Onigbinde Perfectly Understands Table Manners; Let Him Be By Chima Osuji

Mr Oluseun Onigbinde’s recent resignation as Technical Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning shortly after his appointment, has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. While the decision was applauded as an act of honour in some quarters, it was however received with indignation by others (especially the political elite and his colleagues in the media space) who believe the decision was unpatriotic, cowardly and unfortunate.

However, Mr. Onigbinde should be commended for making such a bold decision. He appears to have a perfect understanding of the murky waters of Nigerian politics and the double standards of Nigerian politicians. The brand of politics we practise in Nigeria has a strong tendency to corrupt good manners and make a demon out of just men. For this reason, his resignation is a welcome development. As a matter of fact, he would have lost his voice as a critic – a constructive one at that – had he decided to carry on with the new job because he who pays the Piper dictates the tune.

Examples abound of those who have traded their conscience, compromised their integrity (which never existed anyway) and betrayed the trust of the masses in exchange for pieces of the national cake. They have cleverly perfected this deceitful act by hiding their callousness under the guise of patriotism and service to the motherland. The Nigerian society has witnessed unfortunate episodes of so-called crusaders, activists and prosecutors who made a u-turn on the struggle after a tea party and subsequent romance with the government. Only a handful of stalwarts have stuck to their guns to be faithful to the struggle and resisted systematic overtures calculated to woo and corrupt.

If the foregoing assertion is implausible, how then do you reconcile the zest exhibited by a radical human rights activist cum anti graft crusader with his eventual appointment as Minister of State of the Niger Delta? The most bizarre aspect of the scenario is the fact that his current boss at the federal level (Godswill Akpabio) was a subject of his prosecutorial exploits. Now, they must sheath their swords and work together in service to motherland abi? God punish devil!

One of the things I find very intriguing about Nigerian politics is the double standards exhibited by politicians on public criticism. It is a body language of disapproval while speaking with their mouths in their cheeks on freedom of speech. Nigerians haven’t forgotten the melodrama that took place when Festus Adedayo was appointed media aide to the President of the Senate. The flames of Hades were unleashed on Alhaji Ahmed Lawan by members and apologists of the All Progressives Congress against his appointment. The President of the Senate had to bow to pressure from within and outside the ruling party by rescinding the appointment of the “Flickers” columnist within two days of his appointment.

Regardless of the reason adduced by the number three citizen, it was clear the revocation was hinged on Mr. Festus’ persistent criticism of Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress. Apparently, Mr. Lawan’s gesture didn’t go down well with the APC family especially apologists of Buharism. To them, it was unthinkable to allow a perceived threat and serial critic of Sai Baba to have access to the corridors of power. Mbanu!

And now, attention is on another fine pundit who appears to be consistent in his cause. If I may ask, is Onigbinde the lesser evil between him and Festus? Or is the BudgIT co-founder more expertly and relevant than Dr. Festus to APC stalwarts? It therefore beats one’s imagination to see a chieftain of the ruling party appoint another strong critic of Muhammadu Buhari after the whole shenanigans that transpired during the Festus saga.

On the flip side of things, a critical mind would ask why Onigbinde accepted the offer in the first place? In the case of Mr Festus, he was still considering whether to accept or decline his appointment before it was revoked by the President of the Senate. Conversely, Onigbinde was reported to have obliged the honourable minister of Budget and National Planning before tendering his resignation shortly after. The question again is, what was he thinking? Spectators didn’t see the resoluteness displayed like that of the late Chinua Achebe in his refusal to accept national honours for his groundbreaking exploits in the global literary society. His yes was yes, and his no, NO!

It is important for the political elites to appreciate the role of critics in nation building. It helps in deepening democracy. QThe fact remains that being a professional critic does not always translate to success in office as a political appointee. In fact, just as doctors are the worst patients, critics on the other hand, almost always perform woefully in public service for want of knowledge and experience of the political dynamics or political will. It takes more than just expertise to succeed in the Nigerian political landscape. You need stamina and unshakeable loyalty to the powers that be in order to achieve much. As a result, lofty ideas and good intentions have been run aground, incarcerated or aborted due largely to systemic corruption and incompetence.

Believe it or not, politics remains the soul and spirit of government. It is expressed generally by primordial sentiments and clannishness in most parts of Africa. Worse still, the murkiness of its practitioners (politicians) makes it even more difficult for honest people to remain steadfast on the path of truth as political appointees. It could be recalled the infamous statement attributed to Olusegun Obasanjo who pompously stated that the role of his advisors is to give advice, his is to accept or decline. Is this the type of political web pro-government forces want Onigbinde to be entangled in? If you’re still in doubt, consult Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria’s erstwhile finance minister. She knows better.

The Nigerian state is blessed with abundant talents both at home and abroad. We have a huge pool of seasoned experts in all fields of life who are not involved in the business of criticism. You need not be a critic to be qualified to serve your country in a political capacity. Criticism is part and parcel of the governance process. In fact, a society without critics is unimaginable; it is an invitation to dictatorship and tyranny, and a recipe for revolution. However, if you criticise and go on to accept political appointment, you must observe table manners. Onigbinde perfectly understands the system, we must respect his decision.

Chima Osuji is a freelance writer, former President of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ilorin Chapter, and aspirant to the Nigerian Bar.