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Opinion: Why Do Nigerian Leaders Take Oath Of Office Without Fulfilling Their Promise?
December 19, 2016 – Opinion: Why Do Nigerian Leaders Take Oath Of Office Without Fulfilling Their Promise?
Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago,
‘Do not break your oath, but fulfil to the Lord the vows you have made’. (Matt.5:33)
What has become of Public Office holders and the Oath of office sworn to in Nigeria in the 21st Century Democratic Governance?
Let’s talk of a person elected to the office of a governor, on assuming office, he is required to take the oath of office, and the oath as subscribed to in the 7th schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria read thus in para-phrase: “I, … do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance …, that … I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability faithfully and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, …, that I will strive to preserve the fundamental objectives and Directive Principles of State policy contained in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; … that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that … preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will abide by the code of conduct contained in the fifth schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that …. I will do right to all manner of people; according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will…; and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria.
So help me God”.
That is for the governor of a State; so also every other office holder – including members of parliaments (both Federal and State). They have their own oath of office similar that they swore to.
All these oaths of office have common factors; and very glaring are: (1) affirm to be faithful to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; (2) not to allow personal interest to influence or over-ride their official conduct and decisions (3) to protect and defined the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (4) abide by the code of conduct in the performance of their duties; (5) to do right to all manner of persons (6) to devote self to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria.
Now the questions – the multimillion question, what do we see of our leaders on governance today – from executive to the legislatives to the judiciary? Shall we have to hold some days fasting for our nation Nigeria, for Nigeria to experience a new dawn for a national development? A nation so bless. Retirees cannot be paid their retirement benefits; workers cannot be paid their salaries as and when due. Nigerian leaders do not see anything wrong even as some leaders even brag about it. They live on affluence. What a country!
Some have attributed these actions of governors and others to the immunity in the Nigerian constitution, but to the writer, it is because of the trust bestowed on the leaders due to the oath of office that they took on assuming office. This unfortunately was unblazingly abused, forgetting that it was a serious matter for someone to breach the trust or faith so given him. It is a serious sin that should attract very serious punishment. It was because of betrayal of faith in God and disobedience that the children of Israel were captured and carted away into slavery.
These leaders for breaching the oath to defend the constitution ought to have been deprived of all their assets, whether from ill-gotten wealth or not, and so get all forfeited to the State. Are these people human beings, God knoweth. This brand of leaders do not see anything wrong with what they do; they even brag about it while living in affluence. What a country
Opinion article By J.M.Ovedje, NCE, B.sc/Ed, MBA
iron bar
December 19, 2016 at 5:38 PM
Mr writer,the question should have been why wont that oath of allegiance kill them when they(crooks,polticians,governors,commisioners,ministers and public servants) fall short (steal)of their promises.our lord is so merciful
Big Aunty Koks
December 19, 2016 at 5:59 PM
It is true and very. Obvious in recent times when the elections held did not have any manifesto. All the people were told by Party stalwarts was “Our man XYZ is running for so and so Office. Vote for XYZ,. Heis our man for the post”.
Nobody said what Mr. Or Madam XYZ would do for the people or their Community AND of course XYZ himself or herself made no promises to the people about what he will do upon being elected……… So, here we are as a Nation,….. Left without any promise to hold them to. Hope we learn for future reference though; for the situation is very sad and frustrating!
Omokehinde
December 19, 2016 at 6:01 PM
There are so many reasons why Nigerian elected leaders from local, state, and federal levels take oaths of office and refuse to honor their pledge. The first reason is lack of unity of purpose and bad behavior of Nigerian people and their hatred for each other based on tribalism, religion, and language. Nigeria is so divided in such a way that one section of the nation will rather cast their votes for a criminal, crook,murderer, and looter just because he or she is from their tribe, state or village instead of voting for a sincere candidate. The second reason is the ignorance of majority of Nigerian voters who sell their precious votes for a bag of rice, N2,000, and timbers of yam thereby voting for criminal like Gov. Fayose of Ekiti. When politicians offer you such gifts on election, then don’t ever complain if they refuse to deliver on their promises because both of you are guilty of wrong doing. The 3rd reason is because Nigerian people lack basic education and information of their constitutional rights under Nigerian messy constitution, and they can easily be brainwash by criminal politicians with stolen or looted money from the state and federal treasures. Finally, our arrogant, unpatriotic, heartless, crooked, vagabonds and wicked politicians know that as long as we are divided along lines such as tribalism, hatred, religions differences, cultural differences, and language, they will always have their way to do their evil, continue their loots, and continue to manipulate Nigerian people based on those demonic divisive elements. Nigeria will not see no progress until we are united against our evil politicians and demand for 100% of accountability from all our government officials at all levels of government. Therefore, we are the problem and the enabler of the evil and wicked behavior of our politicians.Please le us examine ourselves and roles.
Marcus Garvey ll
December 19, 2016 at 7:53 PM
Most political leaders have good intention but are not well-versed in global matters. Most do not seem to know, for instance, that the world is run by the business elite, who mostly care about themselves and people within their sphere of interest. Upon being elected and faced with the harsh realities, it is natural that politicians, even those with honest intention, appear like wimps at the slaughterhouse. Furthermore, as Omokehinde indicated, individuals and groups competing selfishly for power and favours easily undermine plans for national development. Moreover, there are too many people who expect governments to rid their lives of poverty, but that is not the role of governments. Introduction of nation-building policies, maintenance of the infrastructure and providing security are the principal functions of an administration.
ade eagle
December 21, 2016 at 12:02 AM
i suggest they start to use OGUN, SANGO, OBATALA, etc bible and Quran wont kill them for failing to fulfil their promises
Joseph
December 31, 2016 at 11:57 AM
Nigerians should do something quickly now to get out of the mess. Also, methink it is high time immunity should be considered removed from the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Also important, room should be created for independent candidate for election in Nigeria. This is becoming very important, considering the present circumstances in Nigeria.