For some days, Nigerians helplessly watched the Lawan Ahmad-led Senate clear the ministerial nominees sent to them by the President for routine screening, telling them to “take a bow and go” just because they were former senators without minding whether they (ex-senators) are familiar with the magnitude and urgency of our problems as a nation or possess the requisite knowledge that the ministerial positions demand to help the nation come out of its present predicament, an action that has characterised the process as a familiar music hall act.
Apart from this ‘‘doctrine’’ looking curiously old-fashioned, and lacking precise judgement, it neither squares up with global leadership best practices nor in harmony with moral laws.
The above position is supported by precedent.
The case of Hillary Clinton, a one-time senator and wife of the former President Bill Clinton, remains a particular evidence in the contrast between Nigeria and the United States. Before she was sworn in by the D.C. Court of Appeals, Associate Judge Kathryn Oberly, as the 67th US Secretary of State, she was not only grilled for hours by the Senate, despite being a former senator, but also had the likes of Senator Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, and Senator David Vitter, R-Louisiana, oppose her confirmation.
In our situation, possibly the most alarming factor that set the stage for this appalling situation is the Senate’s failure to use strategic insights in acceptance for screening a ministerial list that was silent about portfolios.
Regardless of what others may say, this Senate policy of “bow and go”, and ambiguity of portfolios indicate that Nigerians may be in much trouble than we actually realised. It also rings the apprehension that unless the Senate that is currently occupied in the doctrine comes to terms with the harm it is doing to the nation and reverses such with the urgency that it demands, the nation may be having a greater crisis on its hands.
Going by this line of reasoning, it will necessitate the posers as to; whether Nigerians should keep quiet and allow this to become a tradition in the Senate. What of the future? Will it be marked by similar types of the past period? And who should be the judge? Or must we as a nation allow the trend like good and evil go on together without allowing our nation to reap whatever fruit that comes in the nearest future?
Obviously, that urgently calls for improving performance in every sector – economy, education, youth development, energy and powers and others. And allowing the pleasure of ‘bow and go’ can only be an option if it is clear in which direction the nation is going. And the choice of that direction is important and must be determined by the quality of people in charge.
Most importantly, what the Senate under Lawan should be aware of is that the question is not what the ex-senators had done in the past as lawmakers. It is about Nigerians knowing beforehand what they intend to do when they become ministers, and whether it will be in the interest of Nigerians.
Nigerians need to have this information because we need good people to have good government. Particularly, now that the nation needs as ministers people who are sensitive, have insight and inquisitive minds who can help challenge the status quo. Currently, Nigerians need as ministers people with balanced perspectives; who cannot afford to be specialists who know only one thing but the integrative problem-solvers.
Not allowing these ministerial hopefuls tell the millions of Nigerians of their plans and programmes as well as what they are bringing to the table is an indication that the Senate as an arm of government has yet to recognise that we are all “soldiers in the development army and have the same ranks and tasks that exist in the traditional army”. And erroneously depicts its members (present and past) as all-knowing, more generous, more nationalistic, selfless, honest, kind, and intelligent or good looking than others. This cannot be the true position.
In my understanding, the President, governors, senators and others are in the front line of development and are entrusted only to the most crucial mission not that they are more important than other citizens in the quest to secure victories in the development wars.
Knowing the capacity of our ministers has become urgent and imperative as we are convinced of the need to change, but we must also determine our pace towards change and choose our priorities. If we are not convinced, the world will impose change on us and we will be left with no option. Worse still, if we do not choose our own pace of change, the world will dictate it for us.
The senators must learn some valuable lessons from the case of Hillary Clinton mentioned above. They must not stop learning in this direction as the situation keeps changing. The government must learn to adjust to new policies that will bring a people-purposed leadership in the country.
Jerome-Mario, Lagos,
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