Jonathan's First Month

President Jonathan went into May 29 on a mixed note-positively he signed the Freedom of Information, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Money Laundering and 2011 Appropriation Acts. Unfortunately he couldn’t persuade the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). He made only two appointments on his first day in office-the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim and National Security Adviser (NSA), Lt. Gen Andrew Owoye Azazi. While Anyim’s appointment resonated politically (especially with Ohaneze Ndigbo), it was less optimal for policy and governance. I consider Azazi’s re-appointment an excellent decision. It was perplexing that Jonathan made only those two appointments for one whole month!

At the very least, an executive presidency in a complex country like Nigeria should have named at least an inner core-Chief of Staff (which doesn’t require Senate confirmation); Spokesman; National Assembly Liaison; Political Adviser; and Senior Policy Adviser. The president could have named them as personal aides until the National Assembly resolution authorising the number of Special Advisers. This vacuum in the presidency was at least partly responsible for the debacle of government’s embarrassing defeat in the race for House of Representative Speaker, which reflected the absence of a political/policy/strategy team. A proactive strategy team would have zoned SGF position to South-West and Speaker to South-East rather than the unsustainable policy adopted and even then a strong governance core could still have persuaded the representatives to be on the same page with Aso Rock.

The president’s reaction to “Boko Haram” (BH) bombings on inauguration day and
afterwards culminating in the audacious attack on the Abuja police headquarters has been hardly re-assuring! I wonder the point intended with the statement about terrorism being a global phenomenon that could happen to anyone!!! Government’s job is to confront and defeat it, not to suggest its inevitability!!! Eventually when some days ago the president got around to saying “enough is enough”, I doubt the pronouncement had much credibility with most Nigerians. I suspect there has been some transition within BH that has resulted in better logistics capabilities, deeper intelligence, higher funding and increased sophistication. The “new” bold BH is certainly operationally different from the one that fired from “okadas” in Maiduguri! Government must investigate what factors (and people) supervised and financed this transformation!!!

The president’s cabinet choices have also been mixed. Markets, reformers and international partners would have been excited by reports of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s inclusion. Is Omobola Johnson in or out? If Okonjo-Iweala, Aganga and Dr Shamsudeen Usman are in the team, what will be the allocation of roles amongst them? I am pleased with Professor Barth Nnaji’s nomination and I urge Nigerians to tell the electricity workers opposed to his nomination to shut up! The continuity in National Planning is probably optimal given Usman’s supervision of the Vision 2020 process. I however intend to scrutinize his proposed law on Vision 2020 implementation VERY CAREFULLY as it seems to contain elements seeking to constrain economic policy and development in states and local governments based on federal government dictation.

I believe the president made some good reappointments-Professor Ruquayatu Rufai in education; Muhammed Bello Adoke; as Attorney General and Justice Minister; and Emeka Wogu at Labour. Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu may have also tried, but going-forward he should be even handed between doctors and other health sector professionals, and I believe the National Health Bill should be amended in this regard. The re-appointment of Mrs Dieziani Allison-Maduekwe as petroleum minister was bound to be controversial given the allegations peddled relentlessly in the media against her. Thus far quite frankly, it has been impossible to tell whether the stories reflect truth or blackmail. It is good to observe the nomination of Jumoke Akinjide-a first class lawyer whose education and experience includes Kings College London, a Harvard LLM, excellent legal practice especially as an expert energy lawyer and solicitor and a stint as ex-President Obasanjo’s special assistant on FCT. I think the president made two other excellent selections-Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru, a splendid fit for foreign affairs and Dr Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina, an agricultural expert of global repute.

The other cabinet choices appear mostly like political pay-offs-PDP Acting Chairman Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed; Princess Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi; Elder Godsday Orubebe; PDP Auditor Samuel Ortom; Hajiya Zainab Maina etc. The nominations of Bolaji Abdullahi and Tonye Cole reflect the growing influence of governors in Nigeria’s politics. I expect the touted appointment of Dr Reuben Abati in place of Ima Niboro as presidential spokesman to put some coherence and strategy into the government’s communication approach! The process of cabinet appointments has drawn attention to the emerging absurd demarcation between “technocrats” and politicians seeking government appointment. I suggest we focus on competence, commitment and integrity instead!!! The process has also entrenched a peculiarly Nigerian route to federal offices-state (in effect governors’) nominations; SSS clearance; and the loss of presidential discretion. The process may also reinforce the emerging marginalisation and abandonment of the South-West (some of it self-inflicted!) at the federal level.

Overall this regime’s character remains unclear and President Jonathan is yet to stamp his authority on the emerging cabinet and government.