I write in response to the article by Abimbola Adelakun entitled, “Osinbajo: Beyond the nostrum”, published on Thursday, July 16, 2020, in The PUNCH newspapers.
While the writer acknowledged at the beginning that the allegations “made by a blogger — if found untrue… should be slammed with criminal charges to forestall future false publications”, one then wonders why she still proceeded to make further arguments and pontifications based essentially on the referenced premise of fake news and fairy tales.
More so, wide sections of the media also reported that the now suspended acting EFCC boss categorically denied giving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the alleged N4bn as bandied about by the discredited blogger. Thus, it is baffling for the writer to then claim that “if the IG truly investigates and it turns out that the allegations are true, what will happen?”, when it is obvious that the falsehood has been established.
How else did the writer want the VP’s counsel to react to such highly libelous claim? What other route should the counsel have taken other than follow the rule of law?
Viewed against other instances of infantile contradictions cited in several of Ms. Abimbola Adelakun’s past columns, one is now tempted to wonder the motive behind the said article.
It is further baffling that the writer, perhaps to fill up space, chose to regurgitate already proved falsehood, like the claim that the Federal Inland Revenue Service gave “Osinbajo N90bn to spend on the 2019 general election.” The FIRS had debunked it, noting that “the false claims are entirely libelous and unfounded.” Also, a prominent national newspaper had to publish a retraction to the Vice President as it “discovered that the story lacks factual substance.”
It should be worrying to every upright citizen that outright lies and fake news are given any form of traction, no matter how subtle, by supposed informed writers. To what end? If respect for the rule of law and the rule of law is not put into account in dealing with fake news and libellous claims, then of what use is the rule of law?
According to the writer, “Even though he (VP) vigorously denies the allegations, he was equally dragged into the issue of the N5.8bn National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) scandal. If his persistent threats to sue his traducers have not deterred malicious claims, maybe he should start looking beyond that nostrum.” Pray, tell, what nostrum should the VP look beyond than doing what is right and in following the rule of law? Extra-legal or extrajudicial means? It seems Adelakun, at times, just simply blindsides herself!
Again, the issue of the N5.8bn NEMA funds was factually debunked by the Office of the Vice President and NEMA, with clear details to prove the allegations were untrue. For the records, the House of Reps report DID NOT indict the Vice President for any wrongdoing. So, putting it that the VP “vigorously denies the allegations” is quite mischievous when the truth is in the public domain: there was no scandal as regards the VP’s involvement. None at all. Why won’t Adelakun apply her supposed academic acumen to consider issues rather than this “beer-parlour” level discourse?
It is rather unfortunate for the writer to state that the VP’s counsel’s decision to petition the IGP on the issue “will look like he is merely throwing tantrums rather than someone who is legitimately aggrieved.” Not only does fake news go against communication ethics, it borders on criminal libel and defamation. When has following the rule of law and doing what is right become akin to throwing tantrums? The VP, like every citizen, is well within his right to seek legal redress, especially when it is against a campaign of calumny and aimed at maligning his hard-earned reputation and tested credibility over the years.
Truth, objectivity, accountability should always be at the core of any enterprise. In the age of social media, there is a need for communication professionals to swiftly separate facts from fake news and outright fiction. Fake news is already an abuse of the freedom of speech; professional journalistic pieces should not make it worse by subtly embellishing it and regurgitated falsehood with high sounding words.
Again, the article claimed that “Such (fake news) stories are pushed out to search for resonance among those in whose minds Osinbajo’s place in government has already been reduced to “VP Academics.” I would rather ignore the latter misjudged comment as it further exposes Adelakun’s descent to the pedestrian.
But this is not just about VP Osinbajo, fake news affects the core of our society and weakens the cords that help build a decent society where the rule of law is upheld and truth is sacrosanct. The greatest countries in the world are built on the rule of law and consequences for action. A society where the right values and respect for these values are merely dismissed does not bode well for the collective future.
The VP’s actions have set a significant precedent. Truth matters. Objectivity matters. Actions and consequences matter. The right values matter. Because in the end, they help make better societies. Not fake news or its proponents.
On the integrity of the Buhari/Osinbajopresidency, corruption and its attendant issues predate this administration. While corruption happens in every society, its gravity and consequences are defined by the values championed in that society. It must be stated that the Buhari administration has shown significant political will to fight endemic corruption, despite the criticisms and drawbacks. Not too long ago, the humongous sleaze that happened under a previous administration which was well covered up, only came to light after the tenure of that administration had ended.
Nigerians have high expectations of the Buhari/Osinbajo presidency because they are renowned for their personal integrity and Nigerians trust them to manage the country’s resources better. This has not changed. Under this administration, issues bordering on corruption and abuse of public office are not swept under the carpet, unlike before. That is a plus. There are no sacred cows. And a lot of progress has been recorded in the fight against corruption, when compared to previous administrations.
This goes without saying that no matter how highly placed a government official or person is in society, if found to have betrayed their office or gone against the laws of the land, they should be made to face the consequences of their actions, moreso, when it has to do with our commonwealth as a nation. Under the Buhari administration, former state governors and senior government officials have been jailed after being found guilty of corruption, among other examples. If the administration had followed precedent, the reverse would have been the case.
On the issue of the VP referencing the grand corruption in the previous administrations, he was simply stating a fact, like the writer acknowledged. The larger picture is about building a nation with the right values, where citizens, no matter their social class or status, stand against corruption, and public officials can be held to higher standards, by their words and actions.
According to the writer, “When he (VP) used the gravitas of his office to lend weight to unsubstantiated stories of corruption, he should have known that he was contributing to a social ecology that would make trafficking in those stories acceptable.” This is almost embarrassing. Should our society condone corruption by running away from a public discourse about it and finding solutions to cure this malaise? Or should this be accepted as justification for a blogger to spew fake news and outright fabrication against the number two citizen of a country?
Yet again, the writer claimed that stories about corruption in the previous administration were “unsubstantiated stories”, despite having previously stated that, “Unfortunately, none of the allegations Osinbajo made against Jonathan’s administration told us anything new.” In any case, the VP never told any unsubstantiated stories. He is a Professor of Evidence and knows better.
Also, that some high-profile persons, as the writer mentioned, have allegations of corruption hanging over their heads does not negate the efforts of the Buhari administration in fighting corruption, instead it lends credence to it. And as expected in a democracy, the rule of law must be followed.
Besides, the Vice President is a man who respects the rule of law, has built a credible reputation in public service and is renowned as a man of high integrity. He shows that things can be done right and that Nigerians can embody and project the right values, whether in government or as individuals, in any sector. This is a moral standard that citizens should advocate to help build a better society, rather than give credence to fake news.
- Umukoro is the Special Assistant, Communications Projects, in the Presidency
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