Festus Keyamo, SAN
In the recent times, a renowned social crusader, Festus Keyamo (SAN) faced adverse criticisms over his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari; first as a board member of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). And recently, the legal luminary was announced as the spokesperson of the President Buhari Reelection Campaign Organization which some conceived as a betrayal of the masses. From their inferences, Keyamo prioritized egotism; abandoning the Nigerian masses he has over two decades fearlessly represented their interests.
In their calculations, Keyamo, archetype of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), the deceased ‘senior advocate of the masses’ (SAM) ought not to have anything to do with appointment in government let alone to serve as the arrowhead of President Buhari’s reelection bid. By the appointment as the spokesperson, Keyamo will be championing the reelection bid of President Buhari. Candidly, a cursory look at attitudes of several activists in the past that abandoned the masses after taking up appointments will also logically frown at Keyamo’s two appointments in the present administration.
Incidentally, one must not be judged by the lifestyles of others. Without a doubt, this is a testing ground for Keyamo but obviously premature to make conclusions. The other side of the coin is that Keyamo who is incontrovertibly sound, altruistic and proficient with positive thinking is now partly in the government; thus, a good representation of the voiceless in the government. The second is that right from inception of the present administration; Keyamo has consistently stood by President Buhari’s anti-graft battle and thus, no drift by his acceptance. Moreover, the NDIC which Keyamo is a board member has so much to do with the masses welfare being the depositors’ insurer. Inarguably, Keyamo has consistently advocated for reelection even before President Buhari declared to re-contest contending that all the progresses put in place so far may end back at square one if they are not consolidated by reelecting the President.
Is there hardship in the country even more pathetic than in the 16 years of PDP; emphatically yes. Are the masses truly suffering; the answer is equally yes. However, it is needless to note all over again that most part of the period, the nation’s only revenue; crude oil was in boom until middle of the immediate past administration which led that government to rely and exhaust the reserved funds from the oil boom, and later resorted to loans for recurrent expenditures which is an index of economic recession. Notwithstanding the quagmires, there is obviously hope of economic progression in the nation.
A critical evaluation of the policies of the present administration requires no soothsayers to have confidence in the nation. Keyamo’s appointment therefore points to a desideratum and paradigm shift in governance. A leading light that has carved a niche and comfortably pays his bills deserves encomiums for taking the appointments which undeniably will divide his concentration. Ditto on President Buhari for assigning responsibilities to people with antecedents. More importantly, Keyamo embodies the new generation alongside skilled-class in politics rather than the usual politicians with no other means of livelihood or experiences. Keyamo must not imitate Fawehinmi to the extreme who vowed not to serve in any government except elected as president and ended up as the best president Nigeria never had. Eventually, his good dreams for the country passed on with him.
As for Keyamo’s possible compromises; that’s a case of one counting the chickens before they are hatched. The hard truth is that more gurus are required in government circles to bring in their ideas towards the needed change while others remain outside to strike a balance as a good many has distinguished themselves in checkmating excesses of governments. Indeed, if all those with experiences stay away from government to be spectators and critics, the most that could happen is the usual holding governments to ransom but without proffering meaningful solutions for value. Keyamo as a board member will undoubtedly add value to NDIC and its operations.
Then, as the spokesperson of the reelection bid, apart from bringing some level of etiquette and decorum in politics, Keyamo stands in a good position to attract the professional class into politics. President Buhari should be commended for partnership with such resourceful persons; professionals that can give good directions. As a matter of fact, more professionals like Femi Falana (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and Professor Amuda Kannike (SAN) etc are needed in the political space especially in the Senate. It is absurd to leave the upper chamber for amateurs to occupy while proficient citizens stay back as spectators or critics. The overall essence of bilateral legislature is for maximum productivity but where the same category of people occupies the two chambers, the concept becomes counterproductive.
Umegboro, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja. (07057101974-SMS-only)