Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the fight
against corruption can only be effective when national institutions are
strengthened to act independently.
The governor also accepted the invitation of Chatham House, The Royal
Institute of International Affairs of United Kingdom to deliver a keynote
address on development issues in the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by officials of Chatham House, The Royal
Institute of International Affairs at the Government House, Port Harcourt
on Wednesday, Governor Wike noted that political influence has made the
fight against corruption ineffective.
He said: “It is difficult to fight corruption when the institutions are
weak. It may just be a political tool to attract sympathy from western
countries.
“In Nigeria, the institutions are subservient to the President. Here,
Police is central, but the institution is now being used for illegal acts.
That is corruption. ”
The governor said fighting corruption on the pages of newspapers amounts
to playing to the gallery without achieving the desired results.
He said: “The fight against corruption must be holistic. It should not
be a political weapon against opponents of the government. We have
instances of mass corruption in the state, but Federal agencies frustrate
all attempts at prosecution. This is because the affected persons are
influential members of the ruling party “.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government is fighting
corruption, adding that everybody should join hands to fight the menace in
a transparent manner.
On the invitation to Chatham House, the governor said it is a good
opportunity to share experiences with the international community on
development in the country.
Earlier, the Manager of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, The Royal
Institute of International Affairs, Tighisti Amare invited Governor Wike
to the institute to deliver a keynote address on international and
national developmental issues.
Also speaking, one of the authors of the “New Chatham House Report:
Radical Rethink Needed to tackle corruption in Nigeria “, Dr Leena
Hoffmann said there is a need to fight corruption because it is vital for
the development of the nation.
She presented New Chatham House Report: Radical Rethink Needed to tackle
corruption in Nigeria ” to Governor Wike. The governor promised to
study the report.