By Titilayo Omotayo Alade
Events from around the world in the first week of June are sources of local wisdom for Nigeria to learn from. From the US Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation of alleged Russian interference in the United States Presidential election last November, there are a couple of lessons for Nigeria to glean, especially from the testimony given by the immediate past Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James Comey on June 8.
Here are some points:
(a) National security matters are sacred matters that no government official can compromise. Indeed, no one should know better than an FBI boss the consequence of unauthorized disclosure of top secrets, while in or out of service. Yet, Comey did. By so doing, he allowed himself to fall into the same controversy of compromising national security same as the subjects of his final investigations in office – Hillary Clinton and President Trump.
(b) When in doubt, ask questions; never make decisions based on assumption. Comey repeatedly made assumptions based on what he “thought” President Trump wanted.
(c) Be ready to speak truth to authority even if it will put your job on the line. This is integrity.
(d) National interest is more important than just keeping your job and that applies to everyone including the Commander in Chief!
Donald Trump
Diplomatic Crisis in the Gulf:
Following some controversial news aired on May 23 due to a cyber-hack in Qatar, some Arab countries beginning from 5 June, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Yemen, Libya and later Jordan imposed sanctions on Qatar alleging the latter’s sponsorship of terrorist groups and meddlesomeness in the internal affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Air, sea and land embargo were imposed on Qatar amid other measures. Qatar allegedly paid $1b earlier this year to Iranian and al-Qaeda linked Jihadists to secure the release of 26 members of the Falconry Party including some royal family members who were kidnapped in Southern Iraq in December 2015. By paying ransom, Qatar flouted the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2133(2014) which reaffirmed resolution 1373(2001) that all States shall prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts, and refrain from providing support to any entities or persons involved, including by suppressing recruitment of members of terrorist groups and eliminating the supply of weapons to them. Qatar could have averted the current crisis if the government had responded to the abduction of Qataris through the GCC, the UN, Global Counter Terrorism among other options as provided for under international law.
More countries thereafter imposed sanctions on Qatar which insists that there is “no legitimate justification” for the hostile diplomatic actions against her citizens.
Lessons for Nigeria:
(a) The United Arab Emirates immediately criminalized any acts of sympathy by its citizens towards Qatar until the issue is resolved. The significance of this is to ensure unity of purpose in dealing with a national security interest. Can Nigerian Government take such decisive steps to deal with problems of national security?
(b) The gulf has resulted in the tactic of “Name and shame” as deterrence to curb extremism, thereby setting a bold precedence. On a couple of occasions, Nigeria reportedly was availed the names of Boko Haram sponsors, but government was too timid to publicize such a list.
(c) Divergent interests are factors that can influence how other nations pursue their national interests. The current role of the US in urging peaceful resolution of the Persian Gulf crisis raises curiosity for at least two reasons:
(1) There was an initial tweet by the US President claiming that his recent visit to the Middle–East was beginning to yield results in strengthening the anti-terror war and
(2) Since the US has military base with thousands of troops in Qatar, American citizens will be unintended casualties of the sanctions against Qatar. Some West African countries including Senegal, Mauritania and Chad have also recalled their envoys from Qatar. Nigeria has suffered in the hands of Boko Haram, yet we signed Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Qatar in 2016. What then is the regional giant’s position on Qatar?
Iran:
Meanwhile, the terror attacks on the symbols of Iran’s political ideology can best be compared to a Zoo keeper who falls victim to wild animals he assumed is tamed.
Theresa May’s snap election:
Theresa May
Though British Prime Minister Theresa May’s call for snap election backfired, there are a few lessons to take home.
(a) The best way leaders can appraise their performance is through election. Strong electoral mandate promotes confidence but a weaker mandate means improvement is needed.
(b) It is important to choose which battles are more important to fight, and focus on only that which you are certain to win. Theresa May already had a big battle to fight at the EU, but she apparently misplaced her priorities by calling for early election.
(c) Coalition governments are only the better of two evils – defeat and compromise. For peace and progress, a political party must strive to win clearly.
(d) Institutional Integrity promotes credibility and expertise.
Question: Can Nigeria plan for and organize successful general election given a month's notice?
(e) Responsible communication: During the process of casting ballots, media was not allowed to provide on the spot report at polling units during the election process until after the polling booths had closed. Compared with the May 2016 referendum vote on BREXIT, this time, media privileges were different. Back then, there were allegations that media reports ultimately influenced BREXIT supporters to rush to polling units in the final hours to cast their votes.
(f) Another lesson is that the UK cleverly safeguarded their national security by attracting less attention at a time of undue interference by foreign hackers in local election and jihadist security intrusion. Take for instance, the US election last November.
(g) When a party performs poorly in an election, it means the leadership has lost public credibility and should allow the party chose new leadership that will move the party forward. The UK Independence Party (UKIP) leadership is commendable in this regard.
It is hoped that Nigeria will step up her game and pick good lessons from the experiences of her counterparts.