An Era of Insubordination
While the decision of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru to sidestep the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu and his board in the award of contracts lowers the bar on subordination
In the stormy and ever changing world of politics, President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of political issues has put the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the spot, leaving it as a party divided against itself, and now an easy prey for the opposition as the 2019 general elections beckon. As the government is buffeted by scandals at every turn, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party will have little to do to de-market APC as series of events happening lately are capable of sending wrong signals to discerning minds. Those who describe the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party divided against itself are very correct.
Series of episodes have played out recently and they are capable of sending very wrong signals to discerning minds.
The latest in such series is the ongoing face-off between the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Maikanti Baru.
Baru, in a reaction to the allegation by Kachikwu that the commission acted against the principles of due process in award of contracts, later clarified his position by stating that the laws of the commission, “do not require a review or discussion with the Minister of State or the NNPC Board on contractual matters.” Only a few people agreed with him. Others disgareed.
NNPC had said said: “From the outset the law and the rules do not require a review or discussion with the Minister of State or the NNPC Board on contractual matters. What is required is the processing and approval of contracts by the NNPC Tenders Board, the President in his executive capacity or as Minister of Petroleum, or the Federal Executive Council (FEC), as the case may be.”
Whether Baru is right or not in deciding not to carry the minister of state along will continue to be a debate among experts. However, recent attacks and allegations of corruption within the ranks of the ruling party will continue to arouse suspicion among the public. One day, it is likely to stand against the ruling party.
Many believe that what is playing out in the public is obviously a product of the internal wrangling within the ruling party. The Kachikwu-Baru’s feud is not the first of such open disagreements. It probably will not be the last.
One will easily recall the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole faced similar act of insurbodiation with the suspended Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf.
The health minister had suspended Yusuf to pave way for investigation into some corruption allegations against him, one of which was the procurement of a N58 million SUV without due process, but hardly had the suspension been announced that the House of Representatives asked the minister to reinstate Yusuf within a week.
Since the 54 years old Yusuf took over the state-run health insurance provider on July 29, 2016 there have been several allegations of fraud against his leadership. Then the question is, for a government that promises to fight corruption, why would an APC dominated House of Representatives not give room for proper investigation?
Apparently relying on his direct relationship with the president who hails from the same Katsina State with him, and some sections of the NHIS law, he, just as Baru, had claimed that only the man who appointed him on a renewable term of five years was capable of questioning his actions or conduct.
He said: “By virtue of the NHIS Act, particularly sections 4 and 8 thereof, my appointment and removal from office whether by way of suspension or otherwise is at the instance of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Though not indicted yet, the committee investigating Yusuf, has received more petitions against him. The presidency, the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, the National Assembly, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) , the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and several other government agencies are in possession of the petitions.
Not many will forget in a hurry when an assistant to the president openly stated that the acting president would not sign the 2017 budget a day after Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said he was ready to sign the budget. It took weeks of back and forth and a statement by Garba Shehu that the president had given his nod before the acting president could sign the appropriation bill into law.
Another act of insurbodination has been going on quietly between the Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, SAN and the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. But before then, the AGF had himself made a statement that appeared to disparage the office of the vice president. However, he quickly issued a statement backing down and accusing the media of mis-interpreting him.
Though both Malami and Magu have maintained that nothing was wrong between their offices, their position is however contradicted by realities.
At an event in Lagos on Monday, August 26, representating the AGF, Mr. Okoi ObonoObla accused the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) of not co-operating with the ministry in the prosecution of high profile cases.
He said 31 pending corruption cases might have been compromised, because the anti-graft agencies have refused to furnish the AGF’s office with the particulars of the cases.
Though EFCC’s Head of Legal and Prosecution, Gbolahan Latona, who represented Magu at the event quickly denied the allegation and argued that the commission was working with the AGF, not many agreed with them.
According to the National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odunakin, these actions, which he tagged “rebellion,” “have serious implications for the polity in the days ahead given the tenuous balance in the country and the specter of uncertainty given the unease in the power room since the Lion King left the “zoo” and the “cub” has been coordinating.”
Apart from the aspect of rebellion, there is another important indication that all is not well within the ruling party and also that corruption is still being perpetrated one way or the other.
For instance, like the case of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who raised allegations of massive fraud against the then leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, it would be out of place to come to a conclusion that Kachukwu didn’t know the implications of the whistle he blew in his letter to the president.
There is also the suspicion that rather than pacify aggrieved sections of the country by appointing them to fill vacant positions especially in some of the boards and councils that are yet to be constituted, only cronies are being appointed into these boards.
When allegations of corruption were raised against the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, he got what Nigerians described as ”official clearance” when issues relating to a $1.5 Dubai mansions allegedly owned by him were raised.
Despite outcries that Nigeria’s current Minister of the Interior, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau be investigated for the roles he played as Chief of Army Staff, the president kept mum.
After reluctantly setting up a probe of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Lawal Babachir and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke, the president has yet to act on the report submitted to him by the vice president.
So, when allegation of abuse of process was raised against Baru, he seemed to have enjoyed a pat on the back while the accuser had to shut his mouth. This is fast becoming a brand of the ruling party, to protect its members.
Making public the details of what truly transpired would be an advisable way of addressing the matter to prove that the leadership is not involved in any shady deal.
But where a government, which claims to be fighting corruption keeps silent over issues such as the Ikoyigate, Baru versus Kachikwu and others, public perception must come to mind, because very easily the people will come to a conclusion that the party is corrupt or encouraging impunity and insubordination.