Ezekwesili’s Challenge – By Arnold A. Alalibo

Posted by admin Arnold Alalibo, Articles, Columnists, NNP Columnists Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

By Arnold A. Alalibo / NNP / March 4, 2013 – Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Vice President of the World Bank and ex-Minister of Solid Minerals and Education, was in the news recently over her challenge to the Federal Government to account for N45 billion in foreign reserve account and another N22 billion in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) saved from increased earnings from oil which her former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo left behind. The call came at the 42nd convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria, (UNN) Nsukka, where the former minister was invited to deliver a lecture. Expectedly, the issue raised dust because it is characteristic of the average Nigerian to respond with acerbity when asked to give account or when his transparency is called to question.

Ezekwesili specifically accused the regime of late President Yar’Adua and the current administration of President Goodluck Jonathan of squandering the stated amount with no evidence of their proper utilisation. The former World Bank Vice President observed that despite the prodigious sums left by the Obasanjo regime, no development could be seen in any sector of the nation’s life. Thus, she asked, “where did all that money go? “Where is the accountability for the use of these resources? “Were these resources applied or more appropriately, misapplied?” These and other queries were raised by the woman once regarded as one of the cream in Obasanjo’s cabinet.

However, and anticipatorily, the former minister’s enquiry raised intense discussions and rattled the Jonathan administration. It was swift and combative in its reaction. The spokesman of the government and Information Minister, Mr Labaran Maku, fired salvoes at the accuser, describing her claims as “curious, outlandish and fictitious.”

Then, he reeled out figures to substantiate the government’s own side of the story contradicting Ezekwesili’s case. Surprisingly, Maku put off his gauntlet and admitted that since the exit of President Obasanjo, the nation’s foreign reserves had witnessed some variations. Regardless of the federal government’s denials, Ezekwesili withstood her ground and challenged the government to a public debate which it promptly declined.

In a system where sanity prevails and where accountability and transparency are taken for granted, the former World Bank boss’ assertions would not have ignited needless indignation and the name-calling that attended the allegation. Given the status of the woman as one who had served in Obasanjo’s cabinet and very knowledgeable about the Nigerian economy, I believe her observations were made in good faith. Besides, it is unthinkable that a woman of this standing would make uninformed claims in this respect knowing full well her proximity to the performance of the nation’s economy then.

Eminent Nigerians as well as financial institutions both within and outside the country had expressed similar fears about the failure of past and present administrations to utilise effectively monies realised from excess sale of crude oil. Such monies which ought to be used to enhance productivity nay the economy, usually end up causing additional sorrow to the average Nigerian. The N12.4 billion Gulf War windfall which the nation earned under military President Ibrahim Babangida is a case in point. The whereabouts of that money remains a mystery till date.
So, if the government considered Ezekwesili’s claims as weighty and with grave implications, the best way to respond was not to politicise it. Rather, the government should have furnished curious Nigerians with hard facts, beyond the ones provided by her.

In this matter, a dispassionate view, tempered by courteous language should have been the best approach. Government is not the property of an individual. Much as it holds in trust the right of the citizens, this does not include the right to voice their opinions. If a government is accused in a subject of this nature, the appropriate thing to do is to act responsibly, not being surly.

If indeed Ezekwesili’s assertions are right, then the federal government has a case to answer in the people’s court. Certainly, there is no gain saying the fact that these grave accusations are an indictment . Conversely, if the government thinks the monies were properly applied, where is the evidence? Has the education sector improved? Do we have functional infrastructure? What about our health institutions? Are they better than they were before the alleged misappropriation?

Similar actions of various governments in the country either go unnoticed or not questioned. We have always been highly indebted in loans to both local and international creditors with nothing to show for them. Unfortunately, these loans are often repaid with monies that could provide basic amenities for the average Nigerian and better his life.

I think the most credible thing to do in the circumstance is for the federal government to accede to the challenge by the ex-minister to a public debate. This will afford Nigerians the opportunity to examine all the facts thoroughly and determine the truth. Until this is done, Ezekwesili’s challenge remains an enduring issue awaiting clarification.wp_posts