Ever since the N225M Aviation vehicles scandal involving the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah became public, it has attracted lots of commentaries, reactions, protests and debates across the length and breadth of the country.
Ever since the N225M Aviation vehicles scandal involving the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah became public, it has attracted lots of commentaries, reactions, protests and debates across the length and breadth of the country.
A regular follower of the Nigerian social media space will testify to the fact that it has been a trending topic for the past few weeks. One disturbing scenario that however caught my attention is the attempt by some elements to introduce ethnic sentiments into the whole issue.
In the view of these unpatriotic elements, the Minister was being ‘persecuted’ in other to ‘harass’ the Igbos while others believe it was an orchestrated plan to score political points against the President.
According to a report by a newspaper recently, Hundreds of Youths under the aegis of Igbo Progressive forum (IPF) took to the streets of Enugu to protest calls for the sacking of Oduah. According to their Leader, Emeka Agbo, they alleged that a cabal was behind the calls for her sack and vowed to go the whole hog to ensure that the cabal doesn’t succeed.
According to him, ‘’this is a woman that has given the aviation sector a new face since she came into office. Today, our airports can compete with airports in foreign countries.’’
Speaking further, he said ‘’before she came into office, we were hearing about international airport but today, it has become a reality in Igboland. We are ready to swim and sink with her’’. Also, Stella’s Kinsmen led by High Chief George Nwabueze also alleged that the calls for her sack were an attempt to rubbish the President ahead of the 2015 elections!
In another report, a group which called itself ‘Igbo Ekulie’ in a statement by its president and Secretary Joey Chuku and Okechukwu Okeke respectfully alleged that the public outcry against Oduah was a calculated attempt by some powerful individuals to marginalise the Igbo Nation in the scheme of governance and that it portends great danger for the political future of Ndi-Igbo and Nigeria in general. The group also posited that since past corruption cases involving notable public officials in the country were swept under the carpet, then Oduah’s case should not be different.
According to them, ‘’ we are sounding a note of warning to those behind this evil agenda and marginalisation of the Igbo Nation in the Nigerian Nation to desist forthwith and leave Princess Stella Oduah alone because if their plot succeeds, it makes political future of Ndi-igbo and the entire Nigeria very uncertain and precarious’’
When did Nigeria become such that we have completely lost our Values? When did corruption become something that we measure based on the region where such an individual comes from? Corruption is corruption anywhere irrespective of the gender, tribe, or political party involved and so should be treated as such.
It is even more shameful that youths who should be at the vanguard of the war against corruption are the ones being used to justify it. Corruption is the number one factor militating against the growth and development of Nigeria and so it is a scourge which we need to eliminate from the society and not to play around it.
The spin doctors of Ms Oduah have been blowing her perceived achievements of renovating our airports as reason why she should be allowed to stay in Office. This is an aberration of the highest proportion!. Planes are dropping from our skies and yet some fellows want us to believe that this is inconsequential as long as the lush green environments of our airports are maintained! What is the essence of renovating the airports when stoways, crashes have been pronounced during the tenure of such an individual? In any sane country, Minister Oduah would have resigned long ago but this is Nigeria where we sacrifice merit and competency on the altar of politics and primordial sentiments.
One thing that surprises me is the way we are quick to link corruption cases and trials of public office holders to be the handi-work of some perceived enemies. Corruption cases involving Public office holders like former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Former Governor Gbenga Daniel, former Governor Adamu Abdullahi and others have been whittled down because of political interests and it is likely that Oduah’s case might follow similar pattern if the Presidency does not mutter enough political will to prosecute Oduah and those involved in the ridiculous Armoured vehicles saga.
Just last week, Ghana’s Deputy Communications Minister, Ms Victoria Hannah was fired for allegedly saying on audio-tape that she would not quit politics until she had made $1m. When the allegations came up backed up with the audio-tape, there was no need to set up endless committees neither did we have some ethnic jingoist carrying placards that she should not be fired!. She was relieved of her appointment within 24 hours of the leakage of the audio tape. Common sense prevailed and everybody is going about their normal business. If a minister could be fired in neighbouring Ghana for even contemplating to make money in politics, not that she has stolen public funds, how much more our Dear Country where corruption and abuse of Office stares many public officials in the face.
Any attempt at linking Oduah’s case with the alleged ambition of President Jonathan in 2015 falls flat of reasoning and should be ignored by all well-meaning Nigerians. It is a link that is non-existent and as such should be disregarded by all lovers of democracy. This is purely a case of abuse of office and so, should be treated as such.
This should also serve as a wake up call for the Government to dust up all the files of corrupt public officials which will reassure the public that there are no sacred cows when it comes to corruption. Corruption is the number one factor militating against our development as a Nation and the earlier we start to address it irrespective of whose ox is gored, the better for us.
As the Nation awaits the National Assembly and anti corruption agencies to do the needful in this case, Nigerians are hopeful that reason and Justice will prevail over politics, ethnic and primordial sentiments.
ABIOLA SOLANKE, a public affairs analyst writes from ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, and can be reached on [email protected] or via mobile, 08135659157.
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The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters
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