By Chidozie Egbuna
When is Nigeria going to get a Jerry Rawlings to arise and
redeem what is left of Nigeria before Armageddon dawns on us?
There is a good reason why Nigeria earned the notorious honor of
being the world’s most corrupt nation. We have our thieving politicians
to thank for this accolade. The masses that tolerate this wanton abuse
by those in power are coequals in this destruction partnership. In
fighting corruption, we must keep a close watch on the actions of our
so called leaders. Mr. Akpabio is a good example of what happens
when the lust of power runs amok.
Just when you think that you have seen the worst display of criminal
mismanagement of public funds, they surprise us with a new standard
for depravity and utmost disregard for what is best for those who elected
them into office. A case in point is Mr. Akpabio who found a new way to
steal N100 million using his House of Assembly to enact a law that will pay
him that amount in pension benefits for life. Mr. Akpabio’s actions are so egregious
and immoral that it degrades all decent governors who have a good intention
of improving the lot of their states.
One Joseph Okon shamelessly defended Mr. Akpabio in a piece he wrote in
PointBlankNews titled “Before Mr. Akpabio is Crucified”. In this patronizing piece,
he defended Mr. Akpabio’s scheme listing supposedly all the so called accomplishments
of Mr. Akpabio for the Akwa Ibom. Mr. Okon in the same article stated that governors of other states
are enjoying the same outlandish benefits. In other words, Mr. Okon is telling us that
just because other governors are ripping their respective states off with this
ill conceived pension plans that it is justified for Mr. Akpabio to do the same.
The reason is that I can rob the bank because others are doing the same.
This shameless defender of the indefencible goes on to lecture his reader on
all that Mr. Akpabio is doing to improve education, industry etc.
He finally entails the reader to allow Mr. Akpabio’s pension scheme because
according to him other governors are doing the same thing for themselves.
How sad that in a country that has been destroyed by corruption, we trade off
one evil for another.
What exactly did this 419 governor did?
The Governor of had the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly
pass a bill that gave him a N100 million health pension benefits for life.
This wanton abuse of office is troubling because this man used other corrupt
politicians to justify his evil scheme. The actions of Mr. Akpabio is both
troubling and could set a dangerous precedence for the rest of the thieving governors
who I am sure would be wanting to outdo him. This abuse of power and flagrant
disregard for the affairs of the people make these men deserve the
hangman’s noose to put it mildly.
To say that this bill is grotesque, immoral, corrupt, unconstitutional is perhaps
the understatement of the year. This action clearly shows the level and
character of the leaders that we have in Nigeria. How can a man stoop
so low and rob his people using state institution that lacks integrity or morals?
Governor Akpabio must be investigated for financial crimes against humanity.
This man has no conscience or decency.
The public funds of Akwa Ibom do not belong to Governor Akpabio.
The governor cannot steal the money of the state under
some dubious and questionable bill. The people must demand justice
and accountability from these criminals that use the label politician or “big man.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if it still has any credibility
must investigate this man and pressure him and also perhaps
inform him that the funds that he has appropriated for himself belongs
to the people of Akwa Ibom State.
The governor should reject this dangerous legal scheme to steal from the people.
Governor Akpabio is not the only thieving governor in Nigeria but his case
has brought great outrage among many political observers.
This man basically gave himself from state fund, a health pension
plan for life that will pay him the sum of N100 million per annum.
The deputy of this clown also was given N50 per annum for life.
Only in Nigeria is this type of wanton abuse possible?
How can a brain dead State House of Assembly approve
this rip-off of enormous proportion?
Why is it that they even had the fortitude to pass such a bill?
What would happen in the future if the state is unable to continue this outrageous obligation?
Why is the governor not spending his energy developing and improving
the hospitals in his state? Is the governor securing money that he will
use in the future to fly overseas for treatment while the hospitals
that are currently being neglected and underfunded left to decay?
Where is the soul of the Nigerian politician? How would he reward
the house of assembly for this favor? Who is the loser in this game
of mismanagement of public resources?
Mr. Akpabio’s conduct highlights the evils we face as a nation in
overcoming our history of various dictatorial corrupt regimes, high levels
of economic mismanagement, human rights abuse, graduate
unemployment of enormous levels, poor medical resources, poor roads,
abysmal educational sector, out of control corruption and high crime rate,
Mr. Akpabio reminds us of why Nigeria is the most corrupt country in the whole world.
The Berlin-based transparency International has ranked Nigeria the most corrupt
country in the whole world for five years in a row. This is troubling considering
what we are currently facing as a nation with the menace of Boko Haram
and the mass insecurity in the nation. Why then do we continue to feed this monster?
Mr. Akpabio’s behavior is reprehensible and in poor taste.
That this man has the audacity to do this using an instituted
state assembly is even more troubling.
The Boko Haram menace that we are facing as a nation is not helped when we promote
and implement corrupt practices that enhance the lifestyles of a few. These men at the
helm of state office do not come with an attitude to serve the people of their state.
They are criminals and robbers of fortune. They lack integrity and the welfare of the
people is not their primary concern. Their main goal is to loot and divert public funds for personal use.
Nigerians must rise up and hold their leaders accountable for mismanagement of public funds.
They must request that elected leaders show high standard of ethics especially
when it comes to public funds. Nigeria is operating a democracy not a dictatorial
system where one man is king and rules with iron hand.
A governor is there to serve the people and promote their interest.
Any personal self-serving interest must not be allowed to be the norm.
Mr. Akpabio should be impeached from office so that the
people of that state can begin a healing process.
There must be justice for the people of that state.
The pension law is a corrupt design aimed to oppress
the masses and raise one man above the law.
Why doesn’t Mr. Akpabio use the funds to develop hospitals,
and build infrastructure in the state?
Why does he feel that he is entitled to such high unusual benefits?
Leadership is not about what you can take from the people
but rather it is about what you can invest in your community or state.
The good people of Akwa Ibom should impeach or recall this man for the sake of justice.
Do not mortgage the future of your children to pay a very corrupt politician
who have come to steal your destiny in broad day light. Regardless of what
accomplishments that this man may have worked for his state, this single
act of corruption to set up a scheme to defraud the people of the state in
the future exposes him for what he really is which is a soulless governor
out to rob the people of their future potential.