My Thoughts On Gambari’s Statement, By Abdul Oroh

Babajide Okeowo
Writer
Abdul Oroh, a former Commissioner for Information and Agriculture in Edo
Abdul Oroh, a former Commissioner for information in Edo

Ad

Peter Obi Condemns “Derogatory” Labels, Says His Supporters Are Not Street Urchins

By Abiola Olawale Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has condemned the use of derogatory labels against his supporters, stressing that no Nigerian should ever be described as a “street urchin.” In a statement posted on his official X handle, the former Anambra State governor decried what he called…

Atiku blasts Tinubu govt over Nnaji scandal, says resignation ‘whitewash of forgery’

By Obinna Uballa Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the resignation of Uche Nnaji, erstwhile Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, describing it as “an attempt to whitewash yet another scandal” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Nnaji resigned on Tuesday after an investigation by Premium Times alleged that he submitted forged academic and NYSC…

“My Resignation Not An Admission of Guilt,” Nnaji Declares

By Abiola Olawale Uche Nnaji, Nigeria's erstwhile Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting his recent resignation from President Bola Tinubu's cabinet was a "principled decision" rather than a concession to guilt. The controversy, which has dominated headlines for over a week, centered on claims that Nnaji allegedly submitted falsified…

Ad

I am trying to understand what Professor Ibrahim Gambari meant by saying he would be loyal and answerable only to the president. He was quoted in the media as saying so. If he doesn’t want to be heard publicly while working quietly and efficiently, fair enough but to separate presidential responsibilities from national interest is to be clever by half. 

If we assume that whatever the president does or fails to do impacts on the nation one way or the other, all those who work at the presidency or in the public office generally owe their allegiance and loyalty primarily to the nation. There are no options for this. It is  unpatriotic to distinguish between serving the president and serving the nation.

Anybody who is paid from the National Treasury must primarily be loyal to the nation and ultimately, answerable to the nation. Yes, loyalty to the president is important and fundamental but it is only to the extent that the president acts in the interest of the nation. If for instance the president tells the chief of staff to arrange serious problems, such as framing, against a political opponent and he carries out the order, that he did the act in loyalty service to the president would not exonerate  him of criminal liability.

If the president orders the Chief of Staff to carry out an  act which is in breach of the constitution, the chief of staff has a duty to put the national interest first and refuse to carry out the presidential directive. History is replete with abuse of presidential powers, from Nixon to Obasanjo. So we cannot take it for granted that the president will always act in the National interest. 

The Chief of Staff sits in the Federal Executive Council. That is a powerful and strategic national appointment. So Professor Gambari owes Nigerians a duty to ensure that the president does not put his personal interest above national interest. That is at the heart of the presidential oath of office and oath of allegiance. The president is not the nation. He is not the state.

I see the role of Professor Gambari as a servant of the nation working in the office of the president. His role as gatekeeper is to ensure that the President is properly guided. And the nation better served. His role entails always guiding the president to do that which is right, and act in a manner that is  in the National Interest.  That is what the nation expects of him.

NB: Abdul Oroh,   is a former  member of the House of Representatives ,  who served as Commissioner for Information, and later, Agriculture in Edo State. A former Executive director of Civil Liberties Organization(CLO), lawyer and journalist, Oroh is a member of The New Diplomat’s Advisory Board.

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp