WHO SHOULD BE A MINISTER

Mr. President, this is the letter you have been waiting for. In an arena filled with pretenders, a wise leader must seek bold people to tell him the unvarnished truth. What you can do is to quickly log out of the celebration mode and search for lieutenants that will help your dream of how you wish to be remembered after 2015.

I know those who should be your ministers, but, sorry, I will not mention names here for the obvious reason of not being accused of doing a hatchet job. But your burden has already been lightened by Nigerians who have drummed in into your presidential ears the characters you should not allowed near your government. Aggregating the opinions of your citizens, THE PUNCH had also run the “Who should not be ministers” series. A little arithmetic plus a push to berth on the good side of history at the end of your tenure, therefore, should guide you on who should be your ministers. The word ‘minister’, perhaps, has its origin in spirituality. A minister, in spirituality, is one authorised to conduct religious veneration. For instance, a person empowered to administer sacraments at a mass is a minister. A minister in the Lord’s vineyard, therefore, should be able to administer healing, counseling and offer hope to the congregation. Rapists, drunks and fornicators are not fit for the office.

As it is in religion, so it is politics. A minister in any political dispensation is a high officer of state appointed to tend to the business of governance in a specific department. A minister of state must come to office with clean hands and be ready to tend to the needs of the people and fired at all times by the progress and peace of the collective. The post of a minister is definitely not for the indolent, nor for looters and killers.

Mr. President, please set the criteria to select those who will serve Nigeria with you in the next four years. Nigerians are tired of recycled politicians. No more inept stooges. We knew it, and you have also confirmed that political contractors, answering all manners of appellations, have turned Aso Rock Villa to their homes. They are mounting pressures on you. They are doing the same to your wife. It is not unlikely too that some would have contacted the president’s mother in Otuoke, asking sweet mother to put in a word or two for them. These are expected at this moment, but always remember, in the words of Harry Truman, the 33rd President of US, that the buck stops at your table.

Who then should be your ministers? Mr. President, look beyond the political parties to attract technocrats and professionals who have no godfathers to worship. One reader of THE PUNCH’s “Who should not be a minister” series said “even President Olusegun Obasanjo” gave Nigeria the likes of Obiageli Ezekwesili and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Who are you giving Nigeria? Who you give to Nigeria will determine what you will give to the country. There are thousands of Nigerians who are both competent and love this country out there. It is your duty to form your own dream team.

Sadly, the lists from the state chapters of your party are filled with names of people the citizens considered to be misfits at this period. THE PUNCH series, “Who should not be a minister,” had exposed many of them. There are still others in these lists compiled by self-seeking tin gods in their domains. Most of the nominees are lazy, corrupt, political jobbers, killers, thugs and opportunists who have seen in your government a new avenue to once again desecrate our land. Do not bring them on board.

Mr. President, the moment is here. The gaiety of campaign is over. The euphoria of victory should be tempered. We, the electorate, have discharged our responsibility. We have elected a leader. It is time for the leader to fulfill his promise. Though, one must admit that in the course of your campaign you did not promise anything tangible, beyond the mundane pledges the nation’s politicians had made over the years, yet Nigerians look unto you to give us good service. You promised as much at your inauguration.

In anointing His ministers, God does not consider the mundane characteristics. It is your time to play the Nigeria’s little god. Set your sight at the goal post and select the best strikers. You are the judge now. In 2015, you will be judged. Start defending your case now.