RIBADU: The Battle of Spin Doctors

By Yushau A. Shuaib

Spin doctor is a slang which describes a person who publicizes favorable interpretations of the words and actions of a public figure, especially a politician. Surprisingly public relations persons object to being described as such because they believe the phrase has derogatory connotation and is more appropriate for those who specialize in turning black to white and vice versa. However as could be observed from commentaries over the redeployment saga of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, almost all major opinion molders including the media, clerics, scholars, lawyers, activists amongst others have engaged in spinning to either eulogize or castigate the parties in the brouhaha over the man’s redeployment for capacity building at the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Jos Plateau State. Everyone seems to be an unsolicited spin doctor for the parties involved.

On the other hand, the professional spin doctors use the media anonymously to divulge sensitive information or reckless insinuations, to cast aspersion on presumed opponents while portraying their principals in favorable spotlight in the battle of wits. Since the case involves security and intelligence, the attempts by the so-called reliable sources to hide their identities are efforts in futility. In this age of advanced technology, editors and spokespersons must be aware that telephone lines and messages are easily tapped and intercepted for various purposes.

The most unfortunate scenario staring us on the face as a nation is the politicization and personalization of the redeployment which, mind you, is not removal. The painful irony is the angle it is taking: EFCC vs the Government or Nuhu Ribadu vs President Yar’Adua. Definitely the uproar has given the nation, not only the leaders a bad image. Why should we go through this unnecessary bickering which overheats the system in the New Year? In fact some have gone to the extreme to question any achievement of the new administration and read ulterior motives on its professed seven point agenda insinuating as well that the rule of law slogan is used as a smokescreen to protect corruption. The situation took a frightening dimension when international community and foreigners were dabbling into a purely internal affair.

There is no doubt that Ribadu was able to court the goodwill of the public, especially the media by his receptiveness to their enquiries and for daring the untouchables. He therefore deserved all the solidarity, taking into cognizance that as human he has obvious shortcomings which explains the alleged selectivity in the choice of his preys.  EFCC as anti-corruption agency, under him undoubtedly performed exceedingly well in raising the consciousness of Nigerians on the ills of corruption. It is a memorable legacy that within a short time he established a well-organised institution where staffs are provided realistic welfare package to dissuade them from corrupt practices and even set up a well-equipped training institute.

It is instructive that most of the officers in EFCC that create a perception of incorruptibility, are not from the moon but products of our same much vilified Nigerian Police on secondment.  It is quite a case of black pot producing white pap even if they are righteous converts of late. In the first instance there could not have been a necessity for the creation of ICPC and EFCC if the police had not failed in their responsibilities in crime prevention and protection of life and property. The two anti-corruption agencies should have been departments under the police force. EFCC is a clear lesson that with political will we can make radical transformation. Were Ribadu and his team typical consultants who are entitled to commissions for recovery of funds, from what they have recovered so far, definitely they could have been a new generation of billionaires without cutting corners.

The grievous mistake committed by Nuhu Ribadu was his refusal to reason with members of the last legislative arm during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo who had intended to amend the act establishing EFCC to make it more autonomous like other constitutional bodies whose membership tenures are guaranteed such that members cannot be removed or redeployed without the consent of majority of the legislators. In fact even the federal civil service commission has no power to sanction, appoint or promote staffs of such bodies. Example can be cited of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). As it is presently constituted, the law does not confer the EFCC with such autonomy and independence.

Surprisingly too much emotion and sentiments have been poured on the redeployment instead of addressing the basics. The nomination of Ribadu for the course is befitting of his status. The National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) is the highest leadership training institute for top functionaries in public and private sectors in Nigeria. It is not for nothing that the institute is often referred to as Mafia Nigeria Incorporated (MNI) instead of its official acronym for Member National Institute.  It has served as a training ground for most top ranking leaders who later became Presidents, ministers, governors, chief executives of corporate organizations, chiefs in security and public service etc. Its serene environment is tonic for the kind of strenuous but strategic studies undertaken and yet it has a component for local and foreign tours for participants to understudy other environments in providing practical solutions to our myriad of problems.

We must remember that most of the victors and losers of the 2007 Elections have their fates sealed by Nuhu Ribadu’s EFCC when it cleared or indicted them through a report of investigation. Surprisingly some indicted public figures, who were presumed as corrupt were alleged to have funded victories of the cleared candidates. These are some of the moral questions. Politics is a dirty game. But I wonder: Isn’t it reasonable to expect relief in whatever way for financiers who induced the system to influence the electoral process after they might have entered into agreement for soft landing? Some say NO POLITICIAN is EVER CLEAN. We know that big corporations all over the world fund and install governments to protect their interests.

