FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

WRITER: OLAYINKA ALAYA

TOPIC: FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

 

It is sad today that Nigeria, a country referred to as the giant of Africa, blessed with abundant human and natural resources is celebrating corruption as some of its so called leaders and governed are swimming in the pool of massive corruption.

Despite being blessed with abundant human and natural resources, it is devastating that majority of its citizens, especially youths and aged people are living in abject poverty, as the rate of graduate unemployment continues to increase unchecked and uncontrolled.

Many Nigerians, especially activists have been calling the attention of government to this problem, as some of the government officials are involved in serious scandals. The sad aspect of it all is that the Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, does not see what everyone else is seeing. To him, things are not as bad as they are being painted about Nigeria and corruption.

Nigeria is ranked one hundred and sixty third corrupt country in the world. This is a clarion call for Nigerians and their leaders. Activities of the government officials engaging in massive corruption and escaping with it without check and effort to bring them to book to face the law signal the wrong message to Nigerians and the world at large. This is painting Nigeria in a bad colour.

The real tragedy of the whole matter is that the man that heads the helm of affairs in the country who is supposed to fight corruption says it is being blown out of proportion meaning, he does not see any need to lead the anti-corruption war. This may not be too good for the country.

Corruption is bedeviling all the sectors of the economy, while corrupt officials are pardoned for political reasons. It would be recalled that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole was involved in a massive corruption but he was cleared and pardoned by the government, Diepreye Alameseigha, the former Bayelsa state governor was also involved in a serious corruption both at home and abroad but at the end he received Presidential pardon.

The case of current and former Ministers in the present administration's government that got involved in corruption with anti-graft agencies who serves as the watchdogs doing nothing to bring justice is sad. Nigerians will not forget the Odua-Gate scandal, Diezani Maduekwe's ongoing case where she allegedly used whopping ten billion naira between 2012 and 2014 to aired jet and six hundred thousand euros for a foreign trip is uncalled for. Recently, it was discovered that another sum of twenty five billion naira is also missing in the office of the Head of Service of the Federation. The money belongs to pensioners.

There is corruption at all levels and in all forms. There is sycophancy. There is the polluted value system and today, we celebrate mediocre, frauds, exconvicts and criminals and we now wonder who is the ideal role model. In Nigeria today, politics has become a very lucrative business and people no longer go into it to serve the people. To many, it is a means of getting their share of the national cake.

The unfortunate aspect is that this corrupt practice has eaten deep into every fabric of the Nigerian society, sparing no one in its destructive trail. The quest to continually remain in power by politicians portends great danger to the polity as it forms the basis for disquiet and discontent on the part of the people which often times leads to social unrest and upheavals.

If this evil desire or quest is removed, the need to do all sorts of evil to remain in power will come to an end.

The time is rife for Nigerians to think of bringing sanctity to the system by voting patriotic, committed, visionary, focused, corrupt-free, upright, and God fearing people into power in the twenty fifteen general elections. Religious bigotry, sentiment, prejudice, favoritism and ethnicity should be avoided in the process of choosing the leaders come twenty fifteen.

Our judiciary needs to be independent and free from executive control. As the saying goes, He who pays the piper, dictates the tune. A situation whereby, the Federal Government or the Presidency has absolute power in the appointment of           Chief Justice of Nigeria and other judges, including members of the National Judicial Council is totally condemnable as it won't pave way for justice to reign. The institution should be totally independent, while the two anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt and other Related offences Commission (ICPC) should be under the Judiciary.

               Not only a common man that steals goat should be jailed many years imprisonment, corrupt officials should also face years of imprisonment, at least fifteen years. This would serve as deterrent to others.

               Goodluck Jonathan led administration should demonstrate the will to fight corruption and clear the country in the world from being one of the most corrupted countries. Any of his ministers, special advisers, aides, heads of parastatals found engaging in corruption, must be seriously dealt with and be made to dance to the music of the law.