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Saturday, 03 October 2009 07:52 |
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Page 1 of 2 This article attempts to respond to the editorial piece of Dr Reuben Abati, its examines the role of the Nigerian media and explores the haste in which General Obasanjo is being impugned. It compares the investigative role of the American press and wonders why the Nigerian press has not risen to such heights.
In the past few months I have observed in the media developing mass hysteria of the salivating kind. These appear to be bordering on self indulgent claims and ounter claims of the tabloid variety on the scale of corruption and abuse of process during General Obasanjo’s administration. It would be very comfortable and cause much more ease for me to join the bandwagon, subjecting the General to some more abuse for his alleged sins. Yet it may be considered presumptions for one residing in the safety and comfort of the ‘abroad’ to venture comments on a topic such as this. Another presenting angle is that those of the military persuasion might even suggest that one is definitely off his rocker for
daring to suggest such a title to the article. For they might argue that the defence of a General of the Nigerian Army who has served thrice as Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces is one beyond my competence, legal or otherwise. The casual but informed observer may query whatever nuance or angle to the issue of his defence can one hope to marshal.
I must confess that my near suicidal quest for defence of the purportedly indefensible is prompted by Dr Reuben Abati’s recent piece titled of 21 st March 2008, ‘The trial of Obasanjo.’ Dr Abati, whom I respect as a foremost journalist with the ability to bring life to even the mundane of issues. He remains in many respects, a star of his generation. He may yet win the equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize; however, in this instance I fear he may be guilty of indecent haste.
For those of us that speak and give life to it through writing owe a duty of care to our audience. This duty may be broken down into the following:
· to speak the truth always;
· to listen to others and;
· to debate difficult issues honestly and openly. [1]
We retain our credit when we speak not simply because we have the space and the tools to do so but when we use our privilege to speak truth to power.
Returning to the Dr Abati’s editorial which appears to be based upon the ongoing investigation into the power sector during part of the Obasanjo years. In a style reminiscent of the supposed £2.8 million NNPC scandal championed by the late esteemed Prof Awojobi, Dr Abati would seem to have arrived at a number of conclusions. One fact I remember was that £2.8 million was an elaborate hoax. But before the hoax was revealed by a commission of inquiry the reputations of Obasanjo and Buhari has already been impugned.
One of the conclusions drawn by my learned Dr Abati is that the General is guilty of misadventures among other things. The lesser minds without any benefit of legal training might recall that the ongoing legislative investigation has neither reached a definitive conclusion nor been subjected to proper scrutiny. None of the principal ‘accuseds’ have had an opportunity to rebut or put their case before the House. The learned doctor, therefore, I dare suggest may by his editorial be playing a more sinister game, pre-empting the results of an enquiry before its conclusion. This I would consider a serious sin for a fine legal mind. It is similar to the ongoing ‘Princess of Wales inquest’ in United Kingdom, To equate the various conspiracy theories mentioned in proceedings, supposedly based on facts and then supplant them as definitive conclusions.
The learned Dr Abati seems concerned that when Obasanjo was in power he treated the press with disdain, he states:
"President Obasanjo not only called journalists names in official speeches, he even once declared that he does not read Nigerian newspapers!"
Some may ask is the Nigerian press that unworthy? I would dare to explore this question by asking that in the midst of the many corrupt practices in Nigeria over the past 48 years what role has the press played in revealing any? While one recalls the role the American Press during Watergate sandal, you may note that it was not the legislature that discovered the scandal, it was the press.
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