From Budgetgate to Ikoyigate: Unending Scandals in NigeriaByVictor E. Dikevdike@cwnet.comEvery week seems to turn up a new scandal and or a set of revelations of corrupt practices in one department or the other in Nigeria. It is becoming almost impossible to keep track of the number. A succession of panels and commissions has unveiled a wide variety of misdeeds in the political circle, and some Ministers have been disgraced yet scandals in Nigerian political life appear unending. In the past two weeks Nigeria has witnessed two serious scandals - the ‘Budgetgate’ (the 2005 budget scandal involving Prof. Osuji and some members of the Education Committee in the National Assembly and ‘Ikoyigate’ (improper allocation of Federal Government properties at Ikoyi). Those implicated in the scandal are always in self-denial, and each time the scandals would assume a larger dimension. The ‘Budgetgate’ implicated a Minister (and others yet to be revealed) and some members of the National Assembly, but the ‘Ikoyigate’ is widespread, involving 207 or more Nigerians, among them are some individuals we thought would do no wrong. This group includes Governors, Ministers, National Assembly, the President’s extended family, et cetera. Nigerians seem to have become accustomed to the drama of scandals and have taken it as the ‘Nigerian Way.’ Sadly, bribery and corruption is fast becoming an integral part of the Nigerian culture.
We do not mean to give the impression that there are not corrupt activities in other societies. Yes, there are, but the strange thing about Nigeria is that at each scandal those implicated would claim that it was outright false, even if the evidences were being dangled on their faces. We know they are irresponsible and liars who steal without fear of reprisal because the system is impotent. But in many organized societies, politicians and civil servants (and CEOs) implicated in scandals would accept their guilt, apologize, resign and serve the jail terms (if convicted) as required by the law. But in Nigeria everyone is innocent - the ‘Budgetgate’ and ‘Ikoyigate’ are being disputed. Even Chief Chris Uba is feigning innocence, so is General Ibrahim B. Babangida, Tafa Balogun, Dr. Julius Makanjuola, Dr. Chris Ngige, Joshua Dariye, Authur F. Nzeribe and those that perpetuated the frauds during the 2003 politics. If everyone is innocent, why is Nigeria scandal-ridden?
There are profusion of allegations, both proved and unproved, that strewn the political landscape. Is Nigeria becoming the scandal headquarters of the world? Or is what is happening in Nigeria a pawn in the scandals that occur in other societies? The commonest form of bribery in Nigeria is paying politicians to facilitate passage of budget, to award government contracts to their friends or relations, and buying government properties through the backdoor. This is called quid pro quo (something given or received for something; or illegally giving something of value to a person in other to get something in return - a favor, et cetera). This hampers transparency, accountability and good governance. Does Nigeria have any value system? Is corruption a deep-seated habit embedded in the subconscious of Nigerian leaders? The success of a people is, in many cases, attributed to the value system of the society.
With the rampant scandals in the society the public has grown increasingly cynical about the integrity of public officials and the ability of the government to solve local, state and national problems. Despite great optimism that the OBJ administration would mark the beginning of a new era of integrity in government, the opposite has occurred. The administration has ushered in an era of unprecedented public integrity havoc. Public service ethics has greatly diminished, leading to the vast array of problems facing the society today. Is Nigeria condemned to a perpetual oscillation between happiness and misery?
The chaotic and scandalous situation in the society has deepened. The question is, can scandals ever be reduced in Nigeria? Nigerian politicians do not seem to worry about the damage caused by scandals because some of them are condoning scandalous behaviors. The politicians have no principle to protect and scandals seem to bring them to political limelight and their kinsmen and women would be jeering them for getting their share of the national cake. But in civilized societies political scandals go with huge consequences. Those politicians have their ideology to protect and would not want to compromise it with any unpardonable political crime. And any politician embroiled in any scandals will lose the much-valued public support. Thus, major scandals are political death warrants because political parities will avoid the person like a plague. This condition helps to keep the politicians in check and strengthen the democratic foundations of the society. But, as noted earlier, anything goes in Nigeria!
How can Nigeria purify the civil service and build a model of the ideal public servant where successful citizens would take on public responsibilities and then return to their private lives after serving honorably? Is the entrenched social injustice in the society responsible for the upsurge in political scandals? According to Daniel Webster, "Justice is the ligament which holds civilized beings and civilized nations together." The reputation of Nigeria’s justice system, which should ensure justice is done to the accused, has been badly tarnished by corruption. And presently domestic businesses collude with foreign businesses to commit fraud in Nigeria. There are, among others, cases of some Nigerians colluding with some Indian corporations to bring in fake drugs in the country. Also not long ago some Nigerians in the position of authority helped Halliburton, an American oil corporation, to evade paying some million-dollar taxes after getting their hands greased.
Nigeria should criminalize the giving or taking of bribes or public servants and leaders taking undue advantage of their official position. Can any person in the National Assembly introduce an anti-bribery bill and work to pass it into law? The violators of the anti-bribery law should serve a jail term commensurate to the crime committed, and if possible, hang the individual. A drastic measure seems the only thing that can deter the criminals. Simply dismissing those found corrupt from office (as Mr. President did in the cases of Tafa Balogun, Mrs. Mobolaji Osomo and Prof. Fabian Osuji, et cetera) is not a good enough. Everyone should be made to face the consequences of his or her action. One wonders when Nigeria would get its act together! Any person found corrupt should be prevented from holding public positions in future. And domestic corporations that collude with foreign corporations to commit fraud in Nigeria should be blacklisted and prevented from operating in the society. A well-intentioned law would not be effective in tackling the monster, if it is not properly implemented. Therefore, tougher actions are required if Nigeria is really determined to tackle bribery and corruption. Nigerians should raise their voices in protest if nothing serious is done about it!
Victor E. Dike, CEO, Center for Social Justice and Human Development (CSJHD), in Sacramento, California
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