Mixed Grill

A popular Nigerian adage has it that, “if a child does not ask of what killed the father, that same thing may also kill the child”.  Much has been said about the report of the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission now known as the Eso Panel which many say may have indicted former Governor Peter Odili and some former top government functionaries. But my concern here is on what lessons should be learnt from the experiences of the past even as it affects others who yesterday called the shots and talked tough.

Though the full report and the recommendations of the panel is yet to be made available to the public, it is clear that on the destruction of Okuru Ama community where no effort was made by the government then to send relief materials as well as rebuild the place, former governor Odili may have been indicted. Interesting as it may seem, while Odili was being cross-examined, he feigned ignorance on all that took place during that period of madness. It is on record that his 'I don't know', 'am not aware' and 'I can't remember' answers appeared more up to thirty times in the report of the Commission. This is where my problem comes from as a former Chief Security Officer of the State was not able to account for the actions and inactions of those in the corridors of power with him.

There is no doubt that Odili had a retinue of aides who took charge of issues bordering on security while the macabre dance was on-going. Several nocturnal meetings were held with those who were regarded as the masterminds of the cult wars and the crisis that engulfed the state. Money exchanged hands as some of his aides welcomed the crisis situation in order to make big money.

In most cases of kidnap which became highly politicized, those who acted as mediators between the hostage-takers and government raked in millions of Naira as they inflated the ransom by the militants and advised the governor accordingly. They knew that Odili wanted to score cheap political point by showing President Obasanjo that he could effect the release of hostages. It was a period of sycophancy unlike what is obtainable now under President Yaradua.

I remember that during one of the interactive sessions with the media, I told the governor that some of his very close aides were actually aiding and abetting crime. That submission had thrown everyone off balance because no one was bold enough to look the governor eyeball to eyeball and say it even when it was a known truth by most of those present in the hall including the Commissioners then. Of course, Odili admitted my report and promised to seriously look into the matter.

I am not here to defend the former governor whose generosity cannot be rivaled, but the truth is that his 'I don't know' answer may not be a sudden amnesia he developed according to the Chairman of the Panel, the very revered Justice Kayode Eso with an untainted record. Odili's major problem was that he allowed himself to be caged by the very people he sought to lead as the Chief Security Officer. He was made to depend on their intelligence report without any effort to ascertain the truth albeit independently.

He had no real access to the people he governed. Odili lived more like an emperor and allowed his aides who were only after how much they could grab to run the state, if not, how could the former Secretary to the State Government do the things he was reported to have done.

The cash-for-Arms deal was one of such cases where the former governor dolled out millions of Naira to his aides thinking that they were actually mopping up Arms from the society. I also remember that on one occasion, I sought to inform the governor that there were confirmed reports that his Chief Security and the Commissioner in charge were not actually mopping up Arms, rather they were buying disused Arms for the price of serviceable AK-47 guns. Again, he was not in touch with the reality. They cowed him into depending on them for information, so he was not in-charge!  My findings helped him as he stopped the funds approved for the arms deal. That of course did not go down well with those who took advantage of human lives to make money.

This is what Amaechi needs to know that he does not have to depend on his aides for information. Thank God that he started well. Gov. Amaechi endeared himself to the hearts of the people in his days as Speaker because he was accessible to the people and could ascertain the truth at any given point in time.  He also understood that in politics, there is so much backbiting and gossip, so he never relied on hearsay.

Well, most of those who served under Gov. Peter Odili are still very much around Gov. Amaechi's government. Let us not celebrate Odili's indictment as we must learn from his mistakes so as not to tread this path again.

Gov. Amaechi was in touch with everyone but methinks that some persons who want to recycle the Odili days are not comfortable with that. They prefer to be the only access points to the man who prefers to live his life as a humble ordinary citizen rather than enjoy the paraphernalia of government.

I join millions of other friends and well wishers of yours, to ask you not to fall to the whims and caprices of desperate persons who want to remain relevant and powerful in government so that someday, you don't answer questions like Odili who did not know what his aides did.

 More revelations yet to come in this column next week. Keep a date with me while I receive your reactions.

back to top^^