Dear Council on Foreign Relations

By Sonala Olumhense*

Today, you host one of Nigeria’s best-known women. Farida Waziri heads my country’s Economic and Financial CrimesCommission (EFCC). I am happy she is in the United States this week, and that you have been so generous with your time, having hosted her in Washington earlier in the week.

I take it you have not invited her to admire her great collection of jewelry. Since you discussed corruption in Nigeria with her on Monday, and are scheduled to do the same today, it seems to me you are investing valuable time on this subject. Now what?

If this is just a talk show, you compound the situation in Nigeria, and give United States foreign policy in Africa a severe black eye at the same time. Waziri is no corruption fighter; in one and a half years in office, as you will see when you examine her website (www.efccnigeria.org), her triumph has principally been in putting away clerks and housewives. Corruption where it hurts is not only alive in Nigeria, it is protected.

My point, therefore, is that if what you are doing is not a game, but truly to help in the search for answers, your tried and tested method of meeting policymakers in a roundtable is a dead end in an issue such as corruption and good governance in Nigeria.

Last Monday, for instance, she said to you in Washington that she and President Umaru Yar’Adua have “zero tolerance for corruption.”

Everyone at CFR knows that to be arrant, sloganeering nonsense. Yet nobody challenged that assertion. There, then, is where your format may be no more than an outdated political tool. In one and a half years in office, Mrs. Waziri has done not one thing that would make anyone in Nigeria—including her own staff—place her level of discomfort with graft in high places at more than 10 per cent.

Here is one example. When she arrived last year, one of her first orders of business was to disperse the EFCC’s core professional staff. It was therefore hilarious last Monday when she told your carefully-assembled coffee group that when she assumed office, she met no structure, no accountability, no professionalism, and no integrity.

Hopefully, you know better. The EFCC certainly had some problems when she arrived, but she has created far more, through manipulation and incompetence, during her tenure. 

The truth is in your own files. When you hosted our Foreign Minister, Ojo Maduekwe in December last year, he confirmed that many of the agency’s highly-trained investigators, some of them trained here in the United States by the FBI and in the United Kingdom, had been eliminated by Waziri. Maduekwe even said that the fallout was “becoming a major foreign policy issue.”

As a Nigerian, I will admit that we do not often do well in these situations. Rather than address the sticky issue, Mr. Maduekwe nonchalantly called on the United States to “train more people (for the EFCC).”

He said blithely, “Now she has sent them away. Why don't we make progress, Ambassador? Let's not get stuck and maybe she'll -- the chairperson of EFCC sending those FBI (outfront ?) -- let's not make it an issue because if we make it an issue, the two partners, United States and Nigeria, that are agreed on the need to improve the situational capacity and fighting corruption, we'll all lose in that sense, you know. You have the capacity, are rich enough to train more people…”

Mr. Maduekwe did not have the courage to tell you how some of those people were hounded out of the EFCC for no better reason than that they were thought to be loyal to her predecessor. One of them, who is known to have tenaciously investigated some of the most corrupt governors, was almost killed. First, he was first posted to a ridiculous job, and then suspended from the police. 

Little wonder then—if Hillary Clinton’s recent comments in Abuja are anything to go by—that the US is in no hurry to process disposable high-level personnel for Nigeria. 

But where does this leave the people of Nigeria? In a quandary, that’s where: not only does our anti-corruption agency play games in the so-called battle against corruption, its head is being treated like a celebrity by otherwise respectable American groups. 

I do not write this simply to put Waziri down. She took over from Nuhu Ribadu, who I supported relentlessly as a newspaper columnist when he first assumed office. 

But if the EFCC under Ribadu became a tool for hounding opponents of Olusegun Obasanjo, under Waziri, it has become a tool for protecting Yar’Adua’s friends. They have the keys to the best champagne in Aso Rock, our “White House.” In a newspaper interview in Nigeria last April, Yar’Adua said those contemptible indicted governors were his “friends.”

That is why it is an insult that, on this side of the Atlantic, you offer Waziri opportunities to paint herself and President Yar’Adua in the colors of an anti-corruption fighter. None of them can make the claim in Nigeria. With the “right” people, they have no objection to corruption.

