Once again, President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption while speaking to the Nigerian Community in India. It is becoming wearisome hearing the President announcing his anti-corruption stance. Five months into his administration, the signals are becoming clear that the President's commitment to dealing with corruption us doubtful. At best, it is selective and focused on those who are perceived as enemies of the President and key members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The romance of President Buhari with former President Olusegun Obasanjo is one such clear signal. The refusal of the President to reopen the Halliburton case in which the United States Government has already established prima facie culpability of Obasanjo in the bribery scandal is rather unfortunate. Why is OBJ untouchable? If indeed he is guiltless, why is he being shielded from prosecution and eventual absolution by the courts? What message is the President sending to Nigerians? That some people are sacred cows?
Another case is that of Chief Timipre Sylva, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, who was being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged corruption. Even in the absence of an Attorney General of the Federation who has the constitutional discretion to withdraw criminal cases being prosecuted by the Federal Government and its agencies from court, the EFCC suddenly made a U-Turn and dropped all the charges against Chief Sylva without bothering to explain its action to the Nigerian people. Today, Chief Sylva is the APC Candidate for the upcoming Gubernatorial Election in Bayelsa State.
Much has been said about the nomination of former Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola as Ministers despite the many petitions against them which the EFCC has not even bothered to invite them for preliminary interview as it is the Commission's practice. For a government which continually restates its avowed commitment to fighting corruption, would it not have been better to only nominate Nigerians without any moral baggage to such high office? Of course, allegations and the submission of petitions do not mean guilt on the part of the accused. But the President is losing in the realm of public perception when he closes his eyes to these matters while others (like Mrs Deizani Allison-Madueke, Col. Sambo Dasuki and Senator Bukola Saraki) who have similarly been accused of corruption are being vilified and appear to have been adjudged guilty until they are proven innocent. This sends mixed signals which make many cynical about the President's readiness to stamp out corruption.
As the President has often said, corruption will kill Nigeria if Nigeria does not kill corruption. But if he is to succeed in this war, he must take on the Jehu Anointing. Jehu was anointed by God to execute judgment against the house of King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, the wicked and idolatrous Queen who had defiled the nation with abominations. Jehu was merciless in fulfilling his assignment. President Buhari must equally be merciless in his war against corruption. He must not mind whose ox is gored. There must be no sacred cows. It must be evident to his friends and foes that he indeed has zero-tolerance for corrupt practices and corrupt people. May God help him to truly rid our land of the abomination of corruption.
Oh LORD, please endue President Muhammadu Buhari the Spirit of Jehu and help him to wield the Sword of Judgment against any and all who have plundered our nation without fear or favour in Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless Nigeria.
NIGERIA DI FURE!
The romance of President Buhari with former President Olusegun Obasanjo is one such clear signal. The refusal of the President to reopen the Halliburton case in which the United States Government has already established prima facie culpability of Obasanjo in the bribery scandal is rather unfortunate. Why is OBJ untouchable? If indeed he is guiltless, why is he being shielded from prosecution and eventual absolution by the courts? What message is the President sending to Nigerians? That some people are sacred cows?
Another case is that of Chief Timipre Sylva, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, who was being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged corruption. Even in the absence of an Attorney General of the Federation who has the constitutional discretion to withdraw criminal cases being prosecuted by the Federal Government and its agencies from court, the EFCC suddenly made a U-Turn and dropped all the charges against Chief Sylva without bothering to explain its action to the Nigerian people. Today, Chief Sylva is the APC Candidate for the upcoming Gubernatorial Election in Bayelsa State.
Much has been said about the nomination of former Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola as Ministers despite the many petitions against them which the EFCC has not even bothered to invite them for preliminary interview as it is the Commission's practice. For a government which continually restates its avowed commitment to fighting corruption, would it not have been better to only nominate Nigerians without any moral baggage to such high office? Of course, allegations and the submission of petitions do not mean guilt on the part of the accused. But the President is losing in the realm of public perception when he closes his eyes to these matters while others (like Mrs Deizani Allison-Madueke, Col. Sambo Dasuki and Senator Bukola Saraki) who have similarly been accused of corruption are being vilified and appear to have been adjudged guilty until they are proven innocent. This sends mixed signals which make many cynical about the President's readiness to stamp out corruption.
As the President has often said, corruption will kill Nigeria if Nigeria does not kill corruption. But if he is to succeed in this war, he must take on the Jehu Anointing. Jehu was anointed by God to execute judgment against the house of King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, the wicked and idolatrous Queen who had defiled the nation with abominations. Jehu was merciless in fulfilling his assignment. President Buhari must equally be merciless in his war against corruption. He must not mind whose ox is gored. There must be no sacred cows. It must be evident to his friends and foes that he indeed has zero-tolerance for corrupt practices and corrupt people. May God help him to truly rid our land of the abomination of corruption.
Oh LORD, please endue President Muhammadu Buhari the Spirit of Jehu and help him to wield the Sword of Judgment against any and all who have plundered our nation without fear or favour in Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless Nigeria.
NIGERIA DI FURE!
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