Leadership (Abuja)
Joshua Ojo Uma
17 May 2008
Abuja — The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has called on the administration of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to be brave and probe the last administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in its entirety, following the revelations of the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir el-Rufai at the Senate.
The call became imperative after the former minister stated that all the blunders of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) under him was in respect to direct orders from the former president.
It would be recalled that NITEL, the nation's utility telecommunications company; the only Hilton hotel in Nigeria, and several oil blocks were sold to Transcorp, a company which Obasanjo is believed to be the largest shareholder.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND in Abuja recently, the presiding pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Kubwa, Reverend Joseph B. Eton, said, "The best thing that can happen to this government is to demand that a proper account be given for every government fund and policies by the past government."
He observed that accountability is a divine order which ought to be pursued at all times as a standard, and that any government which could not give account of its deeds while in office had failed the people. Therefore, Nigerians expect the government of President Yar'Adua to give periodical account of their administration, as well as make the past administration to account for its deeds.
He gave kudos to this administration on its efforts at probing the deeds of some key players in the past and present administration, saying that offenders must be prosecuted. "It is proper and divine to seek judgement, it has solid backing from God," he said.
In addition, the cleric warned public office holders to be mindful of what they do while in office, because they will account for it one day. "Though it is true that our judicial process is slow, and that most judgements are banned, we are praying and believing God that, even if the judgements are banned, those involved will equally account for it, if not now, after.
"Every man should be made to take responsibility for his actions. The former FCT minister is a public officer and should be familiar with the procedures in the public service like the issuing of circulars and memos. Therefore, if his claims about Obasanjo's orders are genuine, there must be some sort of documentation. He (el-Rufai) should tender them. In the absence of such documents, it means that Obasanjo did not give such orders as he claims, and he should be held responsible," Rev. Eton said.
In the same vein, the cleric called on church leaders to also probe the various activities in the churches. He further observed that if nothing is done in the churches to curb excesses, some of the things going on in the churches will get out of hand. "Certain issues like finances, policies and the sincerity of those in charge should be probed for transparency and accountability," he said.
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