President Muhammadu Buhari, was recently reported to have expressed frustrations on the anti-corruption drive being prosecuted by regime stating that some persons who have enriched themselves through corrupt means are now using those stolen funds in their fight-back against the war against corruption.
The President’s Media Aide, Femi Adesina, told reporters that Buhari spoke at a meeting with the American Secretary of State, John Kerry, on the margins of conference on climate change, COP22, in Marrakech, Morocco where he stated that corruption was fighting back vigorously but gave the assurance that surely it is a war that would be won.
Following this, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has said the President’s statement is one which shows will but also reflect weaknesses that call for introspection as far as regime’s the anti-corruption drive is concerned.
The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran posited that, “the President’s statement portrays that the government should move beyond lamentations and confront the corrupt elements who are fighting back. It is should not be a thing of surprise to the President that corruption fights back wherever it is fought. Thus, any serious anti-corruption drive would have envisaged corruption fighting back and would have prepared methodologies to confront such manifestations.
“It is like telling the obvious by saying that the Nigerian government and public service has for a very long time been dominated by corrupt officials and public servants, making the fight against corruption a difficult one given the humongous ill-gotten wealth at the disposal of these beneficiaries of sleaze and sharp practices.” Adeniran added.
Continuing, he said, “therefore, what the government needs to do, is not allow already anticipated challenges of the fight against corruption to impede the movement and momentum of the war against corruption beyond expressions of frustrations.”
“Basically, the anti-corruption agencies need to be strengthened with sufficient funding, manpower, and there must be training and re-training of personnel. Also, reforms of some laws inhibiting the work of anti-corruption agencies and the enactment of new laws must be done to facilitate an environment where corrupt elements will not be able to escape the wrath of the law willy-nilly.”
“President Buhari should realize the strength of the constitution and use it to the maximum, if there are laws that should be improved upon, then constitutional processes should be utilized to seek amendmendents to make the fight against corruption effective and with respect for fundamental human rights. We are asking the President to do the needful to intensify the crackdown on corruption.” He concluded.
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