The Guardian Editorial: The Jonathan-Modu Sheriff scandal Tuesday, 23 September 2014 00:00 Written by EDITOR Category: Editorial PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s widely publicised scandalous liaison with former Borno State governor and alleged Boko Haram financier, Ali Modu Sheriff, at an audience in Ndjamena with Chadian president Idriss Deby, is deserving of the public outrage and condemnation it has so far received. In spite of the government’s belated response exculpating the president of complicity, the controversial photo-op, which had Modu Sheriff in audience with Jonathan and his Chadian counterpart, is at one inappropriate and indecent. That the government remains reluctant to heed the calls of rights groups and other well-meaning Nigerians to investigate Modu Sheriff and Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.) over the allegations by the Australian hostage negotiator, Stephen Davis, that the duo are financiers of the murderous Boko Haram sect, is very worrisome. While Modu Sheriff has had a hurried press conference that touched on many issues other than his complicity in the sect, Ihejirika has sidetracked the allegation by trading blame with members of the opposition party. The duo of Modu Sheriff and Ihejirika, like other public officers, who may be so accused of serious offences against the state, have no business courting the press and engaging in pretentious image-cleansing, until they have been judiciously investigated and absolved of their alleged acts. Moreover, they should maintain dignified silence and respect the moratorium from public comment on sensitive government matters, which their positions as former public officials demand. It is unlikely that there is any country in the world, where such grave accusation bordering on national security and public peace has been levelled against former public officials so high, and no investigation is made. Irrespective of how Sheriff came to sit with President Jonathan in audience with his Chadian counterpart, that picture portrays either extreme naivety or callous disdain for public opinion. Either way, it is a bad sight to see. Worse still, it might convey a message of contempt for the principles of accountable leadership. Judging by the responses that have been thrown up in defence of the president, it may be that electoral desperation of the ruling elite may be responsible for the questionable association with Sheriff; for it may well be that President Jonathan sees in Sheriff a value in his presidential election bid. Whether this is the case or not, the president must not be seen to vacillate on matters that put his image and reputation in jeopardy. His crisis managers must have the gumption and the circumspection to sense damaging events that may portray this government in bad light, and act appropriately. As can be observed in the president’s crisis management protocol, there is a tardy and shoddy job being done in reputation management. As this newspaper has always admonished, Nigeria is greater than any group or political party; it is greater than any person and any position. Nigeria does not exist to be plundered and used by any person. The value of any political party or individual should be reckoned with on the basis of its potential to edify and enhance the well-being of the totality of the Nigerian people. This is why the allegation against Modu Sheriff and Ihejirika should not be waved aside. Both should be thoroughly investigated, and the report made public. Any other course of action will be simply unacceptable.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 01:00:42 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015