After politicians made various pledges and promises before the election, Nigerians gave them the mandate to take charge of their affairs. In turn, they all thanked us for the confidence we reposed on them. Months after, we are yet to see any fulfilment of heaven and earth pledges and promises made.
So far nothing has been done to revamp the falling in standard of education, rehabilitate rundown infrastructure and tackle the erratic power supply. Many of the elected officials seem to be serving themselves rather than the people whom they promised to serve.
Most of the elected officials are getting the dividends of democracy, but not millions of Nigerians. Nothing concrete is in place to really economically empower those who are not well-connected except to make those who are already fed to continue eating more of the pie.
Democracy is good if politicians religiously observe and adhere to the rules of the game. However, the future of democracy in Nigeria is threatened if we do not renew our resolve to fight corruption. Nigeria is considered a poor country because large chunk of resources are deemed to have been siphoned out of Nigeria for personal gains. Economic opportunities for growth have been wasted on the platter of corruption.
The economy usually nosedives when ‘political predators’ turned their arsenals on the main granary in the now infamous Goldenberg larceny? The rate with which some state governors, deputy governors, and local government chairs are widely alleged to have used public funds for personal purposes has gone far beyond the highest measure on the Richter scale.
Yes Nigerians opted for democracy. They hope doing that could help in cleaning up the mess left by the constipating eating chiefs of the former regimes. Ironically, some of their collaborators are today key players in the present dispensation. The journey to the Promised Land, which began, with an innocent former inmate who was punished unjustly is, however, encountering many obstacles even among his trusted friends. Take a look at the administration’s reform agenda, the level of support enjoyed even among those close to Aso Rock number one occupier is less than 10 per cent.
On May 29, 1999 Nigerians were rated as the most optimistic people on earth despite the dark days of the military rule. Obviously one could read this on their faces when you meet them on the streets and other forums. Unfortunately, this is being replaced by a sense of disillusionment and sense of regret.
It is therefore necessary to take a journey through our consciences as leaders and followers to find where slipped. But what are we doing wrong? Defending ourselves even when the truth is evident? Many despite threat to their lives and that of their families have chosen to speak up and give information where public funds are hidden. They are motivated by higher ideals that we are perhaps lacking. The real motivation to fight corruption has to come from ourselves.
Although efforts are being made to fight corruption even at a higher level, corruption thrives in our part of the world because it has been glorified and looters can as well in turn enjoy their loots. Thereafter they can get chieftaincy tittles from every corner of Nigeria with all traditional rulers falling on one another to recognize their ‘worthy sons and daughters’ for a job well-done.
The culture of corruption has become so entrenched that the fainthearted cannot imagine that the problem can be eradicated or even contained. But there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. Interestingly various Western governments have pledged to assist Nigeria.
Recent newspapers report indicated that the US government has revoked the visas of corrupt Nigeria officials. This cooperation is a welcome development. Should other governments follow suit the likes of the late Sani Abacha would have been prevented from surreptitiously keeping public funds in private accounts.
The current tempo should be sustained, never letting off. The fight has to be waged even right there in Aso Rock Villa. There cannot be sacred cows. It has to be systematic and persistent else the battle is lost.
While various Western governments are cooperating, back home all various commissions empowered under the law to arrest and prosecute corrupt officials must be strengthened. The cases must be quickly disposed off with no room for frivolous adjournments. The heads of anti-corruption commissions should have security of tenure to enable him to operate without any fear. All reports of corrupt enrichment should be properly investigated. That means there must be development of human capital to really do the job.
The prosecution of public officers should be accompanied with prosecution of private sector or any other accomplices. Any serving leaders being investigated for corruption should automatically step aside to allow free and fair investigation. But the question is how many leaders have stepped on allegation of corruption? I have never found one. Instead they hold on while engaging brilliant lawyers to either technically extricate them or delay prosecution on frequent adjournment.
Above all, Nigerians must shun those who try the tired old trick of calling on their communities to support them when accused of corruption. Thieves do not steal for communities but for themselves and families. Leaders who abuse office for personal gain must be ready to carry their own cross.
During political campaign, politicians impliedly promised Nigerians zero tolerance on corruption. They must deliver on it for confidence to be sustained. Let us not spend too much of our energies on our politics of ethnicity, but rather deal with the yoke of the corruption which denies Nigeria prosperity and wealth creation.
The lesson we have to learn in Nigeria is simple: there cannot be growth of much magnitude when there are many drain pipes. Politics would merely be seen as the surest way to serve family members and lackeys and not the vast majority of people.
*Odesola contributes this piece from Lusaka, Zambia