Corruption: Nigerians should speak with one voice

NIGERIA is a democratic nation with a huge population. However, the issues currently facing the country in this present administration are not new. Let me quickly analyse one or two things here; the National Assembly comprises of 109 Senators, Federal House of Representatives comprises  360 members. Three senators from each state and almost 10 Reps from each state across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). We have a total number of 469 lawmakers at the Federal level, not to talk of those at the states, and other public stakeholders at the grassroots.

Unfortunately, only those saddled with the responsibility of governance are enjoying the country’s democratic dividends.

Let us take a critical look at our immediate environment, uncountable number of projects have been abandoned, qualified graduates are unemployed, insecurity in the land, our roads are death-traps for motorists, education is not affordable for poor citizens across the federation, Nigerians are sinking under the yoke of poverty, while the rot in our education sector is begging for a lasting solution.

It is as a result of this that we need to ask ourselves if we are truly a democratic nation. We all know that Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural and human resources, yet the majority of the people are not enjoying the benefits of these resources.

National dailies keep reporting how billions of naira are shared among the so-called political stakeholders and government officials, while the people being governed cannot not afford three square meal on a daily basis.

Recently, former President Olusegun Obasanjo identified corruption as the major enemy of the country.

It is, therefore, important for Nigerians to speak with one voice. Let us put aside our political differences and work towards tackling corruption in the country. We should do away with anybody whose source of wealth we do not know.

We should also start shunning politicians who we know have not contributed to the development of the country.

• Adeyemi Daniel,

lionsden4dan@yahoo.com