Still, I do not agree that you should cancel today’s scheduled event. In the future, however, I suggest you alter the structure of the discussions to permit some input from Nigerians outside the government. Otherwise, even in your own game, you would really be going in circles.

For us, Waziri can offer you all the slogans and clichés she wants this week because she knows you will buy them all. It is your dollar. Enjoy.

• sonala.olumhense@gmail.com

Robot  # 1 | 23.10.2009 01:25

...Read the full article.

udokaamah  # 2 | 23.10.2009 04:48

Sonala, Stop preaching to the choir. CFR is a veritable institution established in 1921, prior to Nigeria's nationhood. Its democratic values are deeply entrenched. In the last 2 years alone, CFR has published papers on the Niger Delta, Nigeria's election and creeky political system, etc. These subjects were addressed dispassionately by persons outside of government circle. CFR does not cherry pick issues and issue leaders. It just analysis issues and aids the US Government articulate a foreign policy position. To suggest that change can only come through confrontation and a one-sided debate is patently Nigerian. Pray, in Nigeria we can have a veritable, truth-seeking and unbiased agency (with the pedigree of CFR), that has the leverage to compel debate on any/every issue in Nigeria. I am certain that CFR can see through the whitewash of Mrs. Waziri's agency. But we can all agree that she deserves to be heard and held accountable.

Dapxin  # 3 | 23.10.2009 07:29

=udokaamah;398528>Sonala, Stop preaching to the choir. CFR is a veritable institution established in 1921, prior to Nigeria's nationhood. Its democratic values are deeply entrenched. In the last 2 years alone, CFR has published papers on the Niger Delta, Nigeria's election and creeky political system, etc. These subjects were addressed dispassionately by persons outside of government circle. CFR does not cherry pick issues and issue leaders. It just analysis issues and aids the US Government articulate a foreign policy position. To suggest that change can only come through confrontation and a one-sided debate is patently Nigerian. Pray, in Nigeria we can have a veritable, truth-seeking and unbiased agency (with the pedigree of CFR), that has the leverage to compel debate on any/every issue in Nigeria. I am certain that CFR can see through the whitewash of Mrs. Waziri's agency. But we can all agree that she deserves to be heard and held accountable. First, I do not see how SO preaches to the choir here. Two, there is nowhere in my reading that it seems SO suggested that Mrs. Waz should not be heard. If anything, the author suggests clearly that Mrs. Waz would be talking 'thrash'. Its nice to see you are certain of that. Things we already know and mosdef things she doesnt/will not even do. Author admonishes the hosts to enjoy their $$$ while at it. I gat no problems with that. I question what you mean by the underlined, but if by any stretch you refer to debating with Mrs. Waziri, then I credit you with respects, regarding your ability to suspend your sense of REALITY. There's that thing they say about credibility....and as it affects Mrs. Waz, for todays EFCC , she hasnt even begun to try to own one, not to mention ones she most-deliberately buried...I would add, enjoy the movie.

Law Mefor  # 4 | 23.10.2009 09:36

The fight against corruption in Nigeria isn't working for no fault of Farida Waziri. It is just lack of political will and also for our terrible justice system. If they want to fight corruption, they first have to set up special courts. Call them tribunals if you like. Such courts will exclusively face corruption and economic crime matters. For now, what happens in the regular courts is arraignment and bail and the matter dies and looter goes off to enjoy his loot. There is no political will to fight corruption in Nigeria. What Farida is doing just a stopgap to pose the world.

Careman001  # 5 | 23.10.2009 12:08

Thanks SO for your sober thoughts. I could read your mind is truly breaking for your country, but don't give up the fight for your conscience's sake. Keep talking even when it seems they are not listening. That is the only way to absolve your soul of complacency, or the compromise of the coward. Nigeria is down presently but not out for reason best known to God. The will to fight is longer there and what most Nigerians are doing is to see what place they can cut their own slice of the cake. That explains the rampant lawlessness through unperturbed robbery, mind boggling kidnappings and disturbing grafts in high and low places. Nigeria is heading to the pit, how soon it will reach, I do not know, but the direction is certain. Soon, very soon, it will be another history that is told, of a sick man named Yardua who rubbished his once famous dynasty, of a dubious lawyer called Aodooaka who sits over Nigeria's justice, and of a witty man named Tony Anneh (Mr. Fix it) who does not even know the divine whistle is about to be blown that his time and antics are up, and of countless men and women of no repute who crushed the destiny of a great nation. Soon and very soon, it shall be a history told again.

