Open Letter to Buhari over his Apology on the Dissolution of the Governing Councils Of Universities

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Letters/Rejoinders Monday, March 28th, 2016

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI (GCFR) UPON HIS APOLOGY OVER THE DISSOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCILS OF UNIVERSITIES AND REVERSAL OF ILLEGALLY SACKED VICE CHANCELLORS AND OUR RESOLVE TO WITHDRAW THE LAW SUIT AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The saying that leaders are born and not made is everyday becoming true and evident in your actions ever since your assumption of office over 10months ago. Your calm but steady approach in addressing the myriad of challenges confronting our dear nation remains a pointer to the fact that you are indeed a leader that was born to take Nigeria out of her present state of doldrums to the zenith of socio-economic and political development and prosperity.

Our attention has been drawn to your humble disposition in offering an apology to Nigerians for dissolving the governing councils of Universities along with boards of parastatal agencies while simultaneously rescinding the order that led to this anomaly during the National Executive Council meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja on the 22nd of March, 2016. This noble and timely action has put you on the right side of history and will forever remain a point of exemplary reference for the present crop of African leaders that offering apologies or reversing mistakes is not a sign of weakness but a show of courage to thread on a path meant only for the brave.

May we humbly remind you sir that our Coalition was the first to call your attention to this error through the office of the Minister of Education when this decision was first taken as we observed that your action was predicated upon an ill-conceived advice that emanated from Mr. Adamu Adamu. It was after the failure of several appeals that this decision be reversed by the Minister of Education that we embarked on several peaceful protests to call the attention of all relevant stakeholders including the National Assembly to this fundamental flaw, which if allowed to stand will set a very bad precedent capable of tainting your administration as one that has no regard for the rule of law.

While your decision to reverse an action that was taken in error is highly commendable, it is noteworthy that the constant embarrassment brought to your government by those who believe that it is still business as usual be ruthlessly addressed so that it can serve as deterrent to others. This is one embarrassment too many by charlatans who are yet to understand that this change which is sweeping through all facets of the Nigerian society has truly come to stay.

We want you to recall sir that almost the same scenario played out when some unscrupulous elements who thought that it was business as usual tried to pad the 2016 budget, which was promptly exposed by the National Assembly and in turn incurred your wrath as so many public officers who were found culpable were sacked. Your swift reaction brought back the confidence that Nigerians hitherto had in you as an upright man that can never compromise his integrity no matter whose ox is gored.

It is in lieu of the above that we appeal to you that the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu and all those who have been found culpable either remotely, directly or otherwise in misinforming you into taking the action that led to this constitutional breach be made to take full responsibility through immediate resignation or sack so that those who are by any chance still in doubt as to your tenacity to rid Nigeria of bad governance will be totally convinced of your uncompromising stance.

As a mark of respect and show of solidarity to your administration, the Executive Council members of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups after an emergency meeting have decided to withdraw from the Industrial Court a suit(NIC/ABJ/64/2016) filed against the Federal Ministry of Education in respect to this matter. This is our own way of saying thank you for yielding to the voices of several stakeholders who appealed to you to revisit your decision, which though taken in good faith but known to all Nigerians to be predicated on the wrong counsel of an overvaulting public officer in the person of Mr. Adamu Adamu.

May we reiterate once more your excellency our deepest appreciation for being courageous enough to thread the path where only few African leaders have dared while at the same time thanking all stakeholders and Nigerians who stood on the side of truth while this agitation last even in the face of stiff opposition.

Thank you sir and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:

Etuk Bassey Williams (JP) Abubakar Ibrahim

President. General Secretary.