Corruption: Oyebode, Falana, others Make Clarion Call for War

Ronke Kehinde/

Nigerians have been urged to fight corruption with all their might or corruption will consume them.

This came during a strategic dialogue round-table organized by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, in collaboration with National Endowment for Democracy, NED, USA.

Professor Akin Oyebode said at the dialogue: “It’s almost incredible that Nigerians will be celebrating people who put them in hardship; people that should hide their faces in shame. They confer honorable titles on the corrupt.”

Oyebode presented a speech entitled: “Mobilizing the citizens to demand for anti–corruption reforms and an end to impunity for grand corruption in Nigeria.

“The people must know that misappropriation of the nation’s resources by leaders at various levels leads to their impoverishment.

“Everyone must be included in the war against corruption by their participation in mass rallies, street demonstrations, public debates and write-ups in the mass media against corrupt practices.

“However government must resolve to take decisive action against those who have been proved to violate the laws and social ethos against the odious and unwholesome practice of corruption”.

Femi Falana was one of the speakers at the event. He said: “I’ve never heard it in the world where leaders will tell their people: I won’t tell you how much I’m taking from you.

“Apart from the jumbo pay of our senators, they are entitled to official cars; they still bought exotic cars for themselves and collect wardrobe allowance.”

While speaking on Sukuk bond, he said religious leaders should stop confusing people.

“Quran supports giving out free loan to the people. It’s not meant to Islamise Nigeria. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) can also use the money that is being used to buy private jets to open a bank that will give free loan to the people. Let’s stop conferring honours on criminals,” he said.

“The President has sent Bill of Anti-corruption to Senate but they ignored it, because that is like signing their death warrant,” Falana added.

Another speaker at the event, Dr. Olajumoke Akiode, of the Center for Ethics and Sustainable Development, said: “Evil prevail where there is secrecy and silence. Everyone must begin to ask question. Let’s fight the corruption fight.”

The Executive Director of SERAP, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “Corruption has attained legitimacy in Nigeria and we all contribute to it. We all must say no. We have a President who does not want to be rich but to do the right thing. Let’s all be patriotic and fight this menace. Don’t let it rob us of the future of our children.”

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