emj  # 6 | 25.10.2009 19:20

If this is just a talk show, you compound the situation in Nigeria, and give United States foreign policy in Africa a severe black eye at the same time. Waziri is no corruption fighter; in one and a half years in office, as you will see when you examine her website (www.efccnigeria.org), her triumph has principally been in putting away clerks and housewives. Corruption where it hurts is not only alive in Nigeria, it is protected. My point, therefore, is that if what you are doing is not a game, but truly to help in the search for answers, your tried and tested method of meeting policymakers in a round table is a dead end in an issue such as corruption and good governance in Nigeria. It's a well known fact that she's not a corruption fighter....more like a decor. Last Monday, for instance, she said to you in Washington that she and President Umaru Yar’Adua have “zero tolerance for corruption.” Hmmm, tell me more...zero what?We can see that. what with all indicted former governors and their accolades roaming the streets like free range hens. Everyone at CFR knows that to be arrant, sloganeering nonsense. Yet nobody challenged that assertion. There, then, is where your format may be no more than an outdated political tool. In one and a half years in office, Mrs. Waziri has done not one thing that would make anyone in Nigeria—including her own staff—place her level of discomfort with graft in high places at more than 10 per cent. That will be very disconcerting o....5% is more like it. Here is one example. When she arrived last year, one of her first orders of business was to disperse the EFCC’s core professional staff. It was therefore hilarious last Monday when she told your carefully-assembled coffee group that when she assumed office, she met no structure, no accountability, no professionalism, and no integrity. Hopefully, you know better. The EFCC certainly had some problems when she arrived, but she has created far more, through manipulation and incompetence, during her tenure. Real professionals are a pain in the butt, hence the strategy of offing them....:eek: The truth is in your own files. When you hosted our Foreign Minister, Ojo Maduekwe in December last year, he confirmed that many of the agency’s highly-trained investigators, some of them trained here in the United States by the FBI and in the United Kingdom, had been eliminated by Waziri. Maduekwe even said that the fallout was “becoming a major foreign policy issue.” Those ones were trying to work too hard...that cant be allowed ojare. As a Nigerian, I will admit that we do not often do well in these situations. Rather than address the sticky issue, Mr. Maduekwe nonchalantly called on the United States to “train more people (for the EFCC).” He said blithely, “Now she has sent them away. Why don't we make progress, Ambassador? Let's not get stuck and maybe she'll -- the chairperson of EFCC sending those FBI (outfront ?) -- let's not make it an issue because if we make it an issue, the two partners, United States and Nigeria, that are agreed on the need to improve the situational capacity and fighting corruption, we'll all lose in that sense, you know. You have the capacity, are rich enough to train more people…” Maduekwe was making sense u know....look at it properly, the guy's right....train more on our behalf, at least we're cooperating in that wise and if u dont, it means that u're part of the problem(da US) This are disposable high level personnel...hope u know that....:twisted: But if the EFCC under Ribadu became a tool for hounding opponents of Olusegun Obasanjo, under Waziri, it has become a tool for protecting Yar’Adua’s friends. They have the keys to the best champagne in Aso Rock, our “White House.” In a newspaper interview in Nigeria last April, Yar’Adua said those contemptible indicted governors were his “friends.” That is why it is an insult that, on this side of the Atlantic, you offer Waziri opportunities to paint herself and President Yar’Adua in the colors of an anti-corruption fighter. None of them can make the claim in Nigeria. With the “right” people, they have no objection to corruption. Though they were offered the opportunity, everyone already knows(including their host) how very corrupt both are...it's more or less a charade. Still, I do not agree that you should cancel today’s scheduled event. In the future, however, I suggest you alter the structure of the discussions to permit some input from Nigerians outside the government. Otherwise, even in your own game, you would really be going in circles. For us, Waziri can offer you all the slogans and clichés she wants this week because she knows you will buy them all. It is your dollar. Enjoy. Hmmmm, aka, i go chop ur dollar...osofia:cool: Sonala i read u loud and clear. For u to have penned two articles within the past 24hrs on Nigeria and the sorry pass we're in shows how passionate you are about the situation.