Labour Party flagbearer and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has emphasised the need to stop economic waste in the nation by demanding that corrupt leaders in Nigeria be subject to severe penalties.
In a statement released on Tuesday to commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day, Obi stated.
He asserts that corruption has plagued Nigeria over the years at all governmental levels and in all branches.
According to him, the nation is struggling with a very high debt profile, which is the result of the government’s unquenchable desire for more loans.
He suggested that Nigerian leaders conduct a soul-search and rid themselves of any corrupt activities.
“The international community observes International Anti-Corruption Day today, which is a very significant day for us in Nigeria, given how our beloved country has been plagued over the years by a sickening level of corruption at all levels of government and across the various arms of government.
“I wholeheartedly concur with a media story a few days ago that claimed that corruption had dragged Nigeria to its knees on both an economic and social level. The report was attributed to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
“It is true that corruption hinders the advancement of our country. There are various forms of corruption at various levels of government, including bribery, favouritism, and toll-gating that occur in various offices, as well as lack of transparency in budgeting and fund allocation, misappropriation of public funds through mindless looting and budget padding, abuse of public office for personal gain, and the numerous layers of contract inflation. With a corruption perception index of 145 out of 180 countries, Nigeria has a high level of corruption that must be eradicated if any significant progress is to be made.
“Furthermore, we are one of the 11 worst-run African countries in the past ten years. All of these have not only kept our country’s progress stagnant, but they have also discouraged decent administration. I have learnt from the media that the Federation’s auditor general discovered N3.403 trillion in financial irregularities in several government ministries, divisions, and agencies for the fiscal year that concluded on December 31, 2021. In just one year, an astounding N3.403 trillion was not accounted for—more than 20% of the aforementioned year’s national budget.
“We are currently dealing with a very high debt profile, which results from the government’s insatiable need for more loans without a fair accounting of all the prior debts that have already been obtained and accrued for future generations. These loans appear to have been misused or consumed because there are no discernible investments or beneficial effects on the economy. These are all distinct expressions of the widespread corruption undermining our development initiatives. The anti-corruption and anti-graft agencies must intensify their efforts to combat corruption and focus on important matters of national concern.
“Our anti-graft agencies should focus on corrupt activities like oil theft, budget padding, bribery, collecting large sums of money as bribes for political favours or appointments, and misappropriating public funds.
“Those convicted must face harsh punishment.” On a day like today, we have the chance to examine our consciences as leaders and avoid any corrupt behaviours that are present in every aspect of our leadership roles. And for the sake of our country, we followers must oppose corruption in all its manifestations. I’m still determined to help our country drastically reduce corruption. As I have often said, corruption is reduced by more than 60% in any organisation or country with non-corrupt leaders, making the remaining corruption easier to combat.”
