By Thomas Peretu
I read with dismay, a report written by one Udeh Daniella in the Vanguard Newspaper dated 30th July entitled Presidential Amnesty Programme Committee and the battle to succeed Dr. Dokubo. The article no doubt makes for interesting reading. The writer, obviously not a citizen of Niger Delta region gave an insight into contentious diatribe of who steps into the shoes vacated by the erstwhile Coordinator, a stiff neck academic. His tenure was shortlived because of the overwhelmingly debilitating tenor of his music. He had regaled us with a dance step too unfamiliar, too alien to be accommodated by the crowd.
Dr. Dokubo was not skillful enough to understand the socio-political dynamics of the universe he found himself thrown into by the wheel of fortune. In addition he lacked the cognitive pathology and indeed the social psycology of these people. Some times fortune smiles on unprepared persons.
Doctor was too far insulated within the confines of the Ivory tower to keep abrest with the acculturation expected of him. He was acutely deficient not in terms of academics but with regard to re-invent himself in the new milieu
The writer went as as touting the names of some key contenders in the race to succeed the suspended coordinator, Dr. Dokubo, a research fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, whose tenure was riddled with controversy was eased out of office graciously.
There is no doubt that the report was a searching analysis of the situation on ground, I do not however, share in some of the sentiments expressed therein. It is true that the interventionist agency has experienced high turn over of its helms men, so far five coordinators in its 11 years chequered history. Not an enviable record, you would agree. I also side with the writer when she stated that there has been a fierce battle within and without to always unseat the incumbent leader for obvious reasons.
One draw back of the article was the writer was not bold enough to tell us the content of the recommendation by the committee set up by the National Security Adviser, General Munguno whose portfolio it is to superintendent over the agency. How come she knows about those who submitted their cvs to the President and the NSA?
It is obvious, the analysis was skewed in favour of one of the front line contenders for the position of special adviser to the President and Presidential Amnesty Progrsmme coordinator. Otherwise why would writer tell us about the credentials of of the Col. Abel aformer the chief of staff Major-General Boroh who was also shuffled out of the agency by the President. Abel, she said is a special assistant to the deputy president of the senate.
I say this because the writer made frantic efforts to sidestep the obvious enviable track record of Major-General Barry Ndiomu (rtd).
How else would you explain the deliberate attempt to circumvent the robust achievements a man who served the nation with candour and without blemish. How would you say, little is known of a man whose sterling records in the Army is the envy of his colleagues; a man who was a crown jewel in the army.
Major-General Ndiomu is a refined gentleman and office whose moral rectitude stands like a shining armour. His integrity and firmness hold him out as champion, a true son of the soil. You cannot abridge his robust record of service to his fatherland. His untainted character is a good score card to anchor our sales pitch.
It is on record that he served meritoriously as the Garrison Commander, Nigerian Army Headquarters and at various times, he was the Chief of Training and Operations besides other sensitive positions he held before he pulled out of service about three years ago. Major-General Barry, I believe is the most suitable to occupy that position now especially at this critical times of our history when the need to build bridges of understanding across our dividing lines has become a non negotiable agenda.
We need a patriotic gentleman with scruples to take over the job, not merely on the grounds of political affiliations but for the undeniable reason of competence, confidence and candour.
Major-General Ndiomu is the most qualified of the lot to calm the frayed nerves of the militants because he understands their feelings and their position on issues of ecology and marginalisation.
He was born here therefore he knows the chemistry of the land it people. That hot seat is not beyond his Ken given his military background and discipline. Without fear of contradiction, I stand tall to recommend Major-General Barry Ndiomu as the next PAP coordinator.
I therefore call on president Buhari to appoint our son our brother, Major-General Barry Ndiomu to the position of PAP coordinator and special adviser to the President on amnesty.
