This
perceptible national feeling of indifference is sobering much as it should
induce reflection. It is a tell-tale sign that should instruct this
administration on the way to move forward even in the fight against corruption.
In the
scenic categorisation of this looting act which spanned three administrations
of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, the
late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of
Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, who made this disclosure, stated inter alia: “15 former governors allegedly stole N146.84 billion; four
former ministers allegedly stole N7 billion; 12 former public servants, both at
federal and state levels, were said to have stolen N14 billion. Apart from
public officials, 19 persons in banking and business were indicted in this
looting. Eight of these were banking officials who allegedly stole N524
billion, and 11 businessmen who helped themselves to the tune of N653 billion.”
As
sensational as this piece of information is, the revelation to the general
public is a duty which this administration has rightly carried out to the best
of its ability. Every democracy, of necessity, needs information that would
make citizens free and self-governing. However, the potential in the pieces of
information rests on the value they have to effect actionable plans for a free
and self-governing citizenry. In this regard, whilst this administration has,
since inception, received commendation, and is still being praised, for its
drive against corruption, it should not turn this exercise into shadow-chasing.
Since the
Buhari administration came to power, it has bought the people’s confidence with
its anti-corruption efforts. Nigerians have applauded the directive of
President Buhari to inquire into arms and ammunition procurement and contract
relating to military ordnances in the fight against Boko Haram. They have also
witnessed in this dispensation criminal charges leveled against professional
politicians, amongst whom are legislators. They have read of reorganisation of
public enterprises that have inculpated public officials of corruption. The sad
thing, though, is that despite this frenetic energy dissipated in fighting
corruption, Nigerians are also wearily following the tortuous journey of the
courts that leads to nowhere. That the anti-corruption crusade tends to nowhere
is a justified position to take when one begins to ask critical questions: Why
are incriminating allegations thrown at people without prosecuting them? Why
are perpetrators of heinous corruption crimes being prosecuted and always
permitted bail? Why has no one been convicted? What has Nigeria gained from all
of this? Devoid of results, in terms of actionable prosecution, indications are
that the anti-corruption moves might just be a flash in the pan.
Viewed as a
needless rigmarole, the present state of affairs tends to create the impression
that President Buhari’s regime is merely putting up a strategy to rustle the
polity by playing the familiar old game of ‘governing by distraction’. This is
the governance operative within the context of doing nothing: high profile
corruption cases rent the airwaves and public spaces, high-falutin figures are
earmarked for projects, budget sent from the Presidency is declared missing,
and a scandalous piece of news is fed the public. And whilst the public manages
to make sense of what is going on, another distraction is unleashed on them.
This is the kind of shadow-chasing that prevents growth and development, and
frustrates the proper function of governance.
Far and
above the accustomed news of corruption, Nigeria wants to see equal
breakthrough in other sectors of the economy. The corruption-chasing seems to
have overshadowed whatever progress ministers are making because Nigerians
seldom hear from them. The government must, therefore, conceive a plan of
action that is tangible; one that Nigerians can wholesomely identify with. The
focus and vibrancy of this administration should point to the possibility of
beginning a Nigerian agricultural revolution through which growth and
development can be stimulated.
If there is
any value in the missive of the information minister, it is that the event of
the alleged looting of N1.3 trillion has come to show that corruption is as
enduring as the life of the nation, and that this administration would merely
be scratching the surface of that Pandora box of corruption, if it carries on
the way it is. This government must however, recognise that the situation on
ground is more urgent than when former President Yar’Adua wanted to declare a
state of emergency on certain sectors of national life.
Areas such
as education, capacity building, power and even the administration of the local
government are important aspects of the polity in need of attention. More than
a barrage of corruption stories, which cases quickly fade as they came,
Nigerians want to see growth in the economy demonstrated by progress in the
quality of their simple lives. (Guardian)
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