Dr. Ngozi, in her responses, frequently reminded viewers that she's not a
spokesperson for the government, but clearly at liberty to speak in its
defence. She made statements that raised eyebrows. She expressed her disgust
for the unprecedented media attention and the constant searchlight beamed on
the activities of the government she represents.
The spontaneous uproar for the release of nearly 300
Chibok girls that were abducted from their Secondary School has done a
lot of good. It has exposed the extent to which the Jonathan government
is failing in its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and
property of its citizens, given every other aspect of a good government
remains secondary.
We have seen how governments all over the world, especially those that
we look up to, display uncompromising integrity and pride in the defense
and security of their people. They pursue all political angles in order
to protect the life of every one of their citizens. All political
affiliations are secondary to the preservation of national pride and
honouring the contract between them and their electorate. The Israelis
are well known for that, and only recently, the US Government set
another example by securing the release of one Marine, Sgt. Bowe
Bergdahl. They released five (5) Taliban militants in exchange. Clearly,
this demonstrates the high position on which they place the respect and
love for their people. In Nigeria’s case is, this is a lot different.
We
maintain that democracy is about “we the people”. Yet, even as we are
bombarded daily with rhetoric on how well President Goodluck Jonathan
has surpassed his predecessors in office, our democracy is not really
about the people. However, the challenge before the Jonathanians is how
to confront the history books with their niggling and nauseating claims,
which are clearly countered by a plethora of empirical evidence to the
contrary.
President Goodluck Jonathan's administration may not
be the worst ever in the world but certainly, it is one that no
civilized “we the people” would put up with.
A couple of months
ago, precisely this past June, when Abuja hosted the World Economic
Forum (WEF), the international community lashed out at our "performing"
President over his seemingly unperturbed disposition and lackadaisical
attitude to the plight of the abducted girls and that of their parents.
The government and its handlers became the butt of all jokes in the
comity of nations.
To the President's kitchen cabinet, it's time for all hands to be on
deck not just to rescue the girls as one would thought but also to
rescue a government from its fall from grace in the eyes of the whole
world.
 |
| Dr. Ngozi Iweala |
Just like a wingless bird, the claims by the government's
spokespersons that the President is concerned about the tale of the
girls just could not fly. This was especially so in the face of
notorious evidence to the contrary. So many questions posed by hosts of
TV shows and programmes about the President's commitment and readiness
to combat the hydra-headed monster of insurgency, especially the one
waged by Boko Haram were either evaded or to the utter dismay of
millions of viewers and the presenters, are abrasively answered in an
unsatisfactory manner.
Barrage of attacks on the President and
his administration have poured in, left, right and center from within
and outside the country. Finally the occupants of the Abuja Aso Villa
are rattled. Like the proverbial toothless bulldog, the propaganda mill
has bowed to the pressure and lost its bite. Spokesmen for the
government have taken turns to feature in prepaid interview sessions,
whereupon they are saddled with the choice of either being the kings of
their own silence or the slaves of their own false words.
Amongst
the many interviews that have featured the "who's who of this
administration", is the one between Richard Quest and the Finance
Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the program "Best of Richard
Quest". In that memorable episode, even though it is in sharp contrast
to what is clearly demonstrated by the actions of the government as
proven by its many lies and misdirected anger at the people of Nigeria
for demanding action from an inept administration, Dr. Iweala stood
stoutly in defence of her Principal's effort and commitment to the
search for the abducted Chibok school girls. As the interview
progressed, so many things were revealed. Dr. Ngozi, in her responses,
frequently reminded viewers that she's not a spokesperson for the
government, but clearly at liberty to speak in its defence. She made
statements that raised eyebrows. She expressed her disgust for the
unprecedented media attention and the constant searchlight beamed on the
activities of the government she represents. She charged at Richard
Quest by stating that: “Long after the limelight and long after CNN has
ceased to cover the issue, we will continue to look for them".
And
prophetically so, over 80+ days now since the girls went missing, the
parents of those girls and the nation are still waiting and hoping for
their return. The assertion may have passed unchallenged by the host,
Richard, but not by Nigerians. This assertion is questionable and
telling. As each day passes by, and the whereabouts of the girls still
unknown, we all must wonder why the minister asserted that the search
will take so long. The CNN would forget. “So, Madam minister, now that
it is evident that you were right, when should we expect their return?”
All
sensible Nigerians are inclined to believing that this administration
is not as clueless as it seems, as such, we await the clues on the
whereabouts of our girls, and preferably, their return back home to
their loved ones.
In the meantime or long while, Madam Minister, please help us beg Mr. President to #BringBackOurGirls!