I want the next stages of EFCC to be mindful of our reality and peculiarity. It should consider treading softly on our indigenous entrepreneurs whose investments have provided legitimate employments to our youths and provide social service to our society. Like I always say, where we to be forced to choose between two evils, we can only settle for a lesser one. For instance if Otunba Mike Adenuga of Globalcom, has a case to answer in corporate competitive scheming, we must consider the fact that he has successfully broken the monopoly of foreign communication operators with affordable and quality service; his firms also provide thousands of jobs and engage in massive corporate social responsibility than other similar organizations. I should not be misunderstood here, just being frank and expressing a belief that most organizations engage in hanky-panky to win patronages. We need to support and encourage ours with all incentives and reliefs in the business world without harassment and intimidation.

We only hope if another dogged fighter like Prof. Dora Akunyili of NAFDAC is nominated for similar a programme or assigned a greater role, we won’t interpret it to mean that the government wants to flood the market with fake drugs to exterminate the entire citizens. There is nothing more dignifying than leaving the stage when the ovation is loudest. Failures of most leaders result from attempts to overstay their usefulness. The contributions of those, whose tenures were shortened, even in controversial circumstances, still linger in memory years after they had left. I remember Murtala Muhammad and Muhammad Buhari/ Tunde Idiagbon administration. I believe Nuhu Ribadu can still play a greater role in future. May I therefore call on spin doctors to sheathe their swords now that the position is clear?

Yushau A. Shuaib

yashuaib@yahoo.com

Abuja

Robot  Villager

# 1 Spin doctors use the media anonymously to divulge sensitive information or reckless insinuations to ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 10.01.2008 03:37

Paradisevog  Villager

# 2 My man, your article is very close to objective. But point of correction: EFCC and Ribadu is not a purely internal affair or domestic matter. The EFCC is funded by foreign governments. They have a legitimate interest in how the affairs are run. Posted by Paradisevog| 10.01.2008 09:19

MrOneNaija  Villager

# 3 It is instructive that most of the officers in EFCC that create a perception of incorruptibility, are not from the moon but products of our same much vilified Nigerian Police on secondment. It is quite a case of black pot producing white pap even if they are righteous converts of late. In the first instance there could not have been a necessity for the creation of ICPC and EFCC if the police had not failed in their responsibilities in crime prevention and protection of life and property. The two anti-corruption agencies should have been departments under the police force. EFCC is a clear lesson that with political will we can make radical transformation. Were Ribadu and his team typical consultants who are entitled to commissions for recovery of funds, from what they have recovered so far, definitely they could have been a new generation of billionaires without cutting corners. Is the initiating article of the thread yet another pro-Ribadu spin disguised as "objectivity"? Go figure! Posted by MrOneNaija| 10.01.2008 10:54

ula-lisa  Villager

# 4 The most unfortunate scenario staring us on the face as a nation is the politicization and personalization of the redeployment which, mind you, is not removal. The painful irony is the angle it is taking: EFCC vs the Government or Nuhu Ribadu vs President Yar’Adua. Definitely the uproar has given the nation, not only the leaders a bad image. Why should we go through this unnecessary bickering which overheats the system in the New Year? In fact some have gone to the extreme to question any achievement of the new administration and read ulterior motives on its professed seven point agenda insinuating as well that the rule of law slogan is used as a smokescreen to protect corruption. The situation took a frightening dimension when international community and foreigners were dabbling into a purely internal affair. As a caveat, I do think that you write as a spin-doctor or to be more blunt, you are a 'hack writer'...just ma opinion...I am entitled to it, sir. 1. I do not know how long you have been on these boards, but the majority of villagers had agreed that the EFCC was a good idea...i.e. fighting corruption was the right way to go...what we bickkered on was not so much whether NR was doing a good job, but his perceived selectivity...in prosecution...all say those he had hounded were not innocent. 2. Yar Adua, had campaigned on continuing on the legacy of OBJ...Who may be wrong in so many ways but regarding the EFCC, it was a good believable Agency...if he fooled us, he also fooled the international community who not only rolled out the red carpet for Nuhu, but also found him the money and training for his men...Then Attorney General Ashcroft rolled out a special program in which Lamorde was specially acknowledged, coorperating with the USA. 3. Nuhu is exceptional, even if he has his faults, as compared to the culture where he comes from...we know the odds he faces daily... 4. Fast forward to the elections...then comes Yar Adua and his alter ego, Aondoakaa (whose rise to fame was as defender of the corrupt governors; defending them against EFCC IN COURT). 5. Then the Due Process mantra...then the attempt to subsume the right of the EFCC to prosecute to the powers and whims of the AGF as the 'chief law officer'...then the letter to courts in far away London, not to prosecute but to release...then the so-called call to higher training in NIPPS...after the arrest of the untouchables!!! When there are too many coincidences, the diligent pause to examine if there might be some motive or an explanation...for instance, why, the Kuru course could not wait out the remaining 4 years...or why the deputy is being sent on course too?...or why the timing to coincide with the investigation and pending trial of those who may or may not have bankrolled the elections??? Questions need answers, clear answers not accusations and alienation of our international supporters... Now, pray tell... Who is assaulting who? We dare to ask because this country belongs to us and we have left persons to currupt it for too long...we need answers...we need the politicians be accountable to us and not lord it over us. WE NEED EXPLANATIONS, NOT MORE SPIN, SIR. Da Bishop. Who is spinning what here? Posted by ula-lisa| 10.01.2008 10:55

