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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist (4730 Views)
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Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by maclatunji: 3:44pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
By Lawrence Nwobu The appointment of Reuben Abati as federal government spokes-person and his hasty acceptance of that ignoble post, which in effect makes him the chief spin-master and defender of a federal government that thrives on deceit and whose main purpose in governance is the massive looting and consequent dehumanisation of her own citizens came as no surprise. The red flag was raised a while ago that Abati was in an intense lobby for a government position when he wrote a ten- part article on the Jonathan Presidency. The article was a well rehearsed display of sycophancy designed to market himself to the presidency for a government post from whence he can join the cabal of executive robbers in the infamous looting of the nations coffers. [b]I know that some would argue that accepting an offer to serve as Abati has done, could be an opportunity for a critic to bring the change he has variously written about on the simple logic that if all good men stay away from service, the change we all crave will never come. Yet that logic falls flat on its face in Abati’s case for the simple fact that he will not be managing any ministry, state, board or parastatal where he can directly implement transformative reforms. Unlike a parastatal like NAFDAC where Dr Dora Akunyili was able to introduce transformative reforms or the ministry of Finance where Dr Ngozi Iweala was able to implement her programs of debt cancellation during the erstwhile Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Abati’s role as government spokes-person is purely and simply a government propagandist that spins the fairy tales of deceit from the presidency from which capacity he has no bearing to implement any change. This is a fact which Reuben Abati himself must have known before accepting that position out of greed and crass opportunism.[/b] But beyond Reuben Abati’s paradoxical acceptance of a government position that clearly contradicts his long years of caustic criticism lies the real issues of hypocrisy and opportunism which has led to the death of the Nigerian media. Nigerian journalists have since become seasoned hypocrites and opportunists who send critical anti-government articles from their stables on a regular basis only to end up jumping into the same government at the slightest opportunity. Once in government, they become apologists of the same government they had spent years criticising. This has had the effect of diminishing any pressure such critical articles could ordinarily have exerted on the government as every journalist is now seen as a rabble rousing opportunist hypocrite who is only criticising because he has not been offered a position in government. In other parts of the world, journalists are ideological professionals with an unwavering commitment to the struggle for social justice. Jumping into government as is the case with Nigerian opportunist journalists is unheard off. They remain at their stables in most cases as a lifelong venture, holding the government accountable to the citizens. Journalism is a noble profession and has remained so in saner climes populated by rational persons, but in Nigeria the same destructive factors have not surprisingly devoured the profession and populated it with opportunistic charlatans who use their stables as a means of negotiating their way into government for self serving purposes. Thus, in accepting a government position, Reuben Abati has only acted in the true traditions of hypocrisy and opportunism for which Nigerian journalists and media have become infamous. Another issue that demands close examination is Abati’s actual moral fitness for a government appointment. Nigeria needs nation builders not bigots. Reuben Abati has written many articles in the past which bothered clearly on ethnic bigotry. On several occasions he abused his position as a senior editor and later chairman of the editorial board of the Guardian newspapers by writing hate-filled articles. In France, Rwanda and other serious nations, racist or ethnic insults incur jail terms. Abati’s bigoted articles would be enough to end his career and send him to jail in saner climes but he escaped scrutiny and got away with such narrow mindedness, irresponsibility and abuse, because Nigeria is a self destructive mockery of a nation. The government on its own part has a responsibility to exhaustively verify the backgrounds of individuals before appointing them to government. A narrow minded bigot adds no value and is least desired in a deeply diverse nation like Nigeria that faces increasing challenges from her ethnic and religious contradictions. But it comes as no surprise that on one hand Reuben Abati somersaults from his pretentious criticisms of the government to accept a position that defends the same government and on the other hand the government appoints a journalist who has a background in bigotry, after all both Abati and the federal government are immoral birds of a feather who must necessarily flock together . http://article/reuben-abati-government-critic-apologist |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by maclatunji: 3:44pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
I agree with the writer based on the bolded, what do you think? |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Pukkah: 4:27pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
I'm beginning to have this uncanny feeling that some (if not many) of these journalists or so-called human activists deliberately start out with the sole aim of being offered some post in government. They start by criticizing the government with well-researched facts and 'pretend' to be pro-masses in order to gain ascendancy after which, on being offered some position, they abandon the fleeting cause they took upon themselves in preference to lining their pockets. This appears to be their modus operandi. With this background, and as pointed out by the writer that Mr Abati has accepted a position from which he can effect no change, the pattern that is emerging in the country is unsettling. In all, the problems of Nigeria are getting more and more complicated by the day. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by highland(m): 4:34pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
Pukkah: Everyone desire a better place in life. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by maclatunji: 4:54pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
Okay, but do not pretend as if you are fighting for the masses or doing them a favour. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by wesley80(m): 5:03pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
Bla bla bla. And who wld the writer rather have as spokesperson? A certified criminal so we all can wave aside the minute he opens his mouth to speak? Every govt wld have to implement tough policies and make unpopular decisions and its ability to sell its idea and intentions to the public wld be critical to its intentions and how it's perceived by the governed. Abati as a respected columnist that built a followership few (if any) in the entire history of this country can claim to have done is about the most qualified man out there to fulfil such a critical role. If being a govt spokesman equates telling lies and spinning the truth to the writer, then so be it. I'm tired of reading silly and maliciously preconceived articles all in the name of wanting the best for Nigeria. Rubbish. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Pukkah: 5:09pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
highland: Yeah, but it is morally wrong to be a hypocrite. maclatunji: Exactly. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Shimao(m): 6:22pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
Mr. Ajonouma gets company. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by enyojo(f): 6:35pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
He might even get worse than Segun Adeniyi as the crow flies |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by dapachez: 6:38pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
Man must wack na even broS Abati need am mtchEeeeeeeeeew bloody chameleon |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Allohrandy(m): 7:54pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
Rueben abati is nothing but a hypocrite.yesterday he was condeming the pdp government today he is eating and dining with them. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by suwailad(f): 7:56pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
you guys forgotten those jonathan bags of money and samsung galaxies? |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by mustafar1: 8:17pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
this man was throwing darts and arrows at the delta state inauguration lecture just some months ago. anyway, wise men say. the best way to shut a critic up is by giving him a job" which is exactly what GEJ did and less than a week into it. he seems to have shed his 'social crusader' skin |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by MrGlobe(m): 11:04pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
No I Disagree!!! Its from an attention seeker to a sycophant. But seriously the problem of Nigeria is that of sycophancy. Hunger too dey so man must wack |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by wesley80(m): 11:33pm On Jul 18, 2011 |
must_a_far: Are u sure u watched the lecture? He gave constructive criticisms and proffered solutions and had absolutely no reason to throw darts or whatever, he was the guest speaker for God's sake. If u want to castigate him, by all means do so, go ahead and join the bandwagon afterall its the latest fad, but dont accuse him of what he didnt do. No be only u dey watch TV. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Nobody: 12:04am On Jul 19, 2011 |
Just like Fani-kayode,he may end up as a minister very soon. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by reindeer: 1:48am On Jul 19, 2011 |
Seriously It is obvious anyone justifying Odechukwu can't be rational. It is obvious it is Reuben Abati's turn to be used and humiliated. Shameless thing |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Uche2008: 1:59am On Jul 19, 2011 |
Abati was said to be involve in collecting land in abuja for favour. I dont know how true. But Abati is not a critic of government and have never been before. how can you call abati radical. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Nobody: 1:46pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
Once in government, they become apologists of the same government they had spent years criticising. This has had the effect of diminishing any pressure such critical articles could ordinarily have exerted on the government as every journalist is now seen as a rabble rousing opportunist hypocrite who is only criticising because he has not been offered a position in government. true |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by hbrednic: 1:57pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
long story na criti abati go chop you mr lawrence if they offer you the same job,will you reject it ? let abati be joor |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by baaliyah(m): 2:09pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
Bayo Ojo and Fani Kayode did thesame thing. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by mallorca(m): 2:10pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
time will tell hbrednic:seconded |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by DaDoctor: 2:12pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
^^LEVI AJONUMA ABIKE DABIRI REUBEN ABATI BLA BLA BLA EVEN PHESTUS KEEYAMO NKO? Yes, hunger will make you show ur skills and you will be pinned and employed with a good government offer. NAIJA I HAIL OH!!!!^^ |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by mrjingles(m): 2:30pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
The man has been invited to "come and eat". Make una leave the man, he has to make a living, the guy is getting close to retirement and he just realized feeding would be a challenge after that. Newspaper columns and TV appearances doesn't pay the bills in Nigeria. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by dayokanu(m): 2:45pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
Odechukwus spokeman interpreting the mind of a reetardeen must be a demanding job |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Mobinga: 2:49pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
Abati! You criticize the Government on your Guardian Friday columns with intriguing conversing style. You make fun of our First Lady's impeccable English. Yet, you join them! Kai! What a betrayal. Its like seeing Wole Soyinka becoming Jonathans aide! Its ridiculous and egregious! This just shows that Nigerians are Hypocrites! Including nairalanders who criticize everything. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Godmann(m): 3:23pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
I met Reuben sometimes around 2002 and asked him why they do not criticize government enough. His answer was that they also do not want to die. He passes as a big sycophant to me. He is just a cheat. Opportunist that sold dull and clueless GEJ to us. Now they want to eat us dry. |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by donor: 3:23pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
One should be able to identify a barking dog that mean business or not. i stop ready his articles long ago |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by Baawaa(m): 4:52pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
This writer is an enemy of progress!!Because your friend has moved a step further you came up with meaningless article.Pray,God will surely do your own.If Abati really want,he can be agent of change, What i perceive from this write-up is jealous,hatred |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by ayo2pec(m): 5:27pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
i see this a good development and opportunity to bring his long years of media experience to bear. He is skillful. Thanks |
Re: Reuben Abati: From Government Critic To Apologist by ideylaff: 5:33pm On Jul 19, 2011 |
Reuben Abati |
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