Nigerian Corruption

Nigerian Corruption: Unending discoveries

Abbas A. Dikko

Immediately after the return of democratic rule in Nigeria, on May 29, 1999, Nigerians were awashed by the elected government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of the unprecedented level of theft said to have been perpetrated by the military regime of Late Gen. Sani Abacha. Millions of Nigerians were aghast by the gory revelations of stealing that was alleged, took place in his five years military administration. Many condemned the nauseating atrocities, several others welcome, praised and applauded the action of Obasanjo’s government resolved to trap and recover all the looted Abacha monies, while some remain adamant and mute as if they knew, Obasanjo too, would fall in the same line if not even worst as predicated in his eight years tenure.

The most interesting aspect of all, people thought the end or tendency to corruption has come, therefore, the country is wittingly on its way to sanity, serenity and vanity, its economic fortunes would be uplifted and re-directed for the benefit of all and, good and purposeful governance would be the mainstay in the country. Unfortunately, three to four years into the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, there came an astonishing revelation from the report of the Transparency International that his democratic government was the most corrupt in the history of our nationhood and number one in the world. Worst still, the abuses were confirmed more committed in the presidency.

However, the electrifying report, never go down well with the presidency, it became offensive and soon began to device and designed deceptive and diversionary antics to cover-up their ugly deeds. Politics, triviality and other sentiments were imported to douse the devastating revelations and tension that greeted the country, ignoring the supposed measures to have been taken to unearth the culprits and punished them accordingly in order to forestall or put a halt to the ungodliness.

Obasanjo and his men in government, knows full well that stopping this charlatan act is as good as refining the system and that would be a poser and likely bring to an end, their devilish activities. Finances for sponsoring such ill-will and misrule, would be thwarted and their inordinate ambition terminated. These are actions that were unbudgeted for, because it contrast with the civil, democratic and social order, hence, the only source were monies budgeted for projects that would improved the economic wellbeing of the nation, be deliberately diverted to execute their self-serving motives which facilitated corruption to its highest degree Nigerians ever experienced in their life time.

This however, became completely damning; many hands were involved including that of the president that too, made the following year assessment report not too good from the former, which gave birth to the struggled for tenure elongation as a grand designed to cover-up their misdeeds, but, out of God’s infinite mercies, that too, failed. Soon after, project ‘B’ came at play, manipulating the electoral processes to install a stooge with the ulterior motive of remote controlling him to whichever direction they so deemed.

Before these discoveries, many had expressed their disappointment and dissatisfaction, condemning the government of Obasanjo in its entirety for monumental failure and corruption, few with smaller minds disagree with their ratings and reservations. But today, every passing day, there appears on the pages of newspapers, missing millions and billions of naira and dollars carted away by Obasanjo and his men while in office.

However, before the public hearing took center stage by the legislative arm of government, we read the report of NEITI about missing monies in the oil sector which was corroborated by RMAFC, we heard Permanent Secretary Bureau of Public Service Reform, attestation of missing monies, we saw the PTDF saga, Local/Federal government joint funding for primary health care center at all the 774 local council headquarters in the country, mismanagement of resettlement funds of the Bakassi peninsula people, UBE funds, NITEL/Pentascope saga among select few.

Soon after the pronouncement by President Yar’Adua at a meeting with the World Bank vice president, Oby Ezekwesile that Obasanjo misappropriated $10 billion power funds, it triggered up the National Assembly to organize public hearings as being part of their oversight functions in order to unravel the mysteries. That became the beginning of the uncovering and counter uncovering of the Obasanjo and his men financial misconducts committed during his eight years reign. The unending discoveries continue with the recent in the Works, Transport, Aviation and of all the Oil sector which, when publish, I am afraid, Nigeria would cease to breath for some minutes.

The forceful eviction of Obasanjo out of power and the coming into the realm of affairs of their stage-managed president brought some succour on Nigerians. Many believed, notwithstanding of Yar’Adua’s being their surrogate, the end of Obasanjo’s thrashes has finally come and, the beginning of wisdom and new dawn would take center stage. Yar’Adua, came on board with his seven point agenda, one among, is the continuation of corruption fight with a new facelift that, there would be no sacred cow. He was hailed and applauded, but, the opposition rule-out his ability to garner the courage to prosecute these people that masterminded his way to presidency.

Many Nigerians disagree with their analyses, but today, here we are. How does one define Yar’Adua’s allegiance to corruption fight, when he was seen walking hand-in-shake with former governors allegedly accused of stealing public funds and standing trails in the courts of law? Of recent, he was categorical to tell who ever care to listen, that he would not probe and prosecute the immediate past government of Olusegun Obasanjo, therefore, what would one imagine will be the out come and the end result of these public hearings with all the damaging revelations so far, against his political associates, mentors and godfather?

One wonder, why some of these accomplices that partook in these illegitimate acts of stealing, remain walking head-high, robbing shoulders with the existing government, freely attending all manner of functions; official and none, refusing to appear before the public hearing to defend their action or otherwise?

Another point of note again, is the recent Adamawa State saga, after all the glaring charges of financial and administrative misfit against the governor. It would be immoral on the part of the presidency and PDP government that said to be fighting a holistic cause against corruption to wield into these condemnable atrocities of the governor, calling it a family affair in order to save his ass. This is no doubt, a cheat on Adamawa State citizenry and breach of trust, for one who claimed having won their mandate, to corner their patrimony into a personal estate.

In fact, it would bemuse any serious minded person to watch the presidency supporting this kind of anarchy at this material time, indeed, it’s absolutely negating on their sincerity and commitment to the Nigerian project. No serious and conscious government would allow itself to be embroiled into this type of misnomer, after all its proclamation and stand against corruption and strict compliance to due process and rule of law. Obviously, there are still more to be done in this country.