When the present administration was sworn in on 29 May, 2015, fighting corruption was the topmost priority item on its agenda. The challenge of fighting corruption was a major issue during the 2015 general elections. In fact, majority of Nigerians who voted for President Muhammadu Buhari in that election, did so based on his antecedents as a man of integrity who is unyieldingly averse to corruption. Both locally and internationally, the President is well known for his antipathy and zero tolerance for corruption. Indeed, the emergence of Buhari is a policy and advocacy moment for Nigeria to upscale the war against corruption. Also, presently addressing the international dimensions to corruption in Nigeria, and the complicity of developed countries, is an ingenious and commendable effort on the part of the President.
The scourge of corruption has undoubtedly been one of the biggest challenges impeding our progress as a nation. It is one of the most widespread social evils in the country. It undermines fragile democratic systems by fuelling popular disillusionment with politics and politicians. It also undermines trust and confidence, which are necessary for upholding and developing a sustainable economic and social order. The malady of corruption has further contributed to the loss of confidence in Nigeria by its citizens at home and abroad. Over the last couple of years, Africa’s largest nation, has gained unprecedented global attention on account of its unenviable record in corruption. On the international scene, Nigeria has been blacklisted as a state in which integrity and transparency are alien and where no transactions occur without “greasing palms”. More often than not, funds meant for the national development and economic progress are being looted and converted for self-aggrandizement as a result of nepotism and cronyism; both symptoms of corruption bedeviling our country.
The effects of corruption on the image and development of our country cannot be overemphasized. Regardless of her immense potentials, the country still lies prostrate hitherto, owing to decades of plunder by successive governments. Nigeria’s inability since independence to achieve enduring political stability is also not unconnected to the damaging effects of corruption, which continues to undermine the legitimacy of political leaders and public institutions. Corruption is also contributing to the nation’s incapacity to implement developmental programmes for the entirety of Nigerians. Other factors hampering our development is the over concentration of resources at the “centre” and a culture of an unregulated informal economy, shady awards of contracts, inadequate enforcement of existing law, absence of the rule of law and a culture of preferential treatment in the conduct of government business.
Undoubtedly, corruption is one of the greatest challenges of our time, a challenge that is not only leading to impoverishment and loss of lives but also threatening the stability of our society. Corruption has a lot of negative consequences on every sphere of societal development whether social, economic or political. Corruption has become a culture in our society today. That is why we have to fight against it so that we would be able to develop and improve our image. Corruption has also been responsible for the endemic poverty in the country today and the reason is not far-fetched; appropriated funds have mostly ended up in the pockets of a few. For example, when the monies meant to construct roads are looted, the end result is that the roads are not built and people suffer and die in avoidable road accidents. When monies meant to provide electricity is plundered, we all are perpetually sentenced to darkness. When monies meant for healthcare is pocketed, we are unable to reduce maternal and infant mortality. These are indeed the costs of corruption.
Over the years, past governments have made efforts to fight corruption but corruption has remained widespread. Following the return to democratic rule in 1999, there was immense domestic and international pressure on the country to fight corruption. As a result, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Corruption Commission (EFCC) were established to combat corruption at various levels in the country. However, anti-corruption war in Nigeria is like a gun-war being fought with bows and arrows. Time has shown that it is a war that can turn its fighters into victims and those being fought into heroes. In spite of these institutions in place, little success has been achieved in fighting corruption or reducing it to the barest minimum. These agencies failure to secure convictions of corrupt officials derives mainly from limited political will, internal contradictions, and the rent – seeking behaviour of the political class. Similarly, inadequate manpower and working tools, and lack of sufficient funds have contributed in hampering them to effectively fight corruption. Also, over the years, since the existence of both agencies, they have been enmeshed in one controversy or another and their efforts have become overshadowed by endless trials of scandals and allegations of corruption.
Thus far, public opinion about the performance of the EFCC and ICPC and the anti-corruption war in Nigeria is mixed. While some Nigerians believe that it is impossible to root out corruption especially within the political class, others believe it is achievable. However, there is an overwhelming general consensus amongst Nigerians that the country needs dogged anti-corruption agencies and laws, that is truly independent, to root out corruption in our society. But public trust on the present anti-corruption agencies is unfortunately fast waning. Hence, there is an urgent need for the anti-corruption agencies and the men and women piloting its affairs to make adjustments, “think outside the box” and shift ground in ensuring that they stem out corruption once and for all. The current exposure of corrupt officials and their crimes during previous administrations is a welcome development by the agencies. However, these agencies shouldn’t be seen as merely playing to the gallery. They should be in it for the long hull, ensuring that they secure convictions on erring individuals, according to the laws of the land.
With the renewed and invigorated zeal by the Buhari administration to stem the tide of corruption in Nigeria, it has turned out to be an optimistic phase in the country’s perennial war against the malaise. The onus now lies on the present administration to further strengthen our anti-corruption agencies in order to effectively fight the scourge of corruption. If corruption is to be effectively fought, the anti-corruption agencies should be on the first line in terms of funds and budgeting in order to effectively perform its role. Remunerations and welfare packages of staff of such agencies should be appraised in order to dissuade corrupt practices among its workforce. Also, the scourge of corruption could only be overcome if the anti-corruption agencies in the country are given the freedom to operate without compromise. Making them more independent, free from external and internal influences is a must. There is also an urgent need to establish anti-corruption agencies in all the states of the federation. This will make it easier for patriotic whistle-blowers to report issues of corruption. Inevitably, the present government has to do more to strengthen the anti-grafts in ensuring that they adequately address the issue of corruption, which is a cankerworm to the development of the country.
LEADERSHIP
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