Watchman  Villager

# 5 This article is well written and quite interesting and I want to commend the writer for this. However unfortunately it once again shows the flawed thinking of many of us Nigerians in our approach to critical issues in our national life. This way of thinking in many of us has been developed through the cultural/socialization processes most of us undergo in our different hamlets/villages which we then carry to the national level. The author spoke of “…politicization and personalization of the redeployment which, mind you, is not removal…” ( 3rd paragraph). With due respect all major offices at all levels in this nation are personalized and politicised (it’s a cultural thing and has its strengths and weaknesses), so this issue of politicization and personalization is actually a weak excuse and to all intents and purposes irrelevant. This real issue here is the “sending Ribadu on course” and the timing of the exercise. I have marvelled at some of the previous articles and comments on this issue. Thay have been very enlightening and instructive. It shows that quite a number of us Nigerians are dishonest and goes a long way in explaining why we are where we are as a nation today. Here is a man, a NIGERIAN man (not a robot or perfect person), who has been able to take up the fight against corruption in this nation against all odds, putting his life on the line in the process. Going against the establishment and all kinds of entrenched forces who for years have held this nation captive!!!! He is a very very rare breed of Nigerian and 47 years of recent history will bear me out. He has been limited (and interestingly also been empowered) by having to work under the flawed leadership of an executive president (both past and present). I don’t think he needs anyone to defend him, his record speaks for itself. The people against him can be put broadly into 3 categories (1) the strict perfectionists (and they are very few) who believe dealing with corruption can be done in a squeaky clean manner, with all the niceties and details of the rule of law, they are unrealistic and should go and live in utopia. (2) the corrupt cancerous cannibalistic class, they are the defacto rulers and are by far the most power group in the country (there are very powerful cults involved here). They have some of their proxies on this site. If we apply the rule book and the niceties of the law in dealing with them it may take us another 300years to just level with them. and (3) those who blow from one side to the other depending on which is expedient (and some just want to be heard). Most of those in this group need to do a ‘reality testing’ check. Let us for argument sake remove motive from the Ribadu posting issue. You don’t remove a serving executive who is performing, and certainly not in the middle of major operations. Sending a performing executive for training in the midst of critical operations is just a nice way of saying we don’t agree with the direction you are going, and we won’t have it period. The key question then is what dosen’t the government like about what Ribadu is currently doing. If it was just a question of “improving him” they would have waited till things were more quiet. So what is Ribadu doing NOW that the government doesn’t like??? your guess is as good as mine. As a nation endowed with such tremendous resources, both natural and human we have no business being where we are. Our leaders (govt) through corruption have turned this nation with so much potential into an aberation and ridicule and here we have some people arguing about the propriety or otherwise of moving Ribadu!!!!! Any system that is self-destructive and feeds on itself will ultimately disintergrate if not checked. Posted by Watchman| 10.01.2008 13:15

kynetta  JJC

# 6 "redeployment which, mind you, is not removal." This is a bogus statement. Have ever heard of the saying that if it is not broken dont fix it? You are just another spin doctor. Go and spin your lie on another medium. Posted by kynetta| 11.01.2008 09:44