Haunted By His Past, Okupe May Hire Keyamo To Defend Him | Sahara Reporters

Haunted By His Past, Okupe May Hire Keyamo To Defend Him | Sahara Reporters

Okupe, Keyamo, and the President

Hiring Dr. Okupe to do the type of job he was originally retained to do was a huge strategic mistake on the part of President Jonathan. Of what use having an "attack dog" with a tainted legacy to do public briefing on behalf of a Presidency with bruised and battered image? To be effective, he must be able to attack and persuade at the same time. That is the test. It's about credibility - an image making crusade. As things stand today, the President needs a credible fellow who commands unadulterated respect and admiration from the general public. Truth is, since his arrival at Aso Rock about a month ago, Dr. Okupe has become the news - the main issue - bedeviled with series of uncomplimentary disclosures regarding execution or non-execution of contract running into Millions of Dollars with some government officials in two states. That is not what the President is looking for in a spokesman.

Few months ago, after considering the helplessness of the Presidency in light of the overwhelming criticisms and media onslaught, we recommend on this blog that President Jonathan should have a President Shehu Shagari's Chuba Okadigbo and Uba Ahmed to be able to tell his own side of the story. It's sad to say here that this guy is none of the two men who served President Shehu Shagari with fervent diligence. Indeed, he is a first-class partisan hulk, but he is not Mr. Karl Rove - President Bush's political gladiator. It is not enough to have an "attack dog" when reasonable people are not persuaded by your argument on any issue - it is completely farcical.

I am not passing judgment on Dr. Okupe’s credibility or guilt; however, given the precarious situation that the President seems to be in with the news media presently - and as it has always been - I think it is time the President or the President's Office call on Dr. Okupe to step aside. Now, he is more of a pain - a complete liability and embarrassment to the President - than of a solace to that office as naturally and professionally expected. It is quite obvious that the President doesn't know the "who is who" or the "heavy hitters" of the Nigerian Journalism. Be that as it may, his Media Adviser should be savvy enough to know what to look for in a candidate that would best represent the interest of the President in the capacity of a spokesperson. Right now the reverse is the case.

In all modesty, I would rather the President go for veterans in the field of journalism to represent him and his office before the Nigerian people.  The like of Chief Duro Onabule, Sonala Olumhense (in your dream), Dare Babarinsa, Odia Ofeimun, Dele Omotunde, Mohammed Haruna, or Godwin Sogolo, instead of fishing for celebrated political operatives with tainted past. The President needs credible voices to bring nobility and create acceptance around Aso Rock in the face of heightened tension between it and the public over petroleum subsidy scam and other issues.

At this juncture, I would like to add that my country still upholds and cherishes that age old legal maxim: the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty. I worked with Mr. Festus Keyamo (closely for few weeks) as students in company of another guy when we were in 400L in preparation for the Justice Taslim Elias Cup Competition organized for students taking International Law and Diplomacy; I must admit, he is more intelligent and smarter than the World has seen of him. He does not take competition lightly, especially when he is working with friends and colleagues he believes complement his intellectual prowess, and at the same time, appreciate his brilliance. At this moment, I do not know what to make of this purported representation of Dr. Okupe; nevertheless, it is my hope that it ends well for both parties.

There is no denying the fact that Dr. Okupe is an intensely brilliant man, a consummate political operative who brings a lot of gravitas to the game.  However, in every respect, he is a distraction of monumental proportion to that office he is presently occupying. He is not serving the President any good as one would reasonably expect of a diligent fiduciary. And it will not get better anytime soon.

This piece is not about the guilt or innocence of Dr. Okupe. That he is competent or good at his job is outside the scope of this piece. What is at stake is his credibility - the ability to impress the independents and non-PDP followers with his message, and convert them to President Jonathan's sympathizers. That is the test. I do not see those on the fence embracing Dr. Okupe and his message anytime soon.

Right now, the baggage is too contaminated for comfort or for public use. And I pray that Dr. Okupe will have the courage to do the right thing - take the initiative and resign voluntarily. The President deserves better. If he is truly a decent man as Dr. Abati wants us to believe, then the President should as well go for decent men or women to represent his views before the Nigerian people.