A presidential order (or executive order) is a legally binding directive from a president to federal agencies, managing the executive branch’s operations and implementing policy without needing new laws from Congress, carrying the force of law but subject to legal challenges and reversal by Congress or courts. They are used to enforce existing laws, set priorities, respond to emergencies, and direct government officials, impacting areas from national security to budgets, and are published in the Federal Register.
It is an executive action which is an umbrella term for any policy directive a President uses to enforce operations of an establishment.
Every single president, from George Washington to Donald Trump, has issued executive orders. Most modern presidents issue hundreds of them during their presidency. While some executive orders are pretty mundane, such as declaring a federal holiday or a day of mourning, others have been among the most important actions the United States government has ever taken.
Abraham Lincoln used an executive order—the Emancipation Proclamation—to address slavery during the Civil War. Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued an executive order to integrate the shipyards and other military contractors. Harry Truman signed an executive order to integrate the military. Lyndon Johnson used an executive order to impose civil rights obligations on all federal contractors. More recently, Joe Biden signed an executive order to require every federal agency to find ways to facilitate voter registration.
But some of the federal government’s worst actions also came via executive order. Roosevelt, for example, used an executive order to force the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans to concentration camps. And in his first week of his second presidential term, Trump used an executive order to rescind Johnson’s historic executive order requiring government contractors to comply with civil rights obligations
Last week President Tinubu issued a presidential order banning well to do in the society from making use of policemen as security aides. He further directed that anybody who is interested in having one should get clearance from him. As usual, I looked at it as one of those orders and this is Nigeria where anything can happen.
I decided to monitor but on my own seek for security whether it would be granted despite the presidential order.
First was when a federal legislature attended a program that lasted till the middle of the night. He was alone with his civilian aides. When I asked one of them why no security, I was told they have been withdrawn.
In Delta State, most Commissioners that I have seen are without the regular policemen. My applications to the DPO(s) were all turned down because of the presidential order.
My conversation with one runs like this” I cannot approve this request because we have a presidential order. Oga, but We will not go far beyond the town. Do you want me to be sacked? You are talking of a presidential order. Will you employ me? You want to enter trouble while you enjoy with my family.
There is this new hotel in Udu area where over 15 Policemen are always on duty. A visit to the place last weekend indicates that they have been withdrawn leaving only men from the Army. That is the weight of a presidential order.
The bottom line is that my request was turned down because to them the weight of a presidential order is too much to bear. It is not something you can flout.
A look at the operations of the Nigerian Football Federation seems like that of Police in the past where anything goes.
The place is rotten with controversy, corruption and all sorts of things.
Offer, it has more than any other establishment brought disgrace to the country. With billions of Naira that is accrued to them, nothing on ground to show for it. The story has been from one failure to another with zero performance from all the male teams.
In the next few days, the country senior team, the Super Eagles will begin action in the African Cup of Nations and unlike before, nobody knows what their performance will give birth to, Nobody can, not even the administrators can stick out their neck to say we will and we can win the trophy.
Therefore, I am of the opinion that a Presidential order can do the magic. If those in the Police sector could obey and dread a presidential order, I see no reason why those managing football should not do so.
A presidential order that will make the NFF bigwigs to account for every kobo giving to them. A presidential order that will make them to pay bonuses, allowances and salaries as at when due. A presidential order that will stop the Abuja glass house bigwigs from sending girlfriends and family members to Morocco is needed now than before. A presidential order that will stop the politicians from turning into an emergency coach(es) who will not distract the boys. A presidential order that will stop agents from dictating to the Technical Adviser on which player to feature in the games. A presidential order that will enjoin journalists to report the event and not change black to blue because of brown envelope.
With a presidential order, the country’s hope of bringing the trophy will come to pass if not, we may end up as usual.
