Yes, Nigeria Is Fantastically Corrupt (OPINION)

By Don Uba (08020841576)

It is no longer news that the British Prime Minister, PM, labeled Nigeria as a “Fantastically Corrupt” country while in a private discussion in London during a summit on “Anti-Corruption Conference with the Queen of England.

But what most Nigerians have forgotten so quickly or are pretending not to know is that “a dog answers the name given to it by the owner”.

Since the inception of the Buhari Mohammadu led government last May 29, 2015, he has not kept anyone in doubt that he sees the past leaderships of this nation as the “most corrupt people”.

Since Buhari took over office from Dr. Goodluck Jonathan he has been on the aircrafts more than he has stayed in his Aso Villa Office and has been making the whole world believe that Nigeria which he oversees is even “criminally corrupt”.

 We should be rejoicing that the British PM, David Cameron garnished the insult so to speak with a little respect, by saying “Fantastically Corrupt” despite the fact that the president of Nigeria has labeled us somehow as “Criminally Corrupt People” before now.

I have been wondering what corruption looks like since that statement became a worldwide issue, and have been trying to deduce its meaning in my own way.

Being corrupt according to Oxford Learners Dictionary means “people willing to use their power to do dishonest or illegal things in return for money or to get an advantage”.

We can also get ‘Corrupt regime” “corrupt officials accept bribes” among others.

Let us look at this corruption from this angle which is mine “corruption is not only the means of acquiring illegal wealth by milking a nation’s fund dry but also doing things without following due process and disobeying the rule of law”.

It is no doubt that Cameron was quoted out of context, because he must have had in his mind, the meaning of corruption of my own definition.

Is it not corruption that Buhari is circled by some officials as ministers who had in one way or the other amassed wealth illegally or used their authority while as Governors intimidated their political opponents or even caused others to die?

Or is it not corruption for Buhari to have told us that he borrowed money to buy his presidential nomination form when his daughter was and still schooling at one of the most expensive institution in the United Kingdom? No wonder that he did not want to demand apology from the prime minister.

Is it not corruption that caused Buhari till now not to tell us those that funded his campaign activities and how much that was expended?

   

What is it if only those that are being prosecuted for a crime in the name of corruption are only members of a particular political party, while those in the same political party with Buhari have become “Saint” over night?

When a competent court gives order and someone in power did otherwise, is not that being above the law? And is someone who is above the law not corrupt? This is the angle Cameron must have come from.

In fact, Cameron deserves our apology because he only told us the bitter truth like one of the bitter truths Jesus Christ told Pilate as narrated in the bible.

Corruption is when the police still collect money from motorists with intimidation and threats to their lives and that of the passengers while carrying guns that do not belong to them.

Corruption is when a president appoints over 50 persons all from his geo political zone or tribe so as to cover up his sins while in office and thereafter.

Corruption is certainly when it was shown on the television and announced on radios that seized goods, especially eatable ones and clothings would be given to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at some camps in the nation only for the items to develop wings while others in the South East are being neglected from the body.

If someone seeking to be a president promised to make life meaningful for the people and on getting the position things changed to the worst, is it not being corrupt?

Promise and not being able to fulfill the promises is inevitably corruption. I stand to be challenged. I think, it is high time we change the “change”.

Mohammadu Buhari promised to give Nigerians Petroleum Motor Sprint, PMS, at the cost of N40, but ended up announcing that the product is N145 per litre after hoarding the products for over 90 days, that caused unwarranted suffering to Nigerians.

How does corruption look like? Can someone please educate me? I cannot be deceived into believing that Buhari is fighting corruption, but can immediately agree that he is only on a “revenge mission” attacking arresting, witch-hunting and prosecuting those he perceived as enemies.

David Cameron only leaked the examination questions to us before the sitting and it is left for us to take corrections and put a blockage to every loophole that might lead to corrupt acts as jailing everyone cannot save us and it is not the best option let Buhari showcase his blueprint and let the Budget start running.

