but i bet you still bend down to take a piss. i have another word for you...go fuck your self, asshole. how do you like me now? maybe, if the rest of nigeria had a fraction of the money aboki namas have embezzled, we would be as polished as you...ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your comment then begs the
Submitted by Fairgame (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 07:23.
Your comment then begs the question: what kind of ' corruption fighting president was obasanjo that despite having seen the so called dossier on GEJ as the most corrupt governor still picked him to be Yara Adua's VP'? People please let us not be deceived ......the only thing that the two presidents Obj and GEJ have got right is putting a finance minister who is working to bring back fiscal discipline which many in government do not want. As for fighting corruption only one who does not live in a glass house can throw stones.
Dr Jonathan is not expected
Submitted by Onas Baba (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 04:49.
Dr Jonathan is not expected to fight corruption and anyone who truly expected him to fight corruption is only fooling himself. The real danger actually lies ahead in 2015. Jonathan will do anything to get re-elected.Right now the signs are ominous. Normally you would expect that with all the numerous scandals unfolding before our own very eyes,Jonathan would be easily defeated at the polls.However, this is Nigeria. Aside from the merger of INEC AND PDP,the opposition as presently constituted does not have the wherewithal to wrest power from PDP.
Patriots in the Nigerian Armed Forces need to take out the trash at Aso Rock and the various govt houses in the states.This stench is too much. I forgot to add that Alams is going to senate in 2015. Doyin Okupe will be rewarded with something bigger,possibly a seat in the senate.
@Deri
Submitted by Due (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 03:56.
You keep making stupid analogies to buttress your flawed and watered comments. Name any governor in the US who looted his or her state's treasury in Alame's magnitude that was pardoned by an American President. You and your foolish likes keep justifying all your thieving governors whose loots does not benefit most people from your region.
Outrageous!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 03:01.
Alams was the only governor
Submitted by DERI (not verified) on March 20, 2013 - 00:40.
Alams was the only governor who stood up to the antic of OBJ --None could look obj in the face-and tell him to bass off-Ibori and Alams were the only governors who came out into the open and told him to stop his third term agenda--both died for atiku--where is atiku today? Is he not moving from pillar to post instigating his fulani brothers against jonathan-the governors from the SS are fools-from odili, to dickson and Amaechi-if they had created a sound middle class-all wld have been well--when Alams raisedd the alarm about Odili arming youths in the SS-to destabilize the region what did obj do? Was it not obj who went to the UN and told them there that Odili was the richest Governor in Nigeria? Are they not using the same method to fool amaechi? Nigeria is a waste of time-I will rather the SS breaks away-instead of these regional rubbish about Alams
Okey tell 9jas d truth-how many governors were jailed by ribadu
Submitted by DERI (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 21:46.
9jas abroad will celebrate the day Okey and his brothers dance band are able to free themselves from the strings they attach to their regional agenda against the SS. Most especially GEJ-At least methinks they need prayers from the new Pope-such that would help unchain him to the point of making him spare a thought against the wicked activities of boko haram in d fulani North-writers all over the globe, pen articles to change society-not the likes of Okey whose only vision for 9ja, is how to get rid of Jonah and his wife from Aso rock-and like ever ready battery, prepared to perform traditional rites to appease the gods in his defunct region-on behalf of tinubu and buhari-Alams is supposed to be celebrated by all lovers of truth-he was illegally impeached-thrown into jail and lied upon that he used the head gear of a woman to smuggle himself into 9ja-from Nodon-was that not what ribadu told us chief Okey?
Rules in the diplomatic world
Submitted by DERI (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 21:15.
Rules in the diplomatic world are like the uniform the military and the police adorn their bodies with-they dont change-regardless of our colored thoughts-against ijaw man jonah-d message on tweeter was posted by ribadu-period! See laws are made to protect the human race cause we are no angels-if all of us were to be saints, there would never have been the need to add a clause in our constitution that Gej has the right to pardon crooks-who repent of their sins-The governor general of the Ijaw nation, Alams has been pardoned-he deserves it cause he was politically convicted by ribadu and OBJ-at least we were told that there were 33 rogues from the east, west and north-where are they chief Okey? Show us the faces of the barawos-or u bass off! Tinubu, orji kalu and Yerima-why are they not in jail? Why was Alams the only governor to be jailed by OBJ-yet u have d guts to challnege jona 4 pardoning him-Roosevelt pardoned over 3,000 murderers and rogues!
@ Deri
Submitted by Julius Abey (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 18:49.
Mr Deri, you are indeed stupid. Was alams the only Gov against 3rd Term agenda of OBJ ?...To read you is to have a sad laugh. Prof, u do well again jare!! God bless
@Deri, you are right! @Okey, @Nkolika GEJ is doing his ONLY job
Submitted by Elmango Meat (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 18:44.
@ DERI, "DIPLOMATS DONT USE TWEETER TO EXPRESS GOV VIEWS!"
Have you thought for a moment if it is because of the lowly level that GEJ's government has brought itself that has compelled USA government not to dirty itself with diplomatic finesse and language in dealing with a crude, impotent and corruption-laden Nigerian government? Not the people. You will in future witness more of the fallout, on a massive scale, this stupid act of GEJ condoning corruption?
@Okey, @Nkolika GEJ is not only doing his job, doing his ONLY job! He is called clueless. How can he be? What has he not done to entrench corruption? He is very much clued perhaps GLUED to corruption! All we hear is EFCC arraigning here, there and everywhere!
