El-Rufai’s ‘Unguarded Utterances’ and the ‘Silence is Golden’ Dictum By Zekeri Idakwo
POLITICS DIGEST – Last week, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and immediate-past Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, withdrew his interest in being part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s awaiting cabinet.
This was not influenced by his own choice. It was because that appeared to be the last resort.
Grapevine has it that the Senate halted confirming El-Rufai owing to alleged security concerns, which include allegations by the State Security Service bordering on human rights abuses, unguarded public utterances, among other petitions against the ex-Kaduna Chief Executive, including the one presented by Kogi West Senator, Sunday Karimi.
But El-Rufai during a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu confessed his lack of interest in the ministerial job. He nevertheless agreed to contribute his quota to the country’s development, as a private citizen.
The non-confirmation of Mr. El-Rufai, as expected, angered his sympathisers who saw him as a brilliant public servant, strong, dogged supporter and one of the trusted loyalists of President Tinubu. His critics, on the other hand, questioned his unrestrained braggadocio, especially in the public space.
El-Rufai, like any other human being, must have allowed his weaknesses to get the better of him, to the extent of making public utterances in the past, which were considered to be threats to national security.
It is imperative to understand the power of the tongue because it has the ability to influence, persuade, and impact others. The tongue can be used for good or evil, and it is important to be aware of the power of our words. Mr. El-Rufai does not choose his words carefully whenever he comments on national issues.
When we speak without thinking of the consequences, we can say things that are hurtful or damaging, even if we don’t intend to. The Bible says that the “tongue has the power of life and death, and that we will give an account for every careless word we speak”.
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Unguarded speech, especially from persons in the corridors of power, can threaten national security. It can incite violence, fear, and division, with far-reaching consequences.
Words have the potential to start wars and destroy relationships, and it is important to be aware of that power and use it responsibly.
Sometimes people say things without thinking through the potential consequences, and they may not realise the harm they are causing to others or to themselves.
However, I think it is important to hold people accountable for their words, even if they did not intend to cause harm. Ignorance is not an excuse for causing damage with our words.
Even though El-Rufai’s past utterances have not necessarily caused any significant harm, they have the tendency to do so. I am deeply convinced that education is key in addressing this recurrent issue. If people are more aware of the power of their words, and the potential consequences of unguarded speech, they may be more likely to think before they speak. For example, media literacy education can teach people to recognise manipulative and harmful speech.
Similarly, conflict resolution training can help people learn to communicate effectively and resolve disagreements without resorting to harmful words, especially in public. I believe Nigeria is lacking in this type of education.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) was established to educate and inform Nigerians about important issues, including national unity, integration, and cohesion. However, it seems that the NOA has not been very effective in recent years.
Responsible utterances can build trust, foster understanding and promote peaceful coexistence. It can help to resolve conflicts, bring people together, and create a more positive and constructive environment.
On the other hand, unguarded speech can tear people apart, create division, and lead to violence. So, responsible statement is not only about avoiding harm, but also about creating positive change.
To be fair to El-Rufai, he is a world class brain, a human being with weaknesses which has obviously worked against him. Others have done worse and emerged unscathed.
However, I believe the Senate did the right thing for not confirming his nomination as minister for the sake of national security. The former FCT Minister, would have done the same thing, if he was in their position.
His recent ministerial screening debacle should humble him, moving forward. He should learn to avoid making inciting and provocative statements. That is if he finds it difficult to hearken to the ‘Silence is Golden’ aphorism, from now on.