As far as I am concerned, Cameron was in order even as I am seeing this present administration as the most corrupt so far. Recently, a bailout fund was released for some Governors, who belong to the President’s party, even though some were given to the opposition Governors. I am aware that the fund is only a “thank you” fund as against the “Bailout” fund we were meant to believe can Buhari boldly tell the Governors to render account of the bailout fund?

If not that what has the President say about some governors who have misappropriate theirs?

Certainly, Cameron has exposed Buhari and our president is not complaining because his antics have been made public. If he is not afraid of being exposed I dare him to demand an apology from the PM. He cannot surround himself with the most criminally corrupt persons, while he claims to be fighting corruption.

Exposing those that have returned their loots money made through corruption practices, is not what we need now. What we want this particular point in time is for him to seat down and prefer solutions to the economic hardship that is trying to sniff life out of our lives by coming down from the sky, and concentrating in the everyday running of the nation.

In terms of the budget that was recently passed, which can be termed as “the longest serving budget at the senate”, it was accusations and counter accusations between the presidency and the legislature before it was given the president’s accent.

From missing to padding and deduction to appropriation Nigerians waited and waited in suffering and confusion before the budget saw the light of the day.

This was a clear sign that this Government was not prepared to govern positively but were only interested in taking over power and doing nothing with it. Bring down Jonathan was their slogan then. Now Jonathan is out, what or who’s next

Being in power without knowing the rudiments of leadership is “corruption in the highest order of the Niger’, CHON, after all Buhari agreed in an interview with the Sky News Diplomatic Editor, Dominic Waghorn, that “Nigeria is corrupt”.

Information has it that the British government surprised Buhari on the occasion when he was presented with the names of Nigerians who have their loots at various banks in the United Kingdom, lo and behold, it was Rotimi Amaechi’s name was the first on the list.

You can describe Amaechi as the “Dasuki of APC” according to my friend and colleague Comrade Chidiebube Okeoma. The president should know that Nigerians are not interested on the names he intends to reveal come because they are aware he is out to tarnish the image of some selected political enemies from the majority, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

For him to be serious in his alleged fight against corruption, he should first, look into his activities while he was Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF. Off course, he must hand over to his aide Professor Yemi Osibanjo, while the probe lasts.

He should be aware that “He who wants to come to equity” must not only come with cleans hands”, but certainly be thorough in his dealings whether present or in the past. Buhari cannot be a pot, which is used on firewood fire, and is calling at a kettle used on a stove “black”.

It is very unfortunate that almost one year in office the Buhari Government has not carried out anything promised to Nigerians, but has ended up adding more injuries to our afflictions, thereby causing the gnashing of teeth and death unprepared to many Nigerian.

No wonder many of our Youths have decided to leave the country in droves doing all they can to skyrocket out of the Nigeria as our own president that is governing the country from the sky.

Let Buhari look inwards first and discover that he surrounded himself with wolves and he cannot deny this. Since he could not mention the names of the alleged corrupt Nigerians last Sunday, he should know that he has succeeded in shooting, himself on the foot, and healing is not in sight. Even if he does that now, the damage has already taken place. Unpreparedness, you may say.

The likes of his current lieutenants, who I do not want to mention now are expected to before now return their loots, not only in cash, but in property and many other assets.

So, it is the expectation of Nigerians, especially my humble self that Buhari should let us know them. I will not be surprised if he finally neglect to reveal the names as threatened, because himself is involved, including the Boulevard man from Lagos State.

Therefore, I am waiting for his “Lying” Mohammed to shamely come out to defend him without having the knowledge that what he will be trying to defend is indefensible.

Lying is also corruption, so Cameron must have deduced all these indices before coming out with his verdict. Yes now, promising without fulfilling intentionally is “absolute corruption”, even “corruption in the highest order” as I earlier stated.   

 PHOTO: President Buhari With British Prime Minister, David Cameron In London

Don Uba is a journalist and writes from Orlu Imo State