It is not for nothing that, in the best of democracies all over the world, what one fi nds as the most visible is the strict adherence to the rule of law and conscious internalization of democratic values that largely defi ne relationships within institutions and between individuals.
Determined to face the challenges that tended to undermine good governance, Nigerians, by decisive choice, decided to eff ect a change of leadership orientation for the country when the opportunity presented itself in 2015 Presidential election and elected President Muhammadu Buhari, with the expectations that he would turn things round with his three point agenda. However, while good governance is now taking root, Nigerians are bewildered by what is best describe as the resonation of rule law abuse and impunity in the most unexpected organ of the government. One is here referring to the purported suspension of the Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Professor Usman Yusuf, by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewale, who construed public offi ce as synonymous with personal power and authority, not anything to do with accountability and responsibility. On learning about this paradox, I was seriously worried and felt unjustifi ably put on the defensive.
Here is an administration that we put our all with many that paid the ultimate price to install, somersaulting to the inglorious method of the previous administration, when the President is not only far away but recuperating from serious sickness in London.
Th e minister needs to be tutored that the public service is driven by transparent guidelines that, with emphasis, outlines span of control and responsibility such that no one can suspend whom he has no power to appoint. To this extent, the purported suspension of the executive secretary is nullity as it contravenes and circumvents the law establishing the Scheme and the public service rules.
Th e minister cannot accuse, out of own volition, investigate, suspend and lurk somewhere close to remove whom he did not appoint or have power to appoint. To do that, would entail not only infraction on the appointing authority and persecution on the part of the victim but equally an abuse of the rule of law that he swore to depend. It is worth to note that, sensing the inherent danger, the House of Representatives has called the minister to order.
However, commendable as the call is, it came after Minister has succeeded in ridiculing the people and Government as well as embarrassing the President in many fronts. If the untoward action was intended to be a kite fl own when the President is indisposed, it has to be sanctioned otherwise nepotism that we believe the country has parted ways with will resurface in the administration.
One cannot say the President is infallible. Far from that, it is believed that he can make wholesome, safe and unintended mistake like many people. It therefore appears the appointment of Professor Isaac Adewole is, by inference, one of such mistakes. May the Almighty bring back to us the President, stronger and healthier, to continue leading this country so that it will be better for us and future generations