@Affey, "How many corrupt Nigerians have they helped us to jail"
What happened to Nigerian Judiciary and Police department? Some say USA is OVER-interfering you are saying they are not? Ask Britain to help again.
As usual
Submitted by chiechefulam Ikebuiro (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 15:09.
What's wrong is wrong.
Nice piece(again).
As Always a Masterpiece
Submitted by Obi E (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 14:51.
Okey Ndibe is increasing becoming the strongest voice of the oppressed. Ndibe fits finely into the big shoes left by Achebe and Soyinka.
Similarly, Sahara Reporters is today the biggest instrument of change for our thoroughly exploited country.
Okey, another Splendid Work! There is nothing more to add.
I had a conversation with a former EFCC Czar,. He asked who was the most corrupt governor during Obasanjo. I mentioned a few names, he said no. At the end, he simply supplied the answer, Jonathan Goodluck, based on his file.
We are in for a rough ride.
I love your courage Okey!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 14:31.
May God continue to protect you for the selfless and courageous effort you are making towards the salvation of Nigeria.
Victory will surely come our way someday.
Cheers
When it is convenient
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 14:09.
When it is convenient we compare our country to the US or Nigeria leaders to US leaders but we leave out the work that these US leaders do. One thing that people miss here is that American leaders love their country….not for the oil money or the political gains of office but the idea of what America is and what it can be. If we do not change our direction….you do not have to be a soothsayer, seer or prophet to know that there is no future for Nigeria. What message are you sending by pardoning these people you pardoned? That it is ok to steal once you are one of the Presidents men???
Jona The Great
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 14:06.
''Greatness Nigeriana.'' If these present state of things are not the true visions of the ruling class,then tell me what else are ?Let me borrow some grammer from Prof Okey ''The nation is really waltzing towards greatness.'' Surelly.
Deri, please be polished
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 13:08.
@ Deri, i usually don't read your post because you never make sense. I had only finished reading this comment before i realised it was you and it is really true to type. you are quite offensive using such words as animals to address people. i think you can be more polished in a public forum like this. having said that, i think you also misplace facts a lot - was it OBJ that made the met police arrest Alams in London having found 1m pounds in his house? was Alams the only person that opposed the 3rd term bid of OBJ. let it settle in your head that Alams goofed big time. what we need to move forward is not this your ethnic and religious arguments but objective reasoning and addressing facts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jonathan: A tragic hero!
Submitted by Ibrahim Modibbo (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 12:36.
Prof, you have spoken our minds. I think GEJ is tragic hero that allowed the level of governance in Nigeria to degenerate to a critical level where mediocrity and iniquity reigns. The value of the country dwindles as it buckles under the full weight of greedy, gluttonous and ravenous political class whose primitive fantasy is monumental looting of the people's treasury. Jonathan is celebrating corruption and I strongly feel that he should go a step further to democratize it, shikenan Mallam.
looooooool, "Nigeria's
Submitted by Taysay (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 12:30.
looooooool, "Nigeria's problem is ATTITUDE", now we can see the true definition of attitude.Our government has become so shameless that, the likes of Okupe are still looking for ways to explain this government's deep romance with corruption.
He did his job, period!
Submitted by Osondu Onoh (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 11:24.
I hold a concurring view as the author. I believe that Mr President has not disappointed anyone since he had no clear committment towards the fight against corruption. If he did, Ms Diezeani Madueke would,still, not be the almighty petroleum minister. I reiterate that Jonathan is not inept in his job. The role of protege to corruption has been sensibly assigned to him. Overall, his clemency to Alams is undoubtedly part of that administrative function which fosters the ideal of stiring Nigeria into a meaningless state where corruption and impunity reign.
However, like it or not,with Alameighseiya's pardon, he did his job.
ds nonsense
Submitted by TAIWO (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 10:54.
FOR ME,AMNESTY GIVEN TO NIGER DELTA MILITANTS WAS AN ENDORSEMENT OF CRIME BY NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT; AMNESTY CALL FOR BOKO HARAM IS AN ENDORSEMENT OF GENOCIDE! ALREADY PREPARED CONDOLENCE MESSAGES FROM D PRESIDENCY EVERY TIME BOKO HARAM STRIKES IS AN ENDORSEMENT OF CLUELESS, HELPLESS AND WEAK GOVERNMENT....A BLOW ON D ELECTORATE
we never had it so bad....
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 10:32.
we never had it so bad....
Jonathan Is Doing His Job
Submitted by u.S.o (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 09:34.
Jonathan Is Doing His Job
Nice article Okey, But it seems you are kinda economical here, why not analyze Okupe & Abati the media hatchet men? Are they not part of this Corruption?
Thanks!
Check: http://usaveone.blogspot.com
America has no point
Submitted by Affey (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 07:40.
How many corrupt Nigerians have they helped us to jail or how many of them have they had their houses confiscated? Jonathan is exercising his own prerogative the way America looks the other way. He is simply exercising his DEMOCRATIC right as the president!
The Chicken Has Come Home To Roost
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 19, 2013 - 06:55.
The creek crook keeps disgracing Nigeria with his Unpolished Grammar and nonsensical decisions.To him, governance is all about wearing resource control hats and junketing all over the globe.All thanks to OBJ for foisting "the best man for the job" on Nigerians.
