Lack of requisite experience by former president Goodluck Jonathan led to the failure of his administration.
Renowned Professor of International Law, Emmanuel Esiemokhai, said this in a chat in his office at the NICON Insurance Building in Abuja at the weekend.
According to him, although Jonathan got a PhD, it was totally irrelevant to governance. “No philosophy, no law, no economics, no sociology. How can you run a country without knowledge? Then, Obasanjo and E. K. Clark were in a race to influence Jonathan. Obasanjo would tell Jonathan: ‘this is what I think should happen.’ E. K. Clark would tell Jonathan: ‘this is what should be done.’
“As a result, there was total misguidance. The young man was confused…”
Reminded that Jonathan had held prominent positions of leadership in the country before his ascension to the Presidency, the Edo-born septuagenarian said: “No, I disagree totally. Knowledge-based governance is different from guess work. It is different from the advice of advisers. It is different from guessing. “What experience did Jonathan have? He finished his PhD (in Port Harcourt). He studied primary school in Port Harcourt, secondary school in Port Harcourt. The only time he left his enclave was when he went to Osun State for National Youth Service programme.
“This is very narrow for a man who will rule a big nation like Nigeria. He didn’t have that intellectual outlook. He didn’t have that historical connection. He didn’t travel widely; he didn’t meet people. He was just a small lucky fellow who wanted (to work at) NNDC, he didn’t make it.”
Esiemokhai, who spoke on various current issues relating to politics, economy and the Dasukigate scandal, advised that President Muhammadu Buhari must be more courageous to deal with high level crime allegedly perpetrated by the past administration. He also expressed support for the trial and prosecution of persons indicted in the arms purchase scandal, as according to him, the law of the nation must take its course, regardless of looters returning funds.
He also hinted that constitutional lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, might not have positive result from his litigation against former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the International Criminal Court, ICC. According to him, Falana has low understanding of international law, and should not be the one filing the case. He noted that Mrs. Okonjo- Iweala did not act alone, adding that the woman acted on order of her superior, and that the case being pursued by Falana should be pursued by the Federal Government, and not an individual.
