Barrister Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR |
Perhaps the
easiest way of sweeping things under the carpet is by quickly organising a
world summit on corruption. But exactly when was this summit planned? Was it
after Cameron was prominently featured in the Panama sleaze or during Britain’s
preparation for 2016 budget? Is it an annual event? If so, when was it held
last year? Who is a fool Mr. Cameron? Or who is Mr. Cameron fooling?
What can be
more aptly tagged as political corruption than Cameron briefing Her Majesty,
the Queen of England, about his
‘urgent ‘summit on corruption? It was simply an unsolicited memo to redeem his
failing moral legitimacy arising from the damning Panama corruption report,
using Nigeria’s name to launder his image before the Queen.
According to
the embattled Prime Minister of Britain, Nigeria is “fantastically corrupt.” Is
Nigeria the only country attending the summit?
In a quick
bid to frustrate the cheap popularity strategy of Cameron, the Archbishop of Canterbury quipped, “But the current president is not corrupt.” A
disappointed Cameron was ignored by the Queen, who only said “Yes” to the
Archbishop of Canterbury’s testimony that President Buhari is not corrupt.
Cameron’s political script collapsed!
Britain has
paraded an impressive record of achievements in the past centuries. Closely
guarded, even more than her laws, is the moral legitimacy of her rulers – a
praxis that has distinguished her in the comity of nations. It will be
disappointing to let go of such sterling record of achievement to protect or please
a ‘clever’ Prime Minister!
Once an
expose of the nature of Panama Papers is in the open, the appropriate thing to
do is to resign. Despite the protest from Labour and beyond 11, Downing Street,
the world is still looking up to the British Parliament to create room for the
election of a new prime minister. The Queen too must be thinking hard.
If Panama is
unresolved, what is more to debate in a world summit on corruption where Mr.
Cameron will deliver the opening speech? What a global convergence with a
single-minded “conspiracy” to kill Panama Papers and legalise corruption!
The banner
of trust hangs on the British Parliament to do the needful on the Panama
documents, for the parliament in Britain is beyond the United Kingdom. It is a
parliament of the Commonwealth of Nations. There cannot be double standards.
God forbid!
The sordid
details of Panama Papers have been played out in the open. More lurid details
are on the way, according to the whistleblower. The integrity of everyone in
the Parliament is under surveillance. Parliament members who were caught in scandals
of lesser magnitude than Panama Papers in the past took the honorable way of
resignation. Perhaps Mr. Cameron is above the law. Or is it a case of double
standards? It had better not be!
Mr. Cameron
has been quoted as saying the week that the Panama outrage first seeped into
public consciousness was not an easy week for him! How could it have been an
easy week? Corruption is never easy business!
One hopes
Mr. Cameron would be kind enough to return the portion of the proceeds that
were traced to Britain before the loot finds its way back to Panama.
(NationalMirror)
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