Dr Ben Carson

Prior to his running for the office of the President of USA- before running out of breath- and flipping over to Trump campaign and finally ending up as a Secretary of Housing and Urban Planning, Dr Ben Carson was a born and bred African American neurosurgeon of international repute.

Behind his seemingly innocuous mien is a brain that led 70 other doctors in performing the first successful operation of separating the Siamese co-joined twins. Just like Wole Soyinka and the award of Literature Nobel Prize, this singular medical feat was an enough significant achievement for Dr. Carson as it led to a breakthrough in his medical career which gave him recognition throughout the world.

This feat launched Dr.Carson into fame, wealth and limelight - indices that are however not enough to transit him into a political career. Nevertheless, his announcement for candidacy of the greatest office in the world went viral. Sensing another Obama in the making,Nigerians lived and campaigned online for the doctor. Without any assistant passing him precision equipments and finding the political turf not sterile, Dr Carson soon wisely gave up his political ambition and joined Trump- the most unlikely of candidates.

With the white house in political turmoil, the GOP about to self implode and far more major scandals brewing here and in Russia, you will think that no one will take cognizance of the minute financial impropriety involving the Secretary. Now, that we know that the Dr Carson approved $31,561 to purchase a dining set for his office (Even, operating tables are far more cheaper).We also know that the department spent another $165,000 on “lounge furniture,”  for the sitting Secretary.Virtually every major news outlet is on the story for reasons beyond me.

Dr. Ben Carson sits in a far more white cabinet of President Trump, knowing fully well that there are more who are against him than for him. And that the choice of cabinet that he was offered and took was clearly outside of his competence, resulting in a below par performance in his first year in office. Still, he did not refuse the appointment. Though, Nigerians here are of the opinion that he is just being singled out for punishment more for his colour of skin than his sins. Which to me implies that the amiable doctor got to that position more on other considerations than on merit. Just like the present black RNC chairman, and Babatunde Fashola.

Sarcasm apart, the disproportionate focus on this small financial scandal seem on point when you consider the level of hypocrisy on display within this context. Two weeks ago, the White House proposed cutting the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s budget by $8.8 billion. Splurging on new office decor while cutting public housing projects for the poor clearly meets the definition of hypocritical.

I haven't been around here for long to be able to know if overspending on interior decorating with a budget excess that could have been retired can result in Carson being fired ( I have a feeling deep in my DNA that he will not resign). But, it is clear that the situation makes for a perfect scandal — easy to understand, clearly hypocritical and, unfortunately for Carson, hard to forget. And if he is determined to keep his job, he better forget washing his hands with chlorinated lime water and rather consider the following tips.

The Seventh day Adventist church where he worships should embark on a two prong frontal attacks, the prayer warriors must start dry fasting and prayers because this is clearly the devil's work. For Christ sake, the man is worth $29m and could personally afford any tree in the rainforest for his office furniture. Secondly, his kinsmen in Detroit Michigan should come out en masse wearing same shirts emblazoned with solidarity messages and screaming racism on the streets.

And lastly, his medical constituency must write a strongly worded letter supporting him, with a threat that if he loses his job on account of this small corruption tendencies,all doctors- including the 70 that performed the first major operation with him will all go on strike with their scapels firmly in their hands.

Time is of essence.