They are not certain that the administration would go far enough in ensuring that public perception of officials change. This is one group the President must do everything to bring on board. Sure, all his men could not be made up of reluctant men and women, but he needs some. They are to be encouraged to take up the responsibility for the fatherland.
I look forward to see some of them named to key offices. I cannot wait to see the grimace and disappointment on the faces of professional politicians when the list is out. This is one way forward.
Then, we have the available, but incompetent. These are, in the main, professional politicians who have nothing to offer. They lack academic qualification and even cognate experience. They are to be avoided like lepers confined to their colony. When allowed to come near the scene, they not only exhibit their ignorance, but are wont to corrupt and corrode the system and process. They are always available and quick to point out that they are hands available for hire. The President is well advised to avoid them in the interest of his administration and the country.
The not-so-qualified but irresistible are the godfathers who contributed so much during the electioneering process. They are needed to provide the necessary stability for the government. Some, like lepers, may not be good at milking the cow (that is, in governance), but should be watched closely because they could spill the milk. Where they are not suitable for frontline offices, others that are not so prominent could accommodate them. In the alternative, room could be made for their qualified nominees.
I remember this was the case in the old Oyo State when the late Chief Bola Ige was elected governor in 1979. As soon as he assumed office, he was confronted with what to do with the late Chief Busari Adelakun, popularly called eruobodo. Ige could not have defeated his old secondary school principal, Ven. Emmanuel Alayande who was Chief Awlowo’s preferred candidate at the Unity Party of Nigeria’s primary election, but for Adelakun who mobilised Ibadan delegates for him. Adelakun had no more than the Teachers Grade Two certificate. He was one of those Chief Awolowo called party stewards-doing the odd jobs for the party. He was certainly not qualified to hold any serious office. But, Ige felt indebted to the man and appointed him to the portfolio of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Adelakun loved it. It afforded him the opportunity of receiving isakole from the chiefs and local leaders. He was at home with the Yoruba language and did not have to be bothered by the burdensome English language. It mattered not to him that papers were usually circulated for discussion at the executive council. Adelakun watched out for the political flank.
At a point, he became a pain in the neck for the suave governor. He could not be reined in and did as he pleased. The governor had to do something fast. He reshuffled his cabinet and moved eruobodo to Health. What recommended him for health, no one may know. The movement displeased Adelakun who pronmised to deal with his successor. Olatubosun, a retired Commissioner of Police also from Ibadan who was made the succeeding Commissioner of Local Covernment died only a few weeks after he assumed his new office. Eventually, Ige threw Adelakun out of his government and the coalition of forces to deny the governor a second tterm began to take shape. President Buhari needs solomonic wisdom to tackle such problems.
The giddy events of the past week have shown that the All Progressives Congress chain has many weak points. As feared by many of us when the party was being put together, it was too easy to mobilize people to flush out the Jonathan administration because it had become the worst in the history of Nigeria. But, there were no connecting principles. Anyone who half as indicated interest in fighting the Peoples Democratic Party was offered a prominent place in the APC. It was predictable that the tendencies would have to slug it out at some point. That point came after election when the spoils of electoral war had to be shared. It became the moment of the long knives. Rebels arose within against the decision of the party, and, as Afonja found support from Alimi, the Fulani warrior in Ilorin against Alaafin Aole, a budding faction of the party sold out to the PDP and raised the party to life.
The President should watch out. No one could say categorically the role President Buhari played in the game. The truth will be out one day. But, he ought to watch out that the ground on whaich he is laying the foundation of his government is not mere sand. Anyone who understands politics would not encourage subversion of the party. In the next few days or weeks, the colour of his government will emerge and it will be clear if he is being guided by any principle or has simply been overwhelmed by some party men.
It is my view that he carefully considers the mix of those to work with him. As President Olusegun Obasanjo once said, it is true that governance is for both saints and sinners. But, the mix could make the difference.