Nigeria, April 9 -- These days, for many Nigerian public office holders, distance is survival, and shrouding their identity is the difference between safety and vulnerability.

They veil the plate numbers of their official vehicles whenever they are outside their homes so that Nigerians will not know that they are around or passing; they move from one tinted vehicle to another with carefully orchestrated moves designed to ensure minimum contact with Nigerians who elected them.

It begs the question of how much can be private in public service.

While many public office holders have maintained the tradition of leaving the plate numbers on their official vehicles uncovered so that Nigerians can know who is passing and when, or who is at wha...