Tinubu Blasts Kachikwu, Calls Him Flippant“ as “Kachikwu’s flippancy was out-of-line. He was basically telling
Nigerians that they should be lucky that they are getting the inadequate
supply they now suffer… ”
Apparently appalled by his seeming lack of empathy and manifest
arrogance, a former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the
All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, lampooned Ibe Kachikwu,
Minister of State, Petroleum, for telling Nigerians that he “was not
trained as a magician”, a reference to the lingering fuel scarcity that
appears to be defying efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation, NNPC.
Tinubu, who is not known for flippancy, wondered why a public servant
would talk down on those he was meant to serve, charging: “Kachikwu’s
flippancy was out-of-line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they
should be lucky that they are getting the inadequate supply they now
suffer and that they should just be quiet and endure the shortage for
several weeks more”.
The ten paragraph statement, titled: “KACHIKWU NEEDS TO KNOW THAT
RESPECT AND GOOD PERFORMANCE WILL DO WHAT MAGIC CANNOT”, dripping with
venomous pillory, nevertheless, attempted to inspire hope that, whereas
tough times were here, “we must all realize that they would be even
harder and much darker would be the immediate horizon had we allowed the
venal, kleptocracy of the PDP to continue to lord over the land solely
for their selfish benefit and not for the common good.”
The APC leader went on: “I am confident that President Buhari and
this government can resolve the issues that press us. From establishing
full security and safety to staking a claim to true economic prosperity
and fairness, this government shall salvage our national pride and
purpose”.
Tinubu’s statement reads:
“1.The art of governance is difficult and complex, especially during
trying times. The steep reduction in global oil prices from over 100
dollars per barrel to roughly 40 presents a hard challenge. We can no
longer afford past practices. Nigeria now requires creative reform,
materially changing the substance of national economic policy as well as
the objectives of that policy and how the policy is presented to the
people. Therein lies the essence of progressive democratic governance.
“2.The Buhari administration represents the last best hope we have to
install such governance in Nigeria and avert the catastrophe that would
have befallen us had the prior government remained in place. Had the
nation continued with the spendthrift corruption and vagabond economic
policies of that administration, we would have soon experienced such a
collision with the harsh consequences of that government’s malign ways
that our very institutions of government may have been distorted beyond
fixture and repair.
“3.In this effort, there may be no economic matter more difficult to
unravel and more sensitive to the purse of the average person than the
current fuel scarcity. Even here I am confident of progress because I
know the commitment of the president to resolving this matter. I make no
attempt to hide it. I am an avid and partisan supporter of this
government and of the progressive policies of the party, the APC, upon
which this government is based.
“4. With that I do reserve the right and the duty as a Nigerian to
voice my opinion when I believe a member of this government has strayed
from the progressive calling required of this administration. I do this
because my greater devotion and love are for this nation and its people.
Party and politics fall secondary.
“5.Much public ire has been drawn to the statement made by minister
of state Ibe kachikwu that he was not trained as a magician and that
basically Nigerians should count themselves fortunate that the NNPC
under his stewardship has been able to bring in the amount of petrol
fuel it is currently doing.
“6.Perhaps the statement by Kachikwu was made in a moment of
unguarded frustration or was an awkward attempt at a joke. Whatever the
motive, it was untimely and off-putting. The remark did not sit well
with the Nigerian people; they were as right to feel insulted as the
Minister was wrong to have said such a thing. The fuel shortage is
severely biting for the average person. They are forced to remain in
lines far too long, for too much time, to pay too much money for too
little fuel. This is no joking matter. Livelihoods and people’s welfare
are at stake. With so much on the line, Kachikwu’s flippancy was
out-of-line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they should be
lucky that they are getting the inadequate supply they now suffer and
that they should just be quiet and endure the shortage for several weeks
more.
“7.Kachikwu’s intervention was unhelpful. It panicked and
disappointed the public as to the duration of the crisis. It insulted
the people by its tonality. He spoke with the imperious nature of a
member of the elitist government the people voted out last year and
not the progressive one they voted in. Kachikwu must be reminded that he
was not coerced to take this job. He accepted the job and its
responsibilities knowingly. He also must remember that he does not own
NNPC. This also is not a private company that owes nothing to the public
except the duty of fair dealing. He is a public servant. The seat he
sits upon is owned by Nigerians not by him. The company he runs is owned
by Nigerians not by him. They are his boss. He is not theirs. Power is
vested in the people. He is a mere custodian or agent of their will. In
talking to us in such a manner, he committed an act of insubordination.
If he had talked so cavalierly to his boss in the private sector, he
would have been reprimanded or worse. If wise, the man should refrain
from such interjections in the future.
“8.As his ultimate bosses, the people have a right to demand the
requisite performance and respect from him. He should apologize for
treating them so lightly in this instance. His portfolio being a
strategically important one, he needs to reestablish the correct
relationship with the public. They no longer feel he is working for
their optimal benefit as their servant. Instead, he seems to be standing
above them, telling them to take it or leave it. For his policies and
stint in office to be successful and a help to this government, he must
have the support and belief of the people at this tough time. He must
talk to them in a way that they believe he seeks their best interest and
understands the hardship weighing upon them. He must ask them to work
with him and perhaps to endure a bit longer but with the knowledge that
he is working to resolve this matter as fast as he can and as
permanently as possible. That he is dedicated to the position that once
these current lines are gone that never again shall they reappear as
long as he has any influence in the matter. To do this, requires no
magic nor training in that strange craft. It requires empathy,
compassion and the willpower to forge a better Nigeria. These must be
the common trademarks of those serving in a progressive government for
these attributes are integral parts of the spirit and ideals upon which
the APC was founded. Upon such notions was this administration voted
into office by the Nigerian people in the operation of their sovereign
will to seek a national leadership that would pursue their interests to
the utmost and give them every fair chance to live in a better Nigeria.
“9.Even though times are hard we must all realize that they would be
even harder and much darker would be the immediate horizon had we
allowed the venal, kleptocracy of the PDP to continue to lord over the
land solely for their selfish benefit and not for the common good.
“10. I am confident that President Buhari and this government can
resolve the issues that press us. From establishing full security and
safety to staking a claim to true economic prosperity and fairness, this
government shall salvage our national pride and purpose.
Credit: Breakingtimes
“Let all of us, in and out, of government never forget this. If we
adhere to this remembrance, we shall see that magic will not be needed
to bring the progress we seek.
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