Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Greece and the country’s representative in Pakistan, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, has said that to successfully fight corruption, there was the need for the APC-led Federal Government to deal with the past fairly and firmly, using the principles of the rule of law.
He also said that President Muhammadu Buhari has limited time to bring the needed change in Nigeria.
He said that though Nigerians are patient with the president because of the goodwill and respect he commands, they can also get agitated if their expectations are not met at a given period of time. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has the Change mantra as its watchword.
“The task is more urgent because there is only but a limited time before impatience on the part of the public blends with resistance from vested interests and dilutes the national consciousness for change.
“Fortunately, goodwill for the person of President Buhari is considerable, and people are willing to give him time to reset the country.’’
The running mate to the late MKO Abiola during the infamous June 12, 1993 presidential election also said the Federal Government must make its policies clear, adding that Nigerians cannot afford to be kept in the dark in this computer age. He further advised Mr. President to be prepared for resistance from some quarters, especially those who would be affected by his policies for change.
“Looking ahead, to sustain change and overcome resistance, government must communicate very clearly – to Nigerians and the world at large – their core principles, strategies, policies, plans and programmes for change. We live today in a world of the 24-hour news cycle: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and all the other real communication tools of the internet age. No leader or government can afford to lag behind their detractors in the competition for public support,’’ Kingibe said.
The seasoned diplomat also said there could not be any meaningful change without an aggressive reform in the public service, adding that government has a duty to instill positive change in the attitude of public servants.
He said, “For the change we seek to be more than a mere slogan, it must also temper official attitudes in the public service. It is necessary to reform all arms of government and their institutions.
“The simple truth is that despite the leadership and vision of the president, and regardless of the merits and commitment of every member of his team, without change in the attitude of the public service, good intentions will not produce change.’’