The Case Against Corruption: A Cupric Engagement

Dr. Sylvester Omosun-Fadal

California. USA

There seem to be an intensity of energy as it relates to voicing concerns about corruption in Nigeria. These alignment towards a cause however seem to yield nothing over the years but a cumbersome engagement on the part of the writers.

True, there have been various recommendations over the past weeks by varied writers on how to address corruption issues in Nigeria. These apple-to-apple strategies coupled with some reasonable or intentionally flawed fallacious analysis shows the gap in understanding of the prevailing culture in Nigeria. No matter how much we sometimes think we understand the system, one (those resident in other countries) could be gone so long that yearly or bi-yearly visits, daily doses of Nigeria-related internet news and frequent calls does not suffice for a clear knowledge of popular happenings. Some of these articles show a gap in understanding that there is no set quality portal to measuring or tracking Nigerian’s corruption level.

The commonality of thoughts among these considerate writers is that corruption is the norm in Nigeria though embraced more by the most-corrupt -prone individuals. The call for a custom solution is perhaps a waste of time. The call for outright resignation seem reasonable but won’t happen. These dream weaver concepts, alongside seeking proof or waiting for the system to wear itself out before a resolution or meaningful action can be taken, does not apply to third world countries and most likely, never will in the next few generations. I empathize with Paul Adujie because he is quite passionate about his messages and recommendations. Though objective and reasonable, they are just very abstract from how the Nigerian system works. Some people hate the truth and would crucify those that seek or speak it.

The consoling caveat is the agreement from most people that corruption should be stopped. The process of espousing corruptive individuals and the ethnic cries of some people who view ethnicity as the underlying cornerstone to any action is what creates the perceived divergent reactions and resistance to establishing agendas or boundaries on curtailing this evil act. It is obvious that the unification of voices as it relates to corruption is not enough. Sometimes, the approach simply leads to a conspiracy that trickles into selective acts and could be used as a process of elimination of those who stand as obstacles to the growth of others. A clear example of this act s the recent call by Buba Marwa on VP Atiku to resign. This conspiracy approach, if used selfishly, as part of a united voice against corruption, will definitely benefit Marwa who has a clear vested interest in the presidency in 2007.

What Nigerians should seek is collaboration and expediency on the part of OBJ as we could be divided from a broad-based perspective but yet willing to collaborate in fighting corruption if some ethnic groups are not segmented, isolated and treated differently. There is no cemented appropriate faculty of process as it relates to corruption analysis and the crusade against it. It may be best to focus on an effective and immediate resolution rather than attempting to explore the minds of corrupt criminals, as this is virtually impossible.

Belief Systems

Belief systems are developed or built from the physical, experiential, and knowledge windows. To shift a belief system, regardless of the intended direction of the change, requires extensive efforts. The consequences or benefits of the change must be well pronounced. Those championing the change must build a strong sense of volitional devotion to succeed. Are Nigerians ready for a shift in their belief systems?

The Enablers

There is a subtle or sometimes obvious, but highly powerful driver that enables people to adopt a style. The enablers of corruption in Nigeria are (a) Poverty, (b) Poor Leadership, (c) Integrity and (d) Indiscipline.

The level of poverty is directly proportional to the level to which, individuals are willing to compromise their integrity in most cases.
The level of leadership or non-thereof from an evaluative standpoint is directly proportional to the level of poverty and the level to which, citizens are willing to compromise their integrity for basic survival.
The level of indiscipline on the part of parents that continue to have multiple progeny in the face of
1. abject poverty knowing they can’t afford to feed these children,
2. bad or horrible leaders, knowing that these doomed leaders will continue to create regressive programs, and
3. weak integrity and values options, knowing the situations they are bringing these children into.

Recognizing these enablers, it is clear that the problem of corruption will remain unless these issues are addressed. The citizens of the nation must be positioned to say “no” to temptation to commit corruption. The environment at this time does not allow that.

Who Isn’t Corrupt?

Reality is, who isn’t corrupt in a system that encourages corruption as a get-rich-quick means? Is it the spare part dealers at Mile 2, the money seeking church pastors, the check-point police officers, the bank cashier or manager, the relative assisting with a project while you are sending them the money from Japan, the USA or Britain?

Once again, tell me who isn’t corrupt? If these elements are all prone to compromising their integrity, what do we expect from politicians that view their positions as a multi-faceted opportunity for wealth?

Who isn’t corrupt in a system that doesn’t reward honesty? Politicians don’t load money into their pockets or suitcases when they travel. They use devious bank officials, accomplices and other officers to drain off the allocations of their states into foreign bank accounts. They have supporters in their games. Some of them live right next to you in the USA. Their job is to help launder money while running conjured businesses.

Are passengers turned armed robbers on expressways or college lecturers that design selfish driven curriculums for easy wealth and sexual immorality less corrupt than our politicians? From the cause and effect standpoint, our politicians are the most corrupt.

Governors and Presidential Teams

Politicians represent the people. They have absolute control of the money that is meant for the development of the state and people. State governors have to be watched closely as we do the presidential office. What is killing the nation’s citizens right now is the actions of the state governors. They are corrupt beyond redemption. We don’t need any proof to outline these claims. Their level of greed grows as they get closer to the end of their tenure in office.

