Also, in his short stay as the Head of the Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan stated, “I am serving notice here and now of the determination of the Interim National Government to launch a crusade against corruption in public life. To this end, I shall strive to lead by personal example. The ING will also ensure that laws against corruption are enforced without fear or favour. Each and everyone must be ready to expose corruption wherever it exists’’. That comment like every other ended as a gospel without the truth as his government was sooner than expected declared illegal.
General Abacha, another military Head of State, in 1995, like his predecessors, raised a strong voice against corruption and other social ills, saying, “The twin evils of indiscipline and corruption have severely affected the social integrity of our society and have frustrated the great hopes of our people to genuine development”.
However, Nigerians after his demise were shell-shocked to learn that monumental corruption flourished under the same man.
For General Abdulsalami Abubakar, his administration is often always described by Nigerians with critical minds as a regime without strategic insight or will to end corruption in the country.
At the dawn of Democracy in May 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo that recorded a vague result in corruption fight as a military President in the late 1970s suddenly became an anti-corruption crusader creating two anti-craft bodies – Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
The two bodies have at different points performed to the admiration of the global community. However, OBJ was later accused by the political class and the media of using the anti-craft bodies as an instrument for witch-hunt/and political vendetta.
Not to say anything about President Umoru Yar’Adua’s effort will render this piece a one side-narrative as his short stay as president of the Federal Republic witnessed some steps adjudged as transparent by Nigerians and earned him goodwill.
Conversely, while Yar’Adua enjoyed goodwill, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration faced more credibility burden than goodwill as he was perceived as not resolute in fighting corruption – a factor largely responsible for his failure in his 2015 general election.
As to President Muhammudu Buhari-led Federal Government, corruption, during his administration became even more entrenched as scandal upon scandal completely laid bare the anti-corruption stance of his administration, and those who were initially deceived by the present government’s alleged fight against corruption have come to the conclusion that nothing has changed.
This situation becomes worse when one remembers that the list of actions not taken by this administration to confront corruption which has made Nigerians face actual and potential difficulties remains lengthy and worrisome. Chiefly among these is Mr. President’s failure to objectively make corruption a personal priority for him or those who report directly to him.
This has fittingly presented the President as one that started off with high moral standards, strong conviction and determination to beat down corruption but has neither lived up to that good intention nor dealt with all transgressors without exception.
Today, the Buhari led Federal Government is rested. Most painful about the present commentary is the awareness that while the immediate past administration was at the departure lounge, corruption glaringly looked courageous as if it was a legacy project left behind for posterity and for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians. It appeared more nourished and full bodied than it was before the advent of the administration under review.
Today, all eyes are on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidency and the question that is as important as the piece itself is the question that is as important as the piece itself is; what can President Bola Ahmed led the Federal Government do differently to sustainably end this vicious circle of corruption in Nigeria?
To change this narrative and create a positive impact, this piece holds the opinion that Mr. President must be ready to come up with frameworks that will ensure that every naira in revenue will be properly accounted for and would reach the beneficiaries at the grassroots as one dollar, without being siphoned off along the way. To achieve this, special attention must be given to the areas where discretionary powers have been exploited for personal gain and sharpened the instrument that could prevent, detect, or deter such practices.
The second important action expected of the government if the nation is to make appreciable progress in curbing corruption, is to rework the nation’s electoral system which is considered brazenly expensive. We must not forget that internationally, a precondition for an honest government is that candidates must not need large sums to get elected, or it must trigger off the circle of corruption. Having spent a lot of money to get elected, winners must recover their costs and possibly accumulate funds for the next election as the system is self-perpetuating.
As an incentive, governments at all levels must recognize, and position Nigeria to be a society of equal citizens where opportunities are equal and personal contribution is recognized and rewarded on merit regardless of language, culture, religion or political affiliations.
May God help the present administration to succeed!
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Utomi is the programme coordinator, media and policy, Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos
