Every great institution (nation) is the lengthened shadow of a single man. His character determines the character of his organisation (nation) – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Niccolo Machiavelli’s teaching, “the end justifies the means”, is often considered controversial. While some argue that achieving a desirable outcome justifies the use of any means necessary, others believe that the means used to reach a goal should align with moral values and principles.
Machiavelli’s teaching is often associated with political power and has been criticized for promoting ruthless and unethical behaviour in the pursuit of power and control.
Ultimately, the interpretation and acceptance of Machiavelli’s teaching depend on an individual’s ethical and moral principles. This controversial doctrine seems to be gaining currency in our country.
The young Turks heading to the villa at Aso
Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, two-term governor of Africa’s fifth largest economy Lagos is one of the closest followers of President elect Ahmed Bola Tinubu. According to him Governance is not about “clean people”
Governance is not about sainthood. It is about efficiency, performance, and delivery. “You must understand that we should not be looking for saints. All of the allegations that were levelled against him have been either unproven or no evidence offered in support of them but they have run along for a while,” Fashola said of Bola Tinubu and his very controversial past and fortunes.
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Also responding to claims that Tinubu allegedly obtained citizenship of Guinea, Fashola said he was not aware whether Tinubu has dual citizenship.
“I know he carries a Nigerian passport. I don’t know about dual citizenship. I know he resided abroad when he went into exile.
“I don’t know if they gave him American citizenship. What does that have to do with the results of the election? The last time I checked, I think the Nigerian constitution allows you to have dual citizenship. Doesn’t it?” in all fairness the explanation provided by Tinubu’s team makes sense as dual citizenship is no offence in our clime and his public engagement with Guinea is obviously a limited one and should not be of great concern.
Just like Babatunde Raji Fashola , Chief Dele Alake, a top Tinubu aide, when asked about Alpha-Beta on Channels TV. “Does Tinubu own Alpha-Beta?” Alake was asked. “I don’t know, and I don’t care who owns it,” he replied, adding: “As far as I’m concerned, Alpha-Beta is delivering on its objectives and that’s enough for me.” So, like Fashola, Alake believes performance trumps integrity! He even wondered when it became a crime for a bullion van to visit the house of a politician during an election. So we know now what triggered the currency redesign policy.
Says Olu Fasan a visiting scholar at the London School of Economics and BD columnist, “no serious nation decouples integrity from performance” Sadly, neither exists in Nigeria.
Is the end of the flimsy fight against corruption here ?
With this type of mindset and body language from the people that would be calling the shots in a few weeks at the Aso Rock villa , should we be considering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practice Commission dead and buried?.
EFCC is supposed to investigate of all financial crimes including advance fee fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, illegal fund transfers, futures market fraud, contract scam etc.;
The coordination and enforcement of all economic and financial crimes laws, while the ICPC targets corruption in the public sector, especially bribery, gratification, graft, and abuse or misuse of office in the public sector.
There is no way the fight against corruption would progress with the body language of the new captains of the ship. . Are we going into phase of corruption and regression? Time and results would tell. God help Nigeria.
Michael Umogun is chartered marketer with interest in public policy