They are horrible in their goal of creating as much wealth as they can without any regards for the people they represent. They are innately competitive among themselves and they are amoral to the core. They compete to outwit the wealth of each other. When one steals a $1M the other seek to steal $10M, upping their level of greed each time. They are devilish and orchestrates cultism in colleges by using these gullible students to intimidate or eliminate those that question their actions.

Our state governors need to be ringed in by OBJ quickly and fiercely. They are off the tip of the corruption chart in their actions. They are eclipsing the most unimaginable level of corruption ever seen in Nigeria. The arrest of Alamieyeseigha is a wash. He will walk and return to his ways. His arrest only created bubbles that will not last long. We have seen this happen before and nothing came out of it. The London Metropolitan Police needs to straighten its act and detain these individuals without bail if they want to make a true statement. These propaganda arrests are getting old and sickening. They have tried this sort of press misinformation arrest in the past with several governors and elected officials and nothing tangible ever happened.

I have over the past few months spoken in support of OBJ’s corruption drive. I am fully against corruption but if consequences are not commensurate to the crime committed when people are caught, then, I am no longer interested in wasting my precious evenings writing about these snail pace actions. I am very disappointed to say the least. I resisted writing about VP Atiku despite all the information I gathered and read about his fraudulent acts because it is again, a battle that will lead to no change. It is a cupric engagement. We can vent all we want. It will make no difference unless OBJ is willing to clean his acts and take swift, strong actions against official and unofficial (Chris Uba) governors.

Corruption Architecture

If one sounds out a known name in Nigeria today, there will be some sort of a corruptive edge to them excepting great men that have fought against corruption all their lives (Gani Fawehimi, etc) and held no positions of opportunity. Corruption is a behavioral act often driven by some sort of a psychological reaction to extenuating poverty or in the case of our politicians, greed for excessive wealth.

Corruption among a system could be extensive and deep. The fingers of most past leaders have been soiled one way or another. The fingers of our politicians past and current are stained and contaminated. No exemptions. OBJ may be trying to curtail it but his non-response to the alleged house that was purchased by his son in the United States doesn’t help validate his true intents? He is not excluded from accountability. We have to be balanced in our criticism. If he can’t clearly address his personal integrity issues, why must Atiku be held accountable? Why should NEPA officials be held accountable? Why should the man that tried selling my house in Lagos with false documents be held accountable? The actions of corrupt Nigerians are predictive. It is a looping process that must be cut or else, it will continue to run from one government to another.

Leadership Modeling/Recommendation for Change

Those caught stealing or found to suddenly have excessive wealth with no verifiable source of earnings should be tried. They should be made to lose it all and sentenced to jail for a measurable amount of time or for life based on the severity of their actions. The level of financial violation should dictate the level of consequence. Here is my recommendation:

Option 1: SPTF (Steal, Proven, Tried, and Forfeiture of everything)

Option 2: SPTFJ (Steal, Proven, Tried, Forfeiture and Jail time)

Option 3: SPTFL (Steal, Proven, Tried, Forfeiture and Life in Prison)

Option 4: SPTFE (Steal, Proven, Tried, Forfeiture and Execution)

The above model must be further explored, analyzed and designed in-depth. I made it simple to ensure that all Nigerians understand it. There is no need to design a 500-page corruption eradication strategic plan. A 20-page document will do. I have further segmented the above synopsis into detail and is running close to 15 pages at this time. The model targets accomplices as well as crime committers. The dimensions of application will be formal and informal to ensure that it is (a) concurrent, (b) dependent on violations, and (c) hierarchical and also horizontal in some sort of a matrix system of management. The investigation and operations approaches will follow a mechanism that ensures an ongoing check and balance of the matrix (independent committee) and hierarchical (governmental agency).

To accomplish any kind of corruption curtailment, OBJ has to lead by example. I agree that he is attempting to do just that but continue to fall short in his actions. He can’t sing to the press about his deputy and expect to be respected. Positive feedback can be done in public but if negative, it is recommended that it stays private, specific, gentle and direct.

OBJ needs to address the issue of corruption relating to his clan. He needs to be a true representative of all stakeholders, the citizens.

Analysis of the Recommendation Process

The corruption eradication model can be managed by concurrently running agendas to resolve and curtail corruption at all levels both formally as stated above and informally. For instance, a task force could be established to report to the head of the formal structure, as no government will allow a completely independent structure for fear of self-incrimination. This is clearly indicated by the puppetry EFCC. The informal independent task force will report to an empowered and highly independent panel with an equal level of authority as the head of the formal structure. The Oputa panel comes to mind. However, in this case, the panel will have the power to summon and discipline those that fail to adhere to its call like IBB did to the Oputa panel. I will save the details for a later publication.

When an issue is of a central concern, it is best to address it. It is known that human are selfish in nature and acts in ways that promote self-interest. This unprincipled nature should not mean a complete disregard for everyone else. It does not mean a complete gravitation to unethical acts. It does not grant the right to be champions of corruption or all things evil. We need to build diamonds of these people and someday, we may see the positive aspects of some governors come to light…perhaps in future generations.