Fairness is the most abused leadership concept, especially in regions where the judicial system is subjugated by totalitarian headship. Martin Luther King, Jr. was absolutely right, that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. But the current approach of President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria in cleansing his country of corruption makes a mockery of his designation, and indicates a lack of knowledge in managing moral philosophy in the public sector.
For instance, both President Buhari’s Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the opposition, The People’s Democratic Party ran their respective presidential elections with public funds, improperly diverted and converted them to campaign coffers. Former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, allegedly diverted and apportioned more than 2.2 billion dollars to politicians and campaign needs. Similarly, former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who headed President Buhari’s campaign fund-drive allegedly stole more than 70 billion Naira from his state to finance his Presidential race. Mr. Dasuki is currently facing trial, whereas Mr. Amaechi is rewarded with a ministerial position.
To make it worse, President Buhari in his dictatorial fashion had defied court’s order that granted bail to Mr. Dasuki, and strong-headedly ordered his re-arrest. In his own words, here is the reason; “If you see the atrocities these people committed against this country, we can’t allow them to jump bail.” For clarity, this is the President talking – not the prosecutor. In other words, besides making himself the overseer of Petroleum Resources Ministry, the Buhari has also become the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
At the moment, all judges report to him, and all court rulings or judgements are screened in Aso Rock before delivery.
Yet we must not forget that failure of elected officers to abide by the rule of law is the height of indiscipline and misconduct. So, how could President Buhari fight corruption by abusing the judicial arm – violating court orders, and terrorizing judges? How does crowding jailhouses with suspects whose rights of legal representation are suppressed create an effective ethical culture? How could an executive team consisting of the most corrupt politicians in the country influence decency in the public service system?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with fighting corruption in a country where dishonesty in the system is devastating, but hiding behind a so called “war against indiscipline” to profile individuals in the most tyrannical style is reprehensible. Nigeria is a country where every single public officer, including the President has a looting record. Singling out individuals or parties as scapegoats may not fix the structure, but may amorally implant a retaliatory culture in the governance system.
Pragmatically, overhauling massive ethical lapses in the public sector requires relevant legislations to discourage corrupt attitudes and gradually reform the system with effective moral culture. Administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government. Unfortunately, a suppression of the judicial arm in Nigeria leaves a hopelessly corrupt leadership structure.
Take for instance, the 2010 case of a Former United States representative, William Jefferson of Louisiana. Rep. Jefferson, infamous for having $90,000 in bribe money hidden in his freezer, is serving a 13-year prison sentence after being convicted on a slew of federal corruption charges. However, one of the most puzzling and intriguing aspect of the case is that Jefferson’s partner-in-crime, Atiku Abubakar, the vice president of Nigeria at the time was not prosecuted by his country. Abubakar remained a hero in Nigeria, still treading on public funds and running elections to become his country’s president.
In the United States, The anti-corruption legacy is embedded in the constitution and enforced appropriately. Various provisions in the Constitution deal squarely with corruption, thereby limiting the opportunities for self-enrichment, and permitting impeachment of any officer of the United States, including the President and Vice President, for “Treason, Bribery, or other high crimes and Misdemeanors.”
I would say again, that my criticisms of Buhari’s fight against corruption is not an attack on implanting moral decency in the system, but a condemnation of tyranny, discriminatory justice, and suppression of the judicial process. What we have evidenced so far is an angry leader, who in shear execution of his animosity, is clamping down on the opposition under the disguise of wiping corruption in the system. In a true democratic setting, chasing public fund lotters with horsewhips and dictating orders to throw individuals in jail, or denying them bail are definitely not the responsibility of this president. Therefore, we must condemn President Buhari’s prevalent approach to ethical management as a primeval jungle justice; a totalitarian show of senselessness and cruelty.
■ Dr. Anthony Ogbo, is the President of American Journal of Transformational Leadership. Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us
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