Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, has underlined that responsibility among senior government officials is the first step towards an effective and successful fight against corruption.
Addressing corruption at the highest echelons of government, according to the former president, would serve as a model for others and show the administration’s dedication to openness and honesty.
He gave a speech on Sunday night at a Zoom interactive session called “Boiling Point Arena,” which was organised by a commercial radio station in the capital of Ogun State, Abeokuta.
The discussion, which was broadcast by a few private radio stations in the capital of Ogun State, Abeokuta, centred on Obasanjo’s political legacies and his evaluation of modern-day Nigeria.
The fight against corruption must begin with leadership if it is to be successful, Chief Obasanjo said, calling corruption a hydra-headed problem that has gnawed deeply into Nigerian society.
“The best approach to combating corruption is to start at the head; that is where corruption must be addressed,” he stated.
In order to stop corruption in its tracks, the former president also argued that it must be a daily and consistent endeavour.
“Corruption is deeply ingrained and extremely hydra-headed. According to the current Sultan’s father, the Sultan of Sokoto, corruption is like a “babariga”—if you fold it on one side, it will break apart on the other. It falls apart as soon as you put your hands down, and you are unable to hold them up when carrying it on both sides. That is corruption.
“It’s a multi-day event. This is not a one-regime situation. Not even two regimes are involved. Consistency is essential. It must go on continuously. It must happen every day. When one regime is abandoned, it spreads.
He demanded that leaders be chosen for public service based on talent rather than politics or tribal affiliations, and he urged for a change in the recruitment and appointment process.
He claimed that self-made leaders or those who are enthroned by Satan are doomed to fail when it comes to leadership.
He maintained that a leader is created by God alone and that anyone he commands will be successful.
“I will say that the majority of leaders are appointed and prepared by God and that their chances of success are higher than when you become a leader on your own, which may not be God’s will.”And once more, I reject the notion that God creates all leaders. Satan can also make a leader. As you recall, Satan was prancing up and down and going before God in the Job story. God praises Job, but Satan says that Job is honest with God because he has received it from God.
“We must acknowledge that Satan is real and powerful; he is not a saviour, but his power should not be underestimated.”
