THE Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, on Thursday, reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to wage total war against corruption.
Representative of the committee at the 2016 annual lecture series of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), with the theme: “Fighting Corruption and Growing a Sustainable Nigerian Economy,” in Abuja, Professor Femi Odekunle, lamented that only few people were benefiting from corruption, saying that the action was detrimental to the beneficiaries’ grandchildren.
He insisted that corruption in the country was endemic and systemic, saying that “the consequence is that we have a war that must be fought.”
Odekunle insisted that the raid on the residence of some judges was correct, adding that “if you know the things I know, you will carry a gun and just shoot some people and face the consequences.”
According to him, it was shameful that the National Judicial Council (NJC) allowed the judges to resume, adding that it was only on matters of corruption that they remembered the rule of law.
“If we are to truly fight corruption, we must go as far back as possible,” he said.
His comments came as former chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, who chaired the event, said it was good that the president was working to make sure things worked in the country.
“We are not totally off the track. The fight against corruption will rub off on the economy,” he said.
Speaking as a guest lecturer at the event, Obadiah Mailafia, a former deputy governor at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said the fight against graft was good, but cautioned that it should not serve as a substitute to economic policy.
Mailafia noted that the government could still fight corruption and grow the economy at the same time.
“We need to see more action with regards to economy. I have not seen comprehensive economic blueprint put in place by the current government,” he said.
The former CBN deputy governor observed that ordinary Nigerians were suffering and desirous of change.
According to him, corruption had terrible consequence for the country as it threatened long-term development.
He insisted that the country needed to tackle corruption and bring it down as it was the key to the country’s sustainable future
“What President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is doing should be supported. It is a moral revolution. Government has done a few things that are right. TSA will minimise corruption.
“We need a coalition of Nigerians who will work for its progress and its salvation. President Buhari needs the support of people who love this country,” he said.
In his address, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated that the current administration was stepping up its anti-corruption fight and seeking to bring the economy out of recession and put it on the path of sustainable growth.
The minister said the government was aware that the fight against corruption would not be easy.
“Fighting entrenched corruption can sometimes be a very lonely road to travel in our part of the world, where a true community of genuine corruption fighters are assailed from every side by unwary recruits of the looters among us, in our communities, places of work and worship.
“We also know that corruption is fighting back, fastly and furiously. But with uncommon commitment and determination, we will win the war against corruption,” he said.