The dilemma of management in a system the place compromise is the forex of the day is that integrity turns into a burden. Those that refuse to bend to the whims of corrupt energy gamers or stand on their rules discover themselves the goal of campaigns to undermine them. This has been the take a look at earlier than the Nationwide Safety Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, prior to now few weeks. But, as soon as once more, his document of service has confirmed to be his best protect. That is the worth to pay for being a person within the enviornment, solely that he’s not there to battle his detractors. His job is one which doesn’t even afford him the luxurious of shifting his gaze away from his goal—those that undermine Nigeria’s safety.
These distractions are, at greatest, a calculated technique to create pressure and systematically goal President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s key males. The futility of this displays within the triumphs the NSA has been recording in nationwide assignments, notably his coordination of the armed forces. The sustained degradation of bandits and terrorists, for example, has compelled them into retreat, whereas stability within the Niger Delta has improved by means of strategic dialogue and session. One other key instance is the latest engagement with Ogoni leaders, which signalled the long-awaited resumption of actions in Ogoniland after years of stagnation. Equally, within the South East, a gradual return to stability is obvious. No person who does his job has the luxurious of partaking in politics.
It’s straightforward to inform those that don’t really know Ribadu’s observe document. He by no means buys into the showmanship that would hold his gaze away from his goal. For this reason it was straightforward for Nigerians to name out the Binance government, Tigran Gambaryan, who had alleged that Ribadu sought a bribe from him and even made a ridiculous declare that the payout was to fund his political ambition. The allegation was met with scepticism and absolute refutation from goal and non-partisan Nigerians—not solely as a result of the accuser lacks a shred of proof but additionally as a result of he essentially misjudged the character of the person he sought to malign.
Ribadu is a reputation synonymous with anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. He has spent many years demonstrating an incorruptible dedication to public service. His popularity is just not constructed on propaganda or media manipulation however on a protracted document of verifiable actions, together with his well-documented rejection of a $15 million bribe from former Delta State Governor James Ibori whereas serving as pioneer Chairman of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC). That second, etched in Nigeria’s anti-corruption historical past, was not an remoted occasion however a mirrored image of Ribadu’s rules.
So, think about believing {that a} man who rejected a $15 million bribe in his 40s—when he was supposedly extra weak—would now solicit a bribe from an worker of a overseas firm throughout a extremely publicised trial with the complete world watching. The absurdity is staggering. Solely the gullible would fall for the determined fabrications of a drowning man whose firm has been caught red-handed sabotaging Nigeria’s monetary safety and infrastructure. Malam Nuhu Ribadu’s document speaks for itself, however as he as soon as stated, “While you battle corruption, corruption fights again.”
Even staunch critics of the federal government have discovered the allegations laughable. Professor Farooq Kperogi, a widely known public mental and an uncompromising critic, put it succinctly: “There’s lots to critique about Ribadu (who amongst us is a saint?), however believing {that a} man who as soon as turned down a literal $15 million money bribe—and who, as a safety knowledgeable, is aware of his phrases will likely be dissected like against the law scene—would casually shake down a detainee for billions and helpfully clarify what the cash is for?”
Kperogi’s evaluation displays the incredulity of discerning Nigerians who perceive the distinction between real whistleblowing and a slipshod try to deflect accountability. What we’re witnessing is just not an exposé of corruption however a determined stunt by an government whose firm, Binance, has been implicated in monetary crimes each in Nigeria and globally. This was why solidarity with Ribadu, even from uncommon quarters, has been swift. The Coalition for Transparency and Financial Reforms (COTER), representing over 250 civil society organisations, categorically denounced the accusations, rolling out Binance’s lengthy historical past of economic misconduct throughout a number of jurisdictions. The corporate, already banned and fined billions of {dollars} in different international locations, is hardly a paragon of credibility.
Notably, one in every of his most up-to-date critics, who attacked him over a remark he allegedly made in 2006, later campaigned for him in 2011 when he ran because the ACN presidential candidate—5 years after the alleged remarks—below the very platform of the particular person he supposedly criticised. This sample is just not unusual; as seen with that girl and lots of who adopted her lead in stirring controversy, these with questionable information usually appear to be the loudest voices in our political panorama in the present day. Their inconsistencies and fixed flip-flopping are acquainted patterns and mustn’t come as a shock—they’re greatest ignored.
The battle forward for Ribadu isn’t these inconsequential makes an attempt at distraction as corruption fights again. The battle is his endurance in resisting the bait from native actors who’ve misjudged his character and search to tug him into pointless controversies. This was made clear in his assertion reacting to an interview by Malam Nasir El-Rufai. Quite than dignifying the claims with a prolonged rebuttal, Ribadu emphasised his concentrate on his nationwide task and his refusal to be drawn into petty media battles. This response typifies his persona as a result of the enemies are usually not those that assume they’re his goal. The enemies are the bandits, terrorists, and their accomplices and enablers who threaten the complete nation.
Finally, Ribadu’s best defence is just not in rebutting these baseless allegations from estranged associates and proxies however within the weight of his personal historical past. His non-response to Malam El-Rufai is impressed by his conviction that the smear marketing campaign towards him is certain to break down below the load of its personal contradictions—simply as others earlier than it have. It is a sturdy message to all.
Mr Leme, a undertaking administration and improvement marketing consultant, writes from Abuja.
