By ONOFIOK LUKE
As in melodramas, sensationalism was a very visible feature in the acts, the reason being to appeal to the emotions of Nigerians. Since Sanusi’s suspension, it has become clear that the CBN scriptwriters have successfully appealed to the emotions and sentiments of most Nigerians, who draw judgment from the Federal Government’s action. Sentiments have apparently taken the place of reasoning and objectivist discourse.
Trust that while corporate entities like the CBN have a way of weathering the storms and quickly regaining stability, following a high-profile shake-up like this, the media will characteristically continue to bustle with the subject of Sanusi’s suspension by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Since the announcement of the suspension, there have been waves of comments in the media, profiling the pros and cons of the move by the President. But what appears to be deliberately snubbed is the crux of the suspension itself. There is the overwhelming departure of majority of those challenging the suspension from what I consider the crux of the matter – Federal Government’s allegations of serial infractions and financial recklessness by Sanusi.
Nigerians should make the issues raised against Sanusi by the government the epicentre of the debate. Let us discuss the content of the suspension as in the letter to Sanusi by the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF).
The argument that Sanusi’s sack stems from the man’s whistle-blowing is as juvenile as it is sentimental. If anything, the suspension of Sanusi will only successfully concentrate international and local attention on the said missing money thereby forcing the Federal Government to take seriously and make more transparent the facts-finding process on the whereabouts of the funds.
Sanusi’s removal has not stopped the fact that the National Assembly is investigating his claims of the missing money. The claim of some missing money cannot be bought wholesale in the first place. By now, there is a question of credibility on his claims, following his faux pas some months ago on a similar claim of some unremitted monies by the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC).
Sanusi disappointed Nigerians with his reversal of self at the Senate few days after his claim. First, it was $49 billion that he said was missing. He would later reverse himself to $12 billion and further to $10 billion after admitting that he got his figures wrong, and then to $20 billion in what now appears like a prank played on Nigerians by a high-ranking government official as the CBN Governor.
Commentaries should focus on whether Sanusi is liable to the particulars of infractions as enumerated in his letter of disengagement. The proper challenge would be to provide convincing evidences, proving that Sanusi did not persistently contravene Section 15 subsection 1(a) of the Public Procurement Act by engaging in the procurement of goods and services, amounting to billions of naira without the permission of the Bureau of Public Procurement.
It would amount to mere noisemaking to challenge Sanusi’s suspension without providing evidences to the contrary that his spendthrift “intervention projects” were illegal, self-serving and without adherence to the federal character principles as enshrined in the constitution.
By now, Sanusi should have begun to roll out comprehensive facts to the effect that, as against the scathing reports to the President by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, he complied with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as required by law; never breached the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Deposit Money Banks by unlawfully utilising the banking resolution sinking funds without requisite approvals.
Those close to Sanusi would have told the man that rather than giving the impression of being witch-hunted, the honourable thing to do is to put the records straight on his alleged acquisition of seven per cent shares worth more than N7 billion Naira in a Malaysian Islamic Corporation without the approval of the President and contrary to the CBN Act 2007.
What is Sanusi’s response to his alleged spending of over N1.2 billion on “private guards” and “lunch for policemen”, almost three times of that sum on advertising the CBN, and more than N20billion on “legal and professional fees”? The onus lies on Sanusi to prove government’s claims wrong and unfounded.
Why would you set standards for passing judgment on another man but would not have same standards adopted in judging you? Or has equity ceased to be approached with clean hands? We should shift the discourse to the issues raised by Sanusi’s former employer otherwise the protest against his suspension can only to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Another concern in discussing the Sanusi saga is the man’s of irreverence of authority. Sanusi’s relationship with the Presidency has overtime revealed just how much he may have been contemptuously dealing with his employer, a result of which was his recurring face-off with the President and other high-ranking members of the executive.
Sanusi told The Financial Times of London some years ago that his ambition is to be the Emir of Kano. But as a crowned Prince and one whose ambition is to occupy a seat as revered as that of the Emir, I believe that disobedience to constituted authority and treating of people in high offices with sassiness should feature least in his character.
Sanusi’s attitude since his suspension has further underscored his sheer impudence for authority. It was, therefor,e little wonder that immediately after his suspension, Sanusi found warmth in none other but the open arms of the likes of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Following his achievements in government, El-Rufai was my ideal successor to then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The other gentleman whose style of politics and refinement inspired me, was Mr. Nuhu Ribadu. I held these two in very high regard and thought either of them would do excellently as Baba’s successor.
However, El-Rufai’s playing of politics with almost every national issue has put me off the man, with every due respect to him.
We saw El-Rufai posting on twitter a convoy of Sanusi entering Ikoyi shortly after the suspension as if to say “a hero was back.” This further expressed the arrogance of men who would rather whip up sentiments rather than address salient issues raised.
One expected the likes of El-Rufai to urge Sanusi to depart from sentiments and engage the Federal Government point-for-point, and reason-for-reason. Only in doing this can we have a balanced and informed debate on his suspension. Until Sanuai comes up to counter the claims of massive infractions by him, he has only successfully registered his name in the books of technocrats who saw their offices as veritable platforms to turn politicians.
Instead of dissipate energy on barren talks, I think it is time for a sober reflection for the former CBN Governor. Sanusi should resist the temptation to be dragged into the nonprofit venture of puerile activism as canvassed by El-Rufai.
Until Sanusi can prove otherwise, I believe the President has acted altogether in good faith.
•Onofiok Luke is member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly
The post Sanusi’s sack: Debating facts or sentiments? appeared first on The Sun News.
Follow us on Twitter: @NewsFetchers
Like our Facebook page: NewsFetchers
No comments
Post a Comment