The recent visit by the National Peace Committee (NPC) led by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar to President Muhammadu Buhari has been mischievously interpreted by some media analysts and observers as an attempt by former President Goodluck Jonathan to mobilize support against the current attempt to probe members of his administration, and to seek protection for himself from being tried if found culpable of any official misdeed.
The fact that the Committee had earlier visited Dr. Jonathan fueled such misinterpretations. Apparently, the pro- APC media analysts are still in a campaign mood, and any effort by President Jonathan, or anybody not perceived to belong to their political school, to make constructive suggestions, based on experience and Nigeria’s history, is attacked without considering their merit. There seems to be a growing culture of intolerance of opposing views, and this is not good for our democracy.
It is unfortunate that distinguished members of the Peace Committee are publicly being derided, even by informed members of All Progressives Congress (APC) irrespective of their role in facilitating the recent peaceful transition, and the emergence of Buhari as Nigeria’s president. These Nigerian leaders deserve respect, not insults
Indeed, despite the statements made by Bishop Matthew Kukah that the former President never sought the intervention of the Committee to stop the probe of his administration, the media have thrown caution into the wind and recklessly called reputable members of the Committee unbefitting names.
It seems that in the midst of the current cacophony of celebrating APC’s victory and installation of President Buhari, APC leaders are unreasonable, and are yet to understand that they are the ruling Party who needs everybody’s support. Certainly, they should not deliberately embark on any attempt to alienate any group or individuals especially those who had worked hard to earn their reputation. These are patriots who will not fail to provide alternative views in the management of our great country. This is dangerous, and a dis-incentive to patriotic leaders to make selfless contribution to the policy process. President Muhammadu Buhari needs this even more at this point, especially against the background of our history as a nation. He should note that the people who are currently gearing him to act irrespective of the law and our African culture, are the same people that may soon begin to condemn him. President Buhari had been Head of State before, and should not allow anyone in his employment to disrespect our leaders.Policy formulation and implementation process requires sober reflection and an inclusiveness in any democratic environment.
In any case, it is within the constitutional right of every Nigerian to make contribution to the process. Nigerians should not be intimidated from making contributions to the development of their country. The country belongs to all of us, and not a political party.
The conspiracy of silence from the Presidency as to the exact mission of that Committee is worrisome. Some keen observers are already insinuating that some elements in the Presidency may have deliberately misinformed the media as to the exact content of the discussion between the members of the Committee and President Buhari. This insinuation may have been encouraged because nobody in the Presidency has come out to provide official information on the meeting.
To be sure, the former president never at any point in his meeting with the Committee solicited for any protection for himself or members of his administration. He shares President Buhari’s enthusiasm for anti-graft activities. He, however, differs on approach. He does not believe in media hype as part of such an approach. More often, media hype around individuals accused of corruption tend to convict such people before the court of public opinion even when the person is ultimately exonerated of any misdeeds by courts of competent authority. This is against the spirit of our Constitution, and certainly not the reason for our sacrifice to ensure that democratic governance was made possible.
Former President Jonathan is a firm believer that state’s institutions should be allowed to function without individual showmanship and unnecessary interference. He stated this much during his meeting with the members of the Peace Committee. He told the Committee that he should not be spared if found culpable by any probe, after all, he had made an unprecedented sacrifice by conceding the 2015 Presidential Election to President Buhari. Indeed, despite insinuations to the contrary, he ensured peaceful transition from a governing party to an opposition party. What more can one expect from a patriot, and unarguably the hero of Nigeria’s democracy?
It is, therefore, uncharitable to interpret the engagement between President Jonathan, and the subsequent meeting of the Peace Committee with the President, as an attempt to plead for people who are found to be corrupt in any form during their times as public office holders.The effect of the continuous media engagement on superficialities of trials of corrupt public officials has thrown Nigerians into another round of debate once again on the appropriateness of making the person of the President as the focal point of governance. The era of charismatic leaders should be over by now. Our Constitution has ensured that this is so through the creation of State institutions.
Nigerians are watching the game play with apprehension and as the ultimate decider of our democratic journey. Those in positions today should note that Nigerians will one day demand for results of these efforts. The onus lies with the elected leadership of the APC led federal government to do what is right to all.