Several questions readily present themselves in the lingering imbroglio surrounding Aviation Minister Stella Oduah. However, perhaps none is more relevant than this simple but pertinent question: who is really after her and why? It is important to raise this question from the outset for the single reason that the sustained campaign of calumny against Oduah has raised the spectre of a carefully-orchestrated and well-funded conspiracy designed to bring down the Anambra-born Amazon. In other words, the relentless publicity given to the issue of the armoured BMW cars is clear evidence that some powerful and angry person or persons are after Oduah.
Well-known for her role in the Neighbour-to-Neighbour volunteer and mass mobilisation group that helped propel President Goodluck Jonathan to victory in the 2011 presidential election, Oduah had understandably stepped on many toes in the process. Even in the aviation sector, which she supervises as minister, she has initiated reforms that had left entrenched interests bare. The truth is that before now, she had garnered a record of personal excellence in the Nigerian oil industry. Thus, as is the norm in all democracies, Oduah’s sterling performance in helping to drive the enlightenment campaign that got President Jonathan elected earned her the appointment she currently holds as minister in his administration.
Without breaking her stride, Oduah immediately went to work. For the avoidance of doubt, what is evident for everyone in the country to see is that Stella Oduah is the hardest-working, most result-oriented and achievement recording Aviation minister Nigeria has ever had. She has refurbished, remodelled and upgraded several airports and air terminals in the country in order to bring them up to modern international standard.
It is not unlikely that in pursuing such a lofty goal Oduah might have stepped on some powerful toes since Nigeria, unfortunately, is a country where many celebrate mediocrity and shun excellence. Indeed, it has been suggested that some disgruntled elements in the Aviation Ministry, or some of its agencies, who are no longer able to coast along without putting in much effort to justify their salaries may be behind the minister’s problems; talk of the evil called officialdom and the civil service system that drives it.
There are also suggestions that those who felt her star was rising too high in the political firmament may have been out to cut her down as they feared that in a short while she might be too well-known as a pursuer of excellence for them to stop her from seeking any elective post to which she might aspire. There is also the reality that as someone who is known to be a close political associate of President Jonathan, his opponents may have been looking to ruffle feathers in his camp well ahead of the 2015 presidential elections.
Moreover, the unrelenting battle being waged against the Aviation minister by a section of the press known to be sympathetic to elements of the opposition lend credence to the possibilities that Oduah’s problems are far from legal but may be purely political. Additionally, one cannot discount the reported outcry by some Nigerians that Stella Oduah’s problems stem directly from her ethnicity. Emeka Agbo, a young Igbo leader of a group of youths in support of the minister, is reported as saying some well-placed individuals from other ethnic groups are simply out to sully the name and achievements of Oduah for their own clannish interests.
The truth, as it is well-known, can only be hidden for a season and will eventually be revealed to all in due course. However, what cannot be denied at this time is that the ongoing shenanigans directed at the soft-spoken Oduah are distractions that are now hampering the minister from pursuing her demonstrated goal of modernising the Nigerian aviation sector. It is also regrettable that rather than allow the rule of law which Nigerians love to sing about at every opportunity to take its course, Stella Oduah has been tried and crucified in the court of public opinion. This is most unfortunate as it may have the adverse effect of causing capable individuals to shy away from the field of national politics for fear of the mud that may be thrown at them.
While the quest for a just and corruption-free Nigeria is the desire of all well-meaning Nigerians, it should be noted that individuals should not be subjected to barrages of unproven allegations. The laws of Nigeria are very clear that a person is deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As far as this writer knows, no court of law has found Oduah guilty of any offence. The House of Representatives committee, (whose members, unlike Caeser’s wife, are not above board) that investigated the purchase of the BMW has recommended has submitted its report with a ludicrous recommendation making it look as if Oduah has committed the most heinous crime ever in public administration in Nigeria.
Lest one be accused of defending the indefensible, it is pertinent here to challenge those who insist that Oduah, in her capacity as Aviation Minister, coerced the Management of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to purchase the problematic two BMW bulletproof cars at a cost of N255million for her to produce written evidence of where she made such a demand. Failure to do so would clearly show that those making such accusations are working in tandem with the detractors of the minister all in a dishonourable effort to tarnish her image.
The fallout of this carefully-choreographed case of political harassment is that Nigeria is now facing a crisis of credibility in its battle against corruption. On the one hand is the clear violation of the time-honoured judicial principle of proving an accused person’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The House Committee and even the Senate Committee and by extension the National Assembly cannot constitute themselves into a trial court on the Oduah matter, not even any administrative panel can. And on the other hand is the troubling scenario of allowing unscrupulous but moneyed persons to use their connections in the media to blemish the reputations of hard-working Nigerians like Stella Oduah. This is a sad development and should not be allowed to stand.
Written By Kayode Ojo
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