1st October, 2016
INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE:
NIGERIANS MUST
CELEBRATE CHANGE
The Federal Government has declared Monday 3rd October as
public holiday to mark Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary which
occurs today, 1st October, 2016.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) congratulates Nigerians
at home and abroad for witnessing this great day. Nigerians have cause to
rejoice because we have all seen palpable signs of change despite the current
economic recession.
Critics and public analysts have always criticized past
regimes for the systemic corruption. They wondered why no high ranking official
was ever held accountable. They also made us to believe that corrupt practices
will come to an end once government takes the bold step to confront and punish
offenders. This has been the story since our independence in 1960.
MURIC believes that Nigerians can now heave sighs of
relief as accountability takes the central stage in the Buhari administration
which took off on May 29, 2015. More than eleven highly placed politicians and
army generals have been arrested and remanded in prison for corrupt practices.
The unprecedented list includes a former Acting governor of
Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri, former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo
Dasuki (rtd), former spokesman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa
Metuh, Air Marshal Olusola Amosu (rtd), an ex-Minister of Aviation, Femi
Fani-Kayode, former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, ex-Minister
of Interior, Abba Moro, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Uche
Secundus, Chairman of African Independent Television (AIT), Raymond Dokpesi,
former military governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), Lawal Isa Jafaru and Air Vice Marshal Olusola Oguntoyinbo.
Very
recently, a serving governor and a former First Lady had their bank accounts
frozen over fraudulent transactions. The Aso Rock official responsible for plagiarizing
Obama’s speech was sacked few days ago. Ministers have been barred from flying
first class at government’s expense. The same Buhari administration has denied
ministers luxurious accommodation in Abuja. Leakages are being blocked. The Treasury
Single Account (TSA) and the bank BVN number have exposed thousands of ghost
workers and forced many looters to abandon their money in commercial banks for
fear of being traced and punished.
More importantly, looted money is being recovered. About one billion naira
has reportedly been returned. It is our contention that returned stolen money
would have been more had the National Assembly (NASS) actively supported the
anti-graft measures put in place by the Buhari administration. But instead of
being a partner in progress, the NASS has constituted a clog in the wheel while
its leadership has been embroiled in corruption scandals and the attendant
trials.
It is equally noteworthy that Nigeria has witnessed
change in leadership orientation. Observers and critics have for long
maintained that the problem with Nigeria is leadership and that the country
will get it right once the leader gets it right. Unlike in the past, Nigeria
today has a leader who is above board, someone who is tested and trusted.
Another feature of the change mantra has manifested in the
recognition and respect which the international community has for the current
Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari. He has won accolades from notable world
leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury and President Barrack Obama of
the United States. This is change at the international arena.
MURIC calls on Nigerians to allow
the change aura to spread.
Every Nigerian must embrace the change phenomenon. In particular, the people’s
representatives in the NASS should rise from their deep slumber to give full
support to the war against corruption. NASS must put the necessary machinery in
motion to ensure speedy trial of corrupt persons.
We support recommendations made by concerned individuals and groups for
the punishment of corrupt politicians and public officials with some
modifications as reflected below:
1. They must fully forfeit stolen
funds.
2. Those imprisoned can only be treated
inside prison walls if they fall sick.
3. They must lose national honors and
all chieftaincy titles.
4. They must lose national honors and
all chieftaincy titles.
5. Complicit lawyers should attract equal
prison sentence and disbarment.
6. Judges who aid and abet them should
be sentenced to life imprisonment without any option of fine.
In conclusion, MURIC calls on doubting Thomases to remove
the blindfold of prejudice from their eyes in order to behold the wonderful
change sweeping the Nigerian landscape. We remind Nigerians that the onus today is
on the citizens to take the cue from the current transparent leadership. We
have blamed Nigeria’s woes on bad leadership for a long time and we have never
been truly independent as we wobbled and fumbled in the shackle of corruption.
What is expected of us as a serious people now that we have
a good leader? The citizens too must change. We must turn a new leaf to
liberate ourselves from socio-economic predators and corrupt politicians who
subject us to acute penury by looting our common wealth.
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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