One of President Umar Yar’Adua’s promises when he assumed office has, as yet, remains unmet. And given the President’s body language, it will remain so. In his inaugural speech, Yar’Adua vowed to fight corruption, arguably the biggest boulder on the nation’s path to greatness. The promise drew rapturous applause from a nation that has seen its dreams of greatness shattered by graft.

But what have we got? At best, lip service. The recent appointment of Emmanuel Olutokunbo Enaboifo aka Lulu as Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigeria Sao Tome Joint Development Authority, is a loud testimony to this. Enaboifo is a fugitive in the United States of America.

He was was involved in a scheme to defraud Philadelphia Saving Fund Society in 1986, while studying in the United States.

Was a background check conducted before Enaboifo was appointed? If yes, what did it throw up? If no, what happened to the government’s ceaseless chants about due process? The answer, certainly lies in between. It is either that the President is comfortable with Enaboifo’s fetid reputation or indifferent to it. Both ways, the President is unlikely to smell like rose, except to putrid-smelling figures like Enaboifo. In Enaboifo’s case, the assistance of the International Police could have been sought.

Nigerians and indeed other foreign nationals, who may want to have dealings with Nigeria, are discouraged by Yar’ Adua’s display of hypocrisy in the fight against corruption. In fact, analysts are already pointing to his actions as the sole reason for removing Malam Nuhu Ribadu from the EFCC.

We are not entirely taken aback by the President’s current flirtation with people of dented antecedents.

Appointing Enaboifo into such a sensitive office is a confirmation that President Yar’Adua is beholden to some corrupt, but powerful interests.

The said Enaboifo is an ally of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, a major financier of the President’s campaign in 2007. The maths is not very difficult to work out.

This appointment, without doubt, is an incubus to the efforts of Professor Dora Akunyili, Minister for Information and Communication, re-brand Nigeria. We hold strongly that a country that always appoints corrupt figures into sensitive government positions can only have a mouldy image. The Presidentt’s own image will hardly be enhanced. Certainly not with the baggage of the flawed process that brought him to office–irrespective of the courts have said–and his love-in with discredited figures. The battle against corruption should go beyond a recitation of slogans. All anti-corruption agencies must urgently be strengthened to give them teeth to bite all corrupt citizens.

Finally, radical steps must be taken in ensuring that every person with the kind of blemish on Enaboifo are removed and made to face the full wrath of the law. People with questionable characters who now call the shots in government must pave way for reputable citizens with genuine interest in serving the nation. In doing this, the Federal Government should equally make out time to redress the myriad of corruption scandals hanging on the necks of many former government officials. This will go a long way to help Prof. Akunyili in her effort to re-brand our country

Yar'Adua suspends NERC boss, commissioners
Written by Emma Ujah Abuja Bureau Chief
Thursday, 19 February 2009

ABUJA—PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua has suspended the Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Ransom Owan and his commissioners in line with the recommendations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is currently investigating allegations of graft leveled against them.
The President also appointed the commission’s Secretary, Mr. Imamuddeen Talba to oversee the affairs of the organization till further notice.

Dr. Rilwanu Babalola, the Minister of Power told journalists in Abuja, yesterday, that the suspension was to give the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) free hand to undertake full investigation into the alleged financial misconduct against the top officials.

“Based on its preliminary findings, the EFCC recommended to the federal government the suspension of the commissioners to allow it proceed with detailed and unfettered investigation of the matter.

“Following the recommendation of the EFCC, President Yar’Adua approved the suspension of the seven commissioners of NERC pending the resolution of the matter,” Babalola disclosed.

Dr. Babalola dispelled allegations that the arrest of Dr. Owan and his commissioners was a script written by those who wanted them out of office, noting that there was no basis for such a script and that ‘there was no script whatsoever’.

“The president is not interfering in the matter. I have no reason whatsoever to interfere in the matter. From this side, we prefer to work by facts. There has been allegations and these allegations are being investigated. There is no script. I can assure you that there is no script.

Let us not speculate. Let’s wait and see whether the allegations are true or not.”
The minister also clarified that those raising questions on whether or not the president had power to suspend the affected officials ‘must appreciate the fact that the law setting up the NERC provides that the president appoints the commissioners and could therefore ask them to vacate office.

According to him, it is only when the president wants to terminate the appointment of the commissioners that he would require Senate approval.

The minister who said that the nation’s power generation had fallen to between 3,000 to 3, 200 megawatts admitted that it was a shame for a country of over 140 million to be talking of such low power generation.

He was, however, not forthcoming when asked how long it would take president Yar’Adua to declare emergency in the power sector as he promised, early into his administration.

He said the power sector crisis had lasted a long time due to long term neglect but did not say when the emergency would be declared.

Babalola who did not say how long Mr. Talba would oversee NERC said he would be assisted by Engr. Alex Amakom.