Editorial: Sacrificing Competence On The Altar Of Partisan Politics

A very gory reality is unfolding before Nigerians.

At a time when the best hands and brains in the country ought to be harnessed to kick the country’s comatose economy back to life, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided to leave no one in doubt that his addiction to partisanship trumps his will to reverse the hardship endured by the citizens.

Skewed appointment of service chiefs, agencies/ board appointments and the plan to relocate some strategic establishments, all paint the president as a sectional leader.

Now, Nigerians have become even more bewildered by the president’s decision to flagrantly withdraw Ruby Onwudiwe’s nomination as member of the the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Tinubu had earlier forwarded the nominee’s name to the National Assembly for confirmation but became bombarded by claims that the nominee had supported Tinubu’s opponent in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP)`.

Top functionaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had voiced strong objections to the nomination, saying the office was too sensitive for an opposition figure to occupy.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learnt that Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and other senators had expressed concerns about the propriety of Onwudiwe’s nomination during a session with President Tinubu.

A Senate that should exist for the overall wellbeing of the citizenry has reduced itself to a partisan puppet whose usefulness is now in doubt.

Tinubu’s decision makes nonsense of CBN’s purported independence.

The CBN Act 2007 states that it shall be a fully autonomous body in the discharge of its functions under the Act and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act with the objective of promoting stability and continuity in economic management.

How then is the CBN autonomous, or independent, when its management and workforce are recruited and imposed by the political class?

DDM insists that as the apex financial institution tasked with regulating monetary stability and implementing monetary policies, the CBN should rely on a board and workforce recruited on merit irrespective of political, religious and tribal background.

Against this backdrop, the withdrawal of Onwudiwe’s nomination, apparently due to her political affiliations, underlines the school of thought that dissenting voices in the country are endangered species.

The ‘Obidients’ Movement which Onwudiwe pitched her political tent with, as far as DDM understands, was (and is still) a conscious agitation for good governance.

Seeing adherents of the movement as threats in the polity is a threat itself to their existence as citizens. It is also an attempt to deny them of the right to political inclusion.

Diaspora Digital Media frowns as such, and implores Tinubu to make good his promise of running a government of inclusivity.

If the recalibration of the CBN is being done for good, then Onwudiwe was eminently qualified for the job.

Ruby Onwudiwe is a seasoned professional known for her strategic prowess and impactful leadership.

Currently serving as the Executive Director of Operations at COURE Technologies, Inc., Ruby has carved a distinguished career path marked by notable feats and innovative contributions.

A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy and Conflict Resolution: At the George Mason University – Schar School of Policy and Government, she earned her Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering from George Mason University (1999-2000).

She had earlier bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering, also from George Mason University, in 1999.

Onwudiwe journeyed into the tech world in 1999 as a Requirements & Design Analyst at IBM.

She later proceeded to CACI International Inc., where she served as a Systems Specialist, further expanding her knowledge and capabilities in the tech landscape.

In 2005, Ruby embarked on a new chapter by joining Exostar as a Sr. Technical Systems Analyst. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in spearheading signature projects for esteemed clients such as Lockheed Martin Corporation, Rolls Royce, The Boeing Company, and BAE Systems.

Her adeptness in technical analysis and project management proved instrumental in the successful implementation of critical solutions, including Supply Chain applications and Secure Identity Management systems.

Ruby’s career trajectory reached new heights when she joined Stanbic IBTC, a leading financial institution, in 2010.

At Stanbic IBTC, she held several key positions, including Chief Information Officer and Head of Corporate & Investment Banking Technology.

She oversaw the delivery of Nigeria’s Core Banking upgrade and spearheading the bank’s IT strategy and technology delivery initiatives.

She later transitioned to 9PSB as the Executive Director of Technology Operations, where she continued to drive innovation and excellence in the fintech sector.

Such sterling career sacrificed on the altar of partisan politics is very puking.

DDM warns that Nigerians cannot afford to watch the four-year tenure of the Tinubu-Presidency wasted on unnecessary witch-hunt and bad politics.

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