Will the struggle for the PMG of NIPOST go the way of NPA?

Modern history of Ni­gerian Postal Service [NIPOST] has it that late Abubaker Argungu started its revival. Account has it that upon ascension to the position of the Post-Master General of the Federation [PMG]; Argungu and his team in NIPOST came out with Marshall Plan on how to re-position the establishment.

So when Mallam Mori Baba took over, upon the unfortu­nate death of Argungu, he con­tinued on the track set up by his predecessor. Although, lack of funds appears to be the undoing of the establishment but Mallam Mori Baba was able to navigate NIPOST with the co-operation of the staff.

Before Mr. Enoch Ade-Ogun took over from Mallam Mori Baba as PMG in Acting capac­ity, information was rife that the parent Ministry of NIPOST un­der Ms. Mobolaji Johnson had concluded plan to advertise the position PMG of NIPOST, if it becomes vacant, with the inten­tion of bringing in outsider to pi­lot the affairs of NIPOST. When on Wednesday, December 21, 2015, the Ministry of Commu­nication came out with adver­tisement for the vacant position of PMG of NIPOST, it became obvious that the Ministry is hell bent on bringing outsider to head NIPOST. Probably sens­ing that the December 21, 2015 advert exposed their intention of shutting out qualified candi­dates from NIPOST, the Minis­try brought out another advert with modifications to accommo­date NIPOST staff on December 23, 2015.

The next in the plot against Mr. Ade-Ogun was his invita­tion to the Ministry of Com­munication where he was asked to hand over to the most sen­ior officer in NIPOST. Though, Mr. Ade-Ogun was supposed to have retired in December 2015, but he was asked to continue in office pending the appointment of a substantive PMG who is ex­pected to emerge through the se­lection process. Mr. Ade-Ogun promptly handed over as was instructed. As if the directive to hand over was not enough, he was not even invited to take part in the interview to select the new PMG, despite applying for the position.

Watchers of politics at NIPOST are of the opinion that Mr. Ade-Ogun’s problems are twofold. In the first place, be­ing the most qualified person for the job, it was probably rea­soned that inviting him for the interview will be a serious threat to the outsider being groomed to takeover, hence, the decision to scheme him out. Secondly, Ade-Ogun’s unwilling disposition to part with NIPOST facilities was said to be also responsible for his problem. This fact could be dis­cerned from the desperate man­ner some persons were search­ing for the author of a petition against a highly placed Nigeri­an who is said to be pushing hard for an outsider to take over as the new PMG of NIPOST. In-fact, a law firm was said to have written to NIPOST via freedom of infor­mation Act, requesting to know the author of a petition to the President against this Nigerian.

It will be recalled that the cur­rent Managing Director of Nige­rian Ports Authority [NPA], Ha­bibu Abdulahi, was sacked by the former President Goodluck Jonathan in a curious circum­stances, fueling speculation that Abdulahi’s refusal to play ball was responsible for his sack. It was however, not surprising to lover of justice that on Aug 13, 2015, President Muhammmadu Buhari terminated the appoint­ment of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Alhaji Sanusi Baye­ro and Habibu Abdullahi, rein­stated as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

From all indications, what is transpiring in NIPOST appears to have manifestation of what happened in NPA in recent past. The only difference is that the macabre dance in NIPOST is being contrived by some ele­ments in the ministry of Com­munication, while in the case of NPA, the then Presidency mas­terminded the sack and counter sack. The similarity here is that the humiliation out of office of both Habibu Abdulahi in NPA and Mr. Ade-Ogun in NIPOST were done to achieve satan­ic ends. The danger in outsider coming in as PMG of NIPOST is that the fellow will spend about three [3] years studying the es­tablishment. He may not even get the support of staff of the out­fit as they may see him as gate-crashes.