This blunt psychological open rebuke is evident in a statement from Austin Umahi, the younger brother to the Ebonyi State governor David Umahi, as he rejects President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment as the Secretary of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). In his own words, "I am honestly humbled by this show of love. However, I regret to inform you that I declined the appointment because it is at best for job seekers or retired civil servants, or better still, anyone who loves the job, and secondly, I am convinced that at my age and work experience, it is not in doubt that I know what I want in life." “Please if you are interested in the position do not hesitate to approach our indefatigable governor to do the needful because as far as I am concerned the position is still vacant. Thanks and God bless”.
In other words, some people need jobs more than I need this one. Some people need jobs. And he is saying this publicly on ethical grounds.
For reasons best known to him, Austin Umahi, a reported Christian minister and one with an accounting background, is tired of a situation where human resource practices are corrupted or contaminated by political patronage, nepotism, or cronyism as they have a profound negative impact on recruitment and appointment processes, productivity, discipline, satisfaction, and credibility.
He sends a message to all Nigerians, particularly to public and private sector employers, that granting favors or jobs to families and relatives without regard to merit are practices that have damaging effects on equal economic opportunities and effective institutions, as such acts exclude vast groups of needy people and weaken the growth of democracy.
A young democratic society whose human resources are founded on nepotism, partiality, favoritism, clannishness, and patronage, as is happening in Nigeria, forms quick and lasting psychological paths to political crises, social conflict, the crisis of government, and general discontent and unhappiness, which threaten justice, peace, and security across the nation.
The brother of Governor Umahi, who I must say is educationally qualified for the stated job given his accounting, finance, and money science background, like many Nigerians, is just tired and frustrated about a society rooted in greed, partiality, cronyism, tribalism, and abuse of power that can result in intended and unintended consequences for democracy.
Let’s hope that this new psychology set by Austin Umahi is learned or copied by employers, especially in public and corporate service, regarding the reality that nepotism, manipulation, and marginalization hinder economic and democratic growth amidst the current insecurity in Nigeria.
Even a 7-year-old child in southern and northern Nigeria knows all is not currently well in society given the worsening economic and security situation in the country, and Austin Umahi, unlike many in leadership, is leading Nigerians to say it is high time Nigerians begin to speak the truth. Let's hope President Buhari, Governor Umahi, and their likes start acknowledging this reality.
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