That Tinubu Ambassadorial List And Other Matters -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

Leadership at whatever level is about influence, goal-setting and accomplishment of goals. The goals set are expected to conform to the SMART principles and align with the aspiration of the people, team, group, community as the case maybe. And hence it is expected that before goals are set, there must be stakeholders’ engagement for the right input from the people or their legal representatives. It is also, the duty of the group or team leader to identify those with the relevant skills and zeal to help drive the process in pursuant of the vision for the attainment of the set goals. Thus, the functions of a leader is centered on visioning, goal-setting, designing strategies for goal achievement as well as selecting the right people to achieve the goals. The leader is to identify, mobilize and motivate his team for this noble purpose. This means that a leader that is purpose-driven must surround himself with the right people that will help accomplish the goals and the aspirations of his people. A leader desirous of providing excellent service to his people must as a matter of necessity identify, select or appoint the right people for service. Merit, competence and service excellence should be his watchword.

Unfortunately, the current Nigerian leadership seems to have no respect for merit or capability in its appointment. The government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has elevated mediocrity and cronyism to the highest level. In the history of Nigerian politics and leadership, Tinubu appears to be the worst in terms of making appointments. His appointments are governed by factors other than merit, competence and equity. It is said and obviously so that Tinubu is more interested in loyalty and ethnic dominance than performance; the factors that have made his government totter aimlessly without any clear direction. While Tinubu complains about inheriting a battered economy, he constituted a jumbo cabinet of 48 ministers with countless number of personal aides. His cabinet is an assemblage of yes-men and political pettifoggers that has nothing to offer the nation other than empty promises and deception. It is believed that his appointment was to reward, compensate, settle and rehabilitate those that helped rig him to power. So, his appointments are actually a reward for political larceny rather than appointment to service to the nation. Undoubtedly, most of Tinubu’s appointments are corrupt and lopsided appointments that contradicts the principles of reality, equity and justice.

It is therefore not surprising to hear the hues and cries that have trailed the news of the names of those nominated for ambassadorial position. Of the 35 names listed 11 are from the Yoruba South-west, representing over 30% of the list. This level of skewness is worrisome given that he has maintained the same lopsided trend in all his appointment from the onset. Tinubu is obviously running a government of exclusion rather than government of national unity thereby creating clear fissures in our fault lines. Tinubu has shown unabashedly that he is impervious to the feelings of the people. Personal and primordial agenda are his primary concern, not that of the generality of the citizens.

Another look at the list of the nominees shows that his aim of appointing the people was to advance personal interest rather than that of the nation…Ambassadors are representative of the nation not just the government in power. They are expected to be noble citizens with proven integrity and patriotism; not given to crime or corrupt practices. It is not for the flippant, drug addicts or people of uncouth or questionable character.

The list has continue to generate controversy. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the list be withdrawn. The erstwhile presidential candidate of the Labor Party in the last election, Mr. Peter Obi, described the nominees this way: “some of the names being paraded to represent us as ambassadors globally are shocking. But with a leadership that has allowed mediocrity, corruption, and impunity to rise to the top, who else did you expect them to choose?” Many believed some of the names on the list should be in prison having been charged in the past with corruption.

In particular, Nigerians questioned the inclusion of the former Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who frittered billions of Naira and conducted the worst election in the history of Nigeria. Many are of the view that Mahmood Yakubu’s appointment was a reward for rigging him into power.

Again, Nigerians are outraged at the inclusion of people like Femi Fani-kayode and Reno Omokri who are seen as the chief propagandists of the government. These two individuals have been peddling rumors, making provocative statements, ethnic profiling; creating ethnic tension in the country. Their inclusion is an open endorsement of their activities by the president. How would these characters promoting division and tension in the land represent the country abroad?  It is indeed unfortunate!

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK