In the recent times, a renowned
social crusader, Festus Keyamo (SAN )
faced adverse criticisms over his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari;
first as a board member of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
And recently, the legal luminary was announced as the spokesperson of the President
Buhari Reelection Campaign Organization which some conceived as a betrayal of
the masses. From their inferences, Keyamo prioritized egotism; abandoning the
Nigerian masses he has over two decades fearlessly represented their interests.
In their calculations, Keyamo, archetype
of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), the deceased ‘senior advocate of the
masses’ (SAM) ought not to have anything to do with appointment in government let
alone to serve as the arrowhead of President Buhari’s reelection bid. By the
appointment as the spokesperson, Keyamo will be championing the reelection bid
of President Buhari. Candidly, a cursory look at attitudes of several activists
in the past that abandoned the masses after taking up appointments will also logically
frown at Keyamo’s two appointments in the present administration.
Incidentally, one must not be judged
by the lifestyles of others. Without a doubt, this is a testing ground for
Keyamo but obviously premature to make conclusions. The other side of the coin
is that Keyamo who is incontrovertibly sound, altruistic and proficient with
positive thinking is now partly in the government; thus, a good representation
of the voiceless in the government. The second is that right from inception of
the present administration; Keyamo has consistently stood by President Buhari’s
anti-graft battle and thus, no drift by his acceptance. Moreover, the NDIC
which Keyamo is a board member has so much to do with the masses welfare being
the depositors’ insurer. Inarguably, Keyamo has consistently advocated for
reelection even before President Buhari declared to re-contest contending that
all the progresses put in place so far may end back at square one if they are not
consolidated by reelecting the President.
Is there hardship in the country even
more pathetic than in the 16 years of PDP; emphatically yes. Are the masses truly
suffering; the answer is equally yes. However, it is needless to note all over
again that most part of the period, the nation’s only revenue; crude oil was in
boom until middle of the immediate past administration which led that
government to rely and exhaust the reserved funds from the oil boom, and later
resorted to loans for recurrent expenditures which is an index of economic
recession. Notwithstanding the quagmires, there is obviously hope of economic
progression in the nation.
A critical evaluation of the policies
of the present administration requires no soothsayers to have confidence in the
nation. Keyamo’s appointment therefore points to a desideratum and paradigm
shift in governance. A leading light that has carved a niche and comfortably pays
his bills deserves encomiums for taking the appointments which undeniably will divide
his concentration. Ditto on President Buhari for assigning responsibilities to
people with antecedents. More importantly, Keyamo embodies the new generation
alongside skilled-class in politics rather than the usual politicians with no other
means of livelihood or experiences. Keyamo must not imitate Fawehinmi to the
extreme who vowed not to serve in any government except elected as president
and ended up as the best president Nigeria never had. Eventually, his good dreams
for the country passed on with him.
As for Keyamo’s possible compromises;
that’s a case of one counting the chickens before they are hatched. The hard
truth is that more gurus are required in government circles to bring in their
ideas towards the needed change while others remain outside to strike a balance
as a good many has distinguished themselves in checkmating excesses of governments.
Indeed, if all those with experiences stay away from government to be
spectators and critics, the most that could happen is the usual holding
governments to ransom but without proffering meaningful solutions for value. Keyamo
as a board member will undoubtedly add value to NDIC and its operations.
Then, as the spokesperson of the
reelection bid, apart from bringing some level of etiquette and decorum in
politics, Keyamo stands in a good position to attract the professional class into
politics. President Buhari should be commended for partnership with such resourceful
persons; professionals that can give good directions. As a matter of fact, more
professionals like Femi Falana (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and Professor Amuda
Kannike (SAN) etc are needed in the political space especially in the Senate.
It is absurd to leave the upper chamber for amateurs to occupy while proficient
citizens stay back as spectators or critics. The overall essence of bilateral
legislature is for maximum productivity but where the same category of people
occupies the two chambers, the concept becomes counterproductive.
Umegboro, a public
affairs analyst writes from Abuja. (07057101974-SMS-only)
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