I need to be educated on the mission of Gen. Abdulsalami's peace council vis-a-vis their recent visit to PMB. If I could get Father Kukah right, who spoke on behalf of the council to journalist, hinged on the issue that PMB's Government is expending its energy on probes rather than governance. They admonished that it is about time governance kick starts and gave the impression that the nation is impatient with PMB's government. I doubt if that is the mood of the nation though. Another issue is that PMB's administration is enjoying tremendous goodwill from International community. This goodwill could be eroded if the government continues in this way and will eventually make us a laughing stock. Then the shocker; The role played by GEJ in conceding defeat was a "spectacular" achievement that has brought about peace that we are enjoying today. The scenario would have been disastrous today if GEJ had acted otherwise. Father Kukah, who is a Psychologist, is subtly saying then GEJ should not be demonized but rather celebrated. In other words PMB should let by gone be by gone and move forward. Bluntly put, PMB shouldn't probe or investigate GEJ's government, or at least it shouldn't be associated to his (GEJ's) person. GEJ should not be humiliated. At least that is the literal interpretation of the peace councils round tripping with words as espoused by Father Kukah.
Another issue which I think is Father Kukahs' personal opinion rather than the councils thought, came up during an interview on Channels TV. Chamberlain Usoh asked him if he hasn't seen semblance of governance in the country with all that is happening since the Clergyman insinuated all that are happening now are probes? Father Kukah came up with a very cynical answer in my opinion. He said PMB had contested for four times and had ample time to pick his cabinet by now. He was insinuating that there is no governance as the country is now, because there are no ministers, even though acknowledging that PMB has the prerogative to appoint them when he wants. What he is implying again subtly, as a psychologist is that PMB is ill prepared for governance.
I think no one is in doubt as to the mess inherited by PMB. I stand to be corrected if Nigeria had ever had it so bad with respect to destruction and compromising of national institutions by corruption, nepotism and opaqueness. We should respect the enormous challenges confronted by this administration. PMB had already stated before now that he wants round pegs in round holes.
I very much doubt if Nigerians share in Father Kukahs line of thought that the non appointment of ministers amounts to ill preparation for governance by PMB. Perhaps he has other things in mind.
BabaZau Shettima is an advocate for Good Governance and has a deep rooted passion for an egalitarian society. He can be reached through e-mail, baazau@gmail.com or followed on twitter @baazau.
