With the hoopla from the recently unearthed large scale sleaze from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) and its concomitant obstreperous cacophony, one thing I’ve observed, very keenly is the adroit adept application of some rules of the best-seller book by renowned Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power. The spinners, while jettisoning Rule 26 which states that, ‘Keep Your Hands Clean’, and which invariably implies if you must do anything untoward, get others to do it on your behalf so you do not take the blame went straight for the jugular of their adversary.
These desperados went straight for Rule 39 which states that you, ‘Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish’. By implication, the rule suggests that you create chaos to take advantage of the opportunity it provides. Of course, people’s attention will be diverted and their focus will be off the major problem at hand which overtly is what is obtainable now in the case involving the suspended former Head, Nigeria Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). And truth remains they will stop at nothing as they might have learnt from Rule 3 to always, _*Conceal Your Intentions*_. This affords you the opportunity to always lead people astray when it comes to your intentions. They will hardly realize your plans too soon.
Their desperation has finally led them to apply Rule 15 so quickly. What does Rule 15 say? It says, _*’Crush Your Enemy Totally’*_. And who is the enemy here? Of course, Betta Edu. They believed they had the chance, hence, their decision to ‘destroy’ her completely with phantom, far-from-reality and unfounded fraud allegation. Robert Greene suggested that you show your enemy no mercy, so that they’ll be less likely to try to cross you in the future. This aptly captures the current campaign of calumny against the person of Dr. Betta Edu.
If the analogy were not to be, how come then it was possible for somebody alleged to have peculated a whopping sum of N30bn, stashed in several private accounts within few weeks of her appointment now spined the story such that N3bn was thereafter the major talk-of-the-town while the public speaks less of her humongous and esurient ‘annihilation of our common wealth’? Such spin needs be studied at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom or Harvard Business School in the United States. I shudder when people turn logic on its head. They have practically turned the attention solely on the Minister. Some have even almost turned it to an ethnic thing – North vs South. I wonder how many Southerners defended Dr. Abati, Sen. Obanikoro, Amb. Ayo Oke (the NIA man) among others during the #DasukiGate experience.
To think President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former auditor of high repute, trained by one of the best audit firms in the world – Deloitte would allow such shenanigans is to undermine his intelligence and his resolve to right the many wrongs bedeviling us a people. Meanwhile, Betta Edu, through her aide, Rasheed had said she got approval for the Grants for the Vulnerable Group (GVG) fund moved into a personal account. As a man with financial background, a former auditor with 10-year audit experience, I can say authoritatively that it is not the duty of Betta Edu as a minister to put in internal control mechanisms. That overtly falls within the purview of both the Accountant-General of the Federation and Auditor-General for the Federation. If both officers or their offices through which the payment was made did not raise any objection, why should Edu take the fall? The last time I checked, I remember, Betta Edu as a Minister does not have such powers as to open official account other than the statutory recognized accounts – salary, overheads and revenue (where necessary).
Nigerians should not forget that there were several attempts in recent past to move the Nigeria Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation since the appointment of Dr. Betta Edu as the substantive minister. Whatever the reason (s) was/were is/are known to the proponents of such idea. We must also not forget that a group thinks the Ministry is exclusive to certain part of the country and Edu did not qualify or deserve to head the Ministry. Hence, their concerted efforts to fight her to stand still.
I am not in any way supportive of sleaze in whatever form. After all, I have not sat down with Edu on one-on-one. However, I think it is what I owe my fatherland – to speak objectively as much as possible. We have a country to build. Those who were angered on the appointment of HM Nyesom Wike as the FCT Minister are equally part of those involved in the current smear campaign against the personage of the Honourable Minister, Dr. Betta Edu. And I do not see them back down soon on their ‘Pull Her Down’ (PhD) jiggery-pokery. But the good news here is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR does not give in to emotions. As a financial guru that he’s, if he notices any infringement, he will not hesitate to f!re her. Meanwhile, where is the proof that Dr. Betta Edu stole N3bn? Their attempts are feckless and will remain so. My only advice to these meddlesome interlopers is that they should stop beating a dead horse! Ẹ j’ogun ó mí o.
*OMOGBOLAHAN L.A BABAWALE (O’CZAR)*
Public Affairs Analyst
Convener, The Think-Tinubu Initiative (3TI)
Member, Defunct APC PCC PRS
Abuja
[email protected]
