EDITORIAL: CORRUPTION AND LIJADU’S CONUNDRUM OF SILENCE
The news of the suspension of the president of our dear association is no longer new. Although it had come too late compared to how many halls, departments and faculties head had suffered similar fate last month. It however, was not anticipated by many that our gentle faced President would be caught in the crucible of corruption. While we should not think that his is the first in the situation of recklessness in this association, it must be registered that AFASites deserve better from those they give their mandates.
For whatever oblivious reasons, we must appreciate the kindness of some of our honourable members who decided to speak out and ease the demands placed on the Investigative committee to ensure accountable performances of public office holders. Reverse has been the case in certain situations where members of the legislative council keep mum as long as their self-interest is served.
So far, the suspension has thrown its weight into two sides; those who think his suspension is based on mere allegations and those who have sought answers which verify the allegations. Irrespective of the dividing unity of concern, it still remains curious that the president has decided to keep quiet. His silence, for many who have been endeared by the demeanor of an easy going Isaac Lijadu, is a disesteem to the mandates they had given him. On the other hand, his silence, for others who are always quick to invoke the commandments of Moses, implies being guilty as charged. For us, his silence is embarrassing. Yet, it cannot be counted as absolute acceptance of the allegations. We can only hope that the President would utilize the one week he had received to clear the air to indeed do so.
Meanwhile, this is a great lesson to the leaders who think any financial insensibilities perpetrated can be shrouded forever. Whether sooner or later, the truth triumphs and even if the perpetrators had graduated, posterity does not forget to remind us that the evil of every man haunts him.
As we prepare to have another election, the allegations that led to the suspension of the President should be seen by those aspiring for one position or the other that leadership is selflessness and not self-gratification. It also teaches that power and position come with lures that require discipline. More importantly, leadership is about service for the good of all and not what fills the pocket.
To the legislative council, we plead that the standing allegations be looked into more objectively and diligently. Leadership is now battered by corrupt practices which must be rooted out as soon as they are found. Yet, we must not forget to take desperate but cautious steps in dealing with this parasite of corruption. The suspended President must be given enough room to address the truth and the lies in the allegations. All biases and self-interest must be laid to rest while the house sits as the judge. We must not in the process, murder fairness and justice.
Without doubt, the yet to be refuted cases against the President has triggered the resignation of many AFASites as to irredeemable nature of politicians at all levels. Perhaps, he has, privately. We must not because of this give in to myopic reasoning as result of voting for someone who seems not to cherish our mandates. As long as there are checks, our hopes have to be rekindled daily that we will eventually have leaders with preference for only that which is morally right and just.
In addition, we must continually free ourselves from voting based on friendship or blind conveniences. It is high time we raised the bar and set the right standard for those who intend to occupy the AFAS office. We can no longer stomach the many clueless leaders who come with sauced manifestoes only to become docile as soon as they assume office. Enough of politicians whose interest is emptying the left-overs as soon they come to the end of their administrations. We must triumph over leaders who disregard the providence which our right to vote offers them. We must critically deal with the challenge which our electoral choices have so far posed.
We may not be able to rewrite the present but there are a lot we can do to reshape what lies ahead. The power to decide, irrespective of what anyone says, is with the electorate. The best any organization like ours can do is to present everyone with critical observation; the choice, dear AFASites, is yours eventually. Do not vote on the myopic ground of friendship, do not vote on the valueless premise of exciting gentleness, do not just vote because of superficial appearances; be curious about their ideologies, engage them meaningfully when they come pleading for your endorsement. The electoral committee can only do its best. The rest, dear readers, is in our hands.
It is our hope that Mr. President would be able to clear his name and save history of unnecessary record. For all the cluelessness and under-performance of his administration, it will be more pathetic to end it so ingloriously. Do not lose the remaining tiny thread of your charred goodwill to silence. Even if the allegations cannot be rebutted, speak up! At the end, the best you can do, is to resign worthily. Although resigning is not an average Nigerian public officer’s choice but do not, even after being redeemed, think that you have not failed us. Have you not!?
To the legislative council, we hope that the constitutional stand would be taken should he be found guilty as charged. There is no point in having an investigative committee if, for all the allegations, the already suspended President does not receive the appropriate punishment for his action. In this political period when the youths are invoking the not-too-young-to run bill, we cannot afford to shield Lijadu Isaac from the consequences of his action.
PUB 8/ 05 November, 2018
