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The fever on where Ribadu will spend the better part of 2008 has been on a high pitch. I have been disappointed by the quality of the debate. The real issues have been largely glossed over.
Soyinka, Falana and other hitherto well respected critics have disappointed in a big way. They did not address the facts at all. Why defend a man whose only claim is boldness. What happened to fairness and even-handedness on the job? Ribadu it was who indicted everyone under the sun without a fair trial. Using his position and office he impugned people’s characters and proceeded to draw up alleged offences as indictments. The courts saw through all these because the judges were ‘shining their eyes’. Who kidnapped legislators and drew up impeachable offences against governors for their signatures far away from the hallowed chambers?
Ribadu is a neophyte of sorts. A snare was set and he walked right into it. Having been installed by ex-President Obasanjo (OBJ) as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) into the position reserved for an Assistant Inspector General (AIG), the coast was clear for the mother of all succession plans. Ribadu played the perfect hit man.
Ribadu is not dense in any way. He manipulated the media into frenzy. The daily popular show was ‘Angels versus Devils’ He held the brush and everyone OBJ pointed to was appropriately tarred. Also, he was OBJ’s chief counsel in the corruption defence scheme.
When his professional boss was thinking aloud of training him further, he raced to the media to let them know his pay was from EFCC and not the Police coffers. But then, who trained him before the EFCC job. Which platform did he use to get there? The truth is that if the police provide your AIG pips, then the IG is king. In building an empire, Ribadu forgot he was a policeman. Unlike Tafa Balogun, IG Okiro struck first.
In spite of all the foregoing, I believe Ribadu put up a bold show. For the first time; the bigwigs were sent to jail. In principle, that is commendable but not sufficient to ensure sustainability of the war on corruption. I hope he has realised as many past leaders have, that, it is better to build institutions instead of persons and kingdoms.
If IBB can conceive a return after 15 years in the wilderness; why not Ribadu after 9 months in the class? In spite of his naiveté, my vote remains with Ribadu. He will rise again; but after learning the ropes. Meanwhile let us ensure the thieves do not get away with loot. Let us all shine our eyes. The war on corruption must not be lost because one Nigerian out of 143 million went to school to learn how to be more strategic in his job function.
Long Live Nigeria. I love you.
Deji Babaleye Idi Ape, Ibadan |