“The basic training of public officers often mostly emphasizes monetary approvals and expenditure processes” —Ebuka Onyekwelu
On January 8th, Dr. Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs was asked by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to step aside, following allegations of impropriety with the disbursement of public money. By that, Nigerians saw a scarce decision by the country’s president, to the effect that it would be the first time a serving minister in Nigeria is being suspended in recent memory. The sum of N585 million Naira was alleged to have been approved and disbursed by Dr. Betta to a private account. At the moment, whether a financial crime has been committed is yet to be established. So also, the question of corruption or misappropriation is yet to be ascertained. However, what is clear is that by such payment into a personal account, Dr. Edu simply brought undue attention to herself as a result of questions concerning abuse of public finance disbursement processes, latent financial recklessness as well as potential diversion and misappropriation of public money which are serious financial crimes.
All over the world, the government is a procedural and process-driven establishment. No government official would sign off the disbursement of public money into a private account and not have potentially risked his or her job. So, basic training of public officers often mostly emphasizes monetary approvals and expenditure processes. The other aspect of this training is proper media engagement.
As can be seen from the scandal, not only that it appear as if Mrs. Edu did not take her lessons on monetary approvals and expenditure processes seriously, but apparently, she also does not have a good and robust media engagement for such an important ministry! I am not talking about bribing the media to speak for her. But using the media to make her case, whatever it may be. Much of her activities before now have not been in the public domain. They are only now made public because of the scandal. Funny enough, I suspect, for good reason, that this may yet be the experience of many appointees of the President in the coming months.
While the news of Dr. Betta Edu’s suspension was still being processed, the Anambra State Government led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, announced the suspension of His Royal Highness Igwe Damian Ezeani, Igwe Neni, in what is yet another first in recent memory. This might be the first time a governor in Anambra is suspending an Igwe for conferring chieftaincy title on a worthy son of Anambra State, in this particular instance, on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. Interestingly, just like Dr. Betta, Igwe Ezeani is said to have violated procedures and acceptable processes. According to the letter signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, “We have received confirmed reports that you, as the traditional ruler of Neni, conferred such a phantom chieftaincy title today on one senator Ifeanyi Ubah in violation of the code of conduct and without clearance from the Ministry”. The impression from the letter tends to suggest that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is undeserving of chieftaincy conferment or that he is rarely known and altogether unworthy of such recognition. Therefore, it is not just a case of violation of the code of conduct for traditional rulers, it is also politics. This essentially is the case as Ifeanyi Ubah gears up to squarely challenge Chukwuma Soludo in the next Anambra guber election.
For Dr. Betta, her poor rapport with the media and probably her lack of a credible and competent team or her inability to listen and follow professional and credible counsel ensured her quick slip. For Igwe Ezeani, engrossed in the local politics of Neni, he either lacked good counsel or refused to listen to one. The Igwe is alleged to have bypassed the procedure of Onowu selection in Neni. He is also accused of meddling with an elite women’s group “Iyom” and is also said to have stifled Neni’s youth body. These internal issues are a huge burden on the credibility and public acceptance of the Igwe, leaving him open for possible assault with little or no internal consequences. Yet, it is far more consequential in how the government is seen because of the action taken against the Igwe. It is only intriguing that Dr. Betta Edu and Igwe Damian Ezeani can be suspended on the same day by two different levels of government not only for the same reason but, both committed the same error while leaving their guards completely down.
But for the Anambra State Government, the description of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as “One Senator Ifeanyi Ubah,” like an unknown son of Anambra State, is not only funny but pointless. Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is an illustrious son of Anambra State and he is a well-known public figure and a serving senator. There is no basis under which it is appropriate for him to be so described.
As of now, the political mileage suspending an Igwe for conferring a chieftaincy title on a serving Anambra State senator for the governor or APGA, is still doubtful. At best, such an advantage does not exist. Instead, it is to the governor’s disadvantage as such action, though within the governor’s powers, is generally conceived of as highhandedness, arrogance, and an abuse of the traditional institution.
The state government in the case of the suspended Igwe should be more circumspect, to prevent a situation where future governors will rely on a “code of conduct” for traditional rulers in Anambra, to throw the state into chaos by suspending Igwes suspected to be fraternizing with opposition. As for Betta, President Tinubu has many points to make and it is not likely that such mistakes committed innocently as a result of oversight or deliberately with intentions to steal can be condoned.
Ebuka graduated with a second-class upper-division degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Political Science with a specialization in Government and Development Studies from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria. His academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of political dynamics and governance issues.
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One comment
obi stanley
January 10, 2024 at 3:26 pm
Well articulated