In societies with established system of values there is usually the principle of collective responsibility, which demands that you do not openly criticize the government that you are part of. On that basis, Agwai might have been the victim of his own making
The Presidency early this week relieved the Sure-P Chairman, Gen.Luther Martin Agwai of his job, for what presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, referred to as restructuring the programme for better performance. If the reasons advanced by the presidency are to be taken as sacrosanct, that would be a serious indictment on the retired Armed Forces Service Chief. But a school of thought believes the statement claiming that Agwai’s removal was nothing short of vendetta for his recent public statements, which are seen by the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as being disloyal and supportive of the opposition..
The General was reported to have called on the military to refrain from being involved in politics, as well as kicked against the deployment of military personnel for electoral duties. And at the birthday party of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, he (Agwai) was quoted as saying that the “change of leadership in the country was inevitable.” Of course, for a political office holder – such as the chairman of Sure-P – the implications of his statements are far too reaching.
In societies with established system of values there is usually the principle of collective responsibility, which demands that you do not openly criticize the government that you are part of. On that basis, Agwai might have been the victim of his own making.
That stated, it is pertinent to note that the administration is seen by many Nigerians as not being too conscious of its intolerance of criticism and opposition. Besides, for the presidency to claim the repositioning of Sure-P (less than two and half months to the end of this administration) as the reason for removing its chairman, amounts to saying that Nigerians are incapable of discerning the tide and times of events. It is rather unfortunate and brings to the fore the question of when leaders will learn to tell Nigerians the truth. More than that, if truly, his removal is associated with his statements, it will make credible Nigerians skeptical of taking government appointments. Recall that Ambassador Christopher Kolade resigned his appointment as chairman of this same Sure-P after querying alleged reckless expenditure of the programme.
The removal of Agwai at this time, certainly, raises the issues of moral values, which are, absolutely necessary in our body polity and governance. More so, as Obasanjo, in whose birthday party Agwai made the statement, is a strong critic of the Jonathan’s administration. On the other hand, Agwai is not justified in calling for leadership change of an administration in which he serves. It is in the light of this that we find the need for Nigerian leaders to put collective interest above their personal convictions and gains.
