Within a few weeks of president Mohammed Buhari coming to office, there was a widespread belief that he was going to be “different” stemming from his acclaimed integrity, good character and moral uprightness which spanned across board. The ministerial list released by Buhari is another example of hope triumphing over experience.
In real scientific term, President Buhari’s era is a mere continuation of former President Jonathan’s inglorious anti-poor and incorrigibly corrupt government both in outlook and origin. At the beginning, given the circumstances through which Buhari emerged as president even the dullest writers and or mischievous political analysts/observers had no difficulty in concluding that Buhari presidency will be a bit different from the usual.
Several individuals has bemoaned the recently announced ministerial list sent by Buhari to the National Assembly as a retinue of old thieves and as a payback gift to some elements who worked relentlessly for his emergency as President.
With this individuals some of which are facing several corruption charges and related offences. The decision of using this identified individuals will make his government to be a continuation of mass misery and stupendous corruption which largely dominated the previous administration. Today, however, the masses are being made to believe that the president in fact is a messiah from the heaven but dwells among the crooks.
As a government with popular support and sympathy, Buhari has an undaunting task to make Nigeria a better place and act inline with his party slogan of bringing change to Nigerians. Several of the problems which Buhari needs men of impeccable characters and integrity to handle bothers on power, energy, infrastructure etc.
Just as The Pathfinder Movement Of Nigeria appreciates governments and military efforts towards fight against insecurity and insurgency, we implore Buhari to reconsider his ministerial list and bring in untarnished, clean, trustworthy, and dedicated Nigerians that would buoy his confidence and who can appropriately dispel their skills towards ameliorating the challenge of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, bad economy, among other challenges.
But its a choice Buhari has to make which will determine the future of his government.
This List clearly shows the limited and selective nature of the anti-corruption crusade of President Buhari and the influence of corrupt imperialist and multinationals on government at all levels. Nigerians expected that Buhari will appoint people that are of integrity and arrest some of the tainted individuals on his list.
To us in The Pathfinders’ Movement Of Nigeria, this is not a surprise since the All Progressive Congress (APC) and President Buhari relied on some known corrupt cabals to win and run society and cannot challenge this present exploitative and unfair arrangement in the system.
Hence, no meaningful fight against corruption can be achieved with this corrupt-ridden individuals nominated as minister. The government can feign commitment to anti-corruption fight by arresting and arraigning few corrupt public officials in court. In reality this is usually selective and with no seriousness of fighting corruption.
To us in The Pathfinders’ Movement Of Nigeria, we have always argued that corruption can only be holistically fought when society is run transparently and democratically by the working people and the poor with the aim of meeting the needs of all.
The working masses must begin the political struggle for a genuine change as against the APC change mantra by building a mass working people political party to transform the country along socialist lines. If genuine change is not achieved, not only that the interest of the working masses will be undermined, the anti-corruption battle will as usual remain a smokescreen and the country will remain on the brinks.
Long Live Federal Republic Of Nigeria,
Long Live The Patfinders’ Movement Of Nigeria.
Siged,
Alaba Olalekan
Secretary General.
