On the various wars against corruption - Vanguard

Written by Douglas Anele

Sunday, 02 December 2007

IN our discussion last week, I argued that some aspects of the 2008 budget presented by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua confirms the philosophy of Animal Farm which has guided Nigerian rulers in the discharge of their duties. Specifically, I maintained that the ruling class are spiritually barren, which is why they see public office as an avenue to make life extremely comfortable for themselves, whereas, the sufferings and deprivations of underprivileged compatriots mean nothing to them. Lack of spiritual stamina in Nigeria rulers manifests strongly in the unserious wars against corruption declared by several administrations in the country. When he took over power in July 29, 1975, late Murtala Ramat Mohammed told Nigerians that he was going to fight corruption. He did not achieve much because of Dimka’s coup which led to his death in February 13, 1976. His successor, Olusegun Obasanjo, had neither the will nor the burning desire to combat corruption. He was more preoccupied with handing over power to civilians in October 1, 1979. During Shehu Shagari’s tenure, corruption continued unabated. Stealing of public funds by top government officials, import license fraud, reckless spending of public funds coupled with drastic reduction in revenue from crude oil led to severe depression of Nigeria’s economy. Muhammadu Buhari succeeded Shagari on December 31, 1983. He proclaimed the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) in order to eradicate corruption. Military tribunals were created to try politicians, and those convicted were given long jail terms and their properties seized by the federal military government. In spite of their mistakes, especially in the area of human rights, Buhari and his deputy, late Tunde Idiagbon, sincerely tried to stem corruption in the country. Ibrahim Babangida replaced Buhari on August 27,1985. Corruption, both in public and private domains of our national life, was almost elevated to the status of an art during his tenure. Full Story