A former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on Financial Crimes in the
\nFederal Ministry of Justice Mr. Biodun Aikomo has stated that, “the
\nbiggest problem Nigeria faces is corruption, as resources meant for
\neverybody are in the pockets of individuals.”<\/p>\n
Mr Aikomo, who until recently was Senior Assistant to President Buhari,
\nsaid: “We must go beyond mere rhetoric and really join hands as citizens
\nto fight corruption. If we wait for the anti-corruption and law
\nenforcement agencies to fight corruption, we may not achieve much
\nprogress. As citizens, it is important to show courage to demand
\naccountability from public officials.”<\/p>\n
Aikomo was speaking today at a town hall meeting organized by the
\nSocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in
\ncollaboration with UKaid.<\/p>\n
The town hall meeting titled: ‘Citizens’ participation in the fight
\nagainst corruption in the police, health, education, judiciary and
\nelectricity sectors in Nigeria’, and held at the Ikeja Airport Hotel,
\nIkeja was attended by representatives of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC),
\nNational Orientation Agency, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and
\nFiscal Commission, Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja branch, human rights
\nactivists, civil society leaders, the media, and other stakeholders,
\nsuch as market women association, taxi drivers’ association, and student
\nassociations.<\/p>\n
The NLC General Secretary represented by Mr. Benson Upah said: “To fight
\ncorruption, we must self deny, be courageous, do it in groups, in
\nnumbers lies our strength. Corruption can be prevented, (make sure it
\ndoesn’t happen), deterred (if it has happened, somebody must be made to
\npay the price). And we can encourage people not to engage in corruption.
\nThe citizens must now begin to take action.”<\/p>\n
Participants at the town hall meeting agreed to set up what they called:
\n‘Citizens United against Corruption, to which everyone can become
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Mr. Newton Osetmaye of Action Aid Nigeria, said: “We need to go beyond
\nrhetoric and meetings and look towards solutions. Citizens United
\nagainst Corruption should move quickly to action. Once there is a
\ncritical mass of citizens taking action, we will be better for it. We
\nneed to resist corruption steadfastly.”<\/p>\n
Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director, said before the group
\ndiscussions: “As Nigerians, we all have a right to a corruption-free
\nsociety. So, getting involved in the fight against corruption\u2014grand
\ncorruption and petty corruption\u2014is standing up for our fundamental human
\nrights.”<\/p>\n
According to him, “The cost of not standing up for our rights is huge.
\nOur governments and lawmakers have little incentive to fight corruption.
\nTherefore, corruption in Nigeria won’t simply disappear without the
\ncitizens vigorously pushing for this to happen. We know that those who
\nmake change have to work for months or years to create change in the
\nworld.”<\/p>\n
His paper read in part: “But as Nigerians, we have to start doing
\nsomething in our various communities about corruption and holding our
\nelected and appointed public officials to account. By doing this, we
\nwill not only be standing up for our own human rights but also for the
\nhuman rights of all Nigerians\u2014both present and future generations.”<\/p>\n
“We all know corruption when we ‘see it’!\u00a0 Corruption is like a huge
\nelephant sitting on this country. Nigeria has lost over $400 billion of
\npublic funds to corruption since independence in 1960. Corruption has
\nincreased the cost of achieving the UN Millennium Development Goal in
\nthe country, including on education, health, water and sanitation.”<\/p>\n
“Millions of Nigerians cannot access or obtain essential public goods
\nand services because of corruption. The benefits of the country’s
\nnatural resources are exchanged and shared among the politicians, the
\nrich and well connected, excluding the less privileged, the socially and
\neconomically vulnerable in our country.”<\/p>\n
“Mismanagement, embezzlement or diversion of public funds, for example,
\nthrough ‘security votes’, constituency projects, ‘welcome package’ for
\nmembers of the National Assembly further reduces the government’s
\nresources available for development and poverty reduction spending.”<\/p>\n
“Yet, if basic public services are not delivered to citizens due to
\ncorruption, the state eventually loses its credibility and legitimacy.”<\/p>\n
“As the 2019 general elections in the country have shown, corruption in
\nthe political processes can undermine the rule of the people and thus
\nthe very foundation of democracy.”<\/p>\n
“Working together and united as citizens, we can create substantial
\nchange and make corruption history in Nigeria. It is possible and with
\nfaith and courage, we can do it, as #CitizensUnited. Let’s take this
\nmessage to people in our various communities and encourage them to be
\npart of this citizens movement against corruption. Let’s stand up for
\nour rights and the rights of our fellow citizens by saying loudly:
\n“Corruption E don do for Niaja.”!”<\/p>\n
“Let’s begin to expose corruption right from our various communities and
\nreport cases to appropriate authorities.”<\/p>\n
“We often assume that someone else will stand up for our human rights.
\nBut make no mistake about this: we as individuals are the best
\nprotectors of the Nigerian Constitution. Together, we must be the ones
\nwho promote transparency and accountability in the management of public
\nresources and end entrenched impunity for corruption in our country. We
\nmust take a monumental step: we must choose a corruption issue\u2014be in
\neducation, the police, the judiciary, health, or electricity sectors–
\nclose to our hearts and participate in a meaningful way.”<\/p>\n