Not In Defence Of President Moseveni
By Nurudeen Dauda
Permit me to add my voice on the outcry by some Nigerians against President Moseveni of the Republic of Uganda who has recently appointed his daughter, Natasha as the Governor of the Central Bank of Uganda. Mr Moseveni the Father is the President, Mrs Moseveni the mother is the Minister of Education, one of his sons the Chief of Defence and now his daughter as the Governor of the Central Bank.
However, to me as a student of power this is not news , it is important to state that even in the advanced western democracies not under “monarchies” there a history of having family members in government and or maintaining political dynasty. We have had the Kennedy, Roosevelt, Bush, Adams dynasties etc .
In my thought, leadership is all about bettering the lots of the people. Our uppermost concern in governance should be about the people with the capabilities to better the lots of the people. Our conversation on leadership should go beyond the issue of ones “family” or “age” or been “poor” or been “rich”, but his competence as a person.
It is high time we elevate our discussion to ones “capacity”, “competence”, “patriotism”, commitment, “integrity” and or result orientation not ones “family” or “age” or “region” or “zone” and or “age”.
The Kennedy Family:
President Kennedy after winning election In 1960 in US his first appointment was his 35-year old brother as the Attorney general of the United States. Robert Kennedy was his brother’s campaign manager. Robert Kennedy was very instrumental in Kennedy’s government.
Robert Kennedy’s influence in the administration extended well beyond law enforcement. Though different in temperament and outlook, the President came to rely heavily on his brother’s judgment and effectiveness as political adviser, foreign affairs counselor, and most trusted confidant.
The Trump Family:
President Trump before his swearing in then as US President-elect appointed three of his children: Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner to his transition team. After his swearing in he appointed his son-in-law Jared Kushner as Senior Adviser to president. Ivanka Trump was appointed Presidential Adviser.
The Georgia Mafia:
President Jimmy Carter 39th US president appointed must of his official from Georgia where he came from. The situation then made the US media to nickname them as Georgia Mafias. Most of the key positions in the executive branch were staffed by Georgians who had some connection to Carter. President Carter argued that the buck stops at him as such he appointed his trustees and loyalist whom most happened to be from Georgia.
Lastly, there are many other examples around the world. Ours should be on the welfare of the country and its people. We have had enough of celebrations of leaders on the bases of their age or region, but still here we are. Our uppermost concern should be on those who have the capacity to better our lots.
May God bless Nigeria!
Nurudeen writes from Kaduna, nurudeendauda24@yahoo.com.
