Bode George and Nigeria’s’ culture of shame
The impact of the events reverberated throughout the week, drawing both the ire, and in some bizarre instances, the admiration of some Nigerians. Having been convicted for criminal offences, including corruption, abuse of public office and contract irregularities in 2009 and sentenced to a 30-month jail term, it was rather surprising seeing the hero’s welcome […]
The impact of the events reverberated throughout the week, drawing both the ire, and in some bizarre instances, the admiration of some Nigerians.
Having been convicted for criminal offences, including corruption, abuse of public office and contract irregularities in 2009 and sentenced to a 30-month jail term, it was rather surprising seeing the hero’s welcome the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party chieftain received on his release.
As early as 6 am on the day of his release, a crowd dressed in aso ebi and colourful T- shirts branded with George’s face flocked the prison gate holding aloft, banners with inscriptions: “George: The Joseph of our time”.
When he was released, some four hours later, leaders of the PDP in Lagos – a party that has supposedly been championing the fight against corruption – welcomed George from the prison, amidst great festivities, to the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, for a thanksgiving service.
The surprise continued in the house of God when prominent personalities joined the jamboree. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo was there. He had made so much ado of his anti-corruption crusade, counting among his achievements in office the creation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which, after much delay, succeeded in prosecuting George for the crimes he was sent to jail. Obasanjo was even dressed in the same aso ebi as all the other celebrants. And the service was live on national TV, insulting further, the sensibilities of Nigerians.
It is no secret that Obasanjo, the anti corruption crusader, and Bode George, the convicted corruption mogul, are very close. It was, after all, Obasanjo, who in 1999 made George the chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the office he would later grossly abuse. When the EFCC under Nuhu Ribadu made moves to prosecute Bode Goerge in 2005, it is believed that then President Obasanjo shielded his ally. Eventually, with Obasanjo out of office and Umaru Yar’Adua taking over with his “Rule of Law” mantra, George was prosecuted and found guilty of 47 out of the 63 counts that were eventually proffered against him.
Now Obasanjo typically has come out to denounce his participation in that fiasco. “I was not part of the celebration of Bode George,” he told reporters in his Abeokuta residence on Friday. “He [Bode George] sent a passionate message to me from prison urging me to attend a family church thanksgiving and I believe that for whatever any family is giving thanks in the church or in the mosque and he invites me and I am able to go there, I will go there, whether it is for marriage, for burial, house warming or christening a child.”
PDP and the burden of guilt
Whatever one makes of Obasanjo’s claims, it is obvious the PDP regards Bode Goerge’s release as a major triumph ahead of April elections. He is considered a political stalwart in the South West region, where the party is facing the serious challenge of winning elections in Lagos, Ogun and Ondo States among others.
The list of party kingpins who graced the church service is long; Obasanjo, Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode, former Ekiti state governor Mr. Ayo Fayose, Mr John Odeh, Gen Tunji Olurin, Mrs Modinat Adedibu, Deputy Governor Oyo State, Mr. Taofeek Arapaja, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro and a number of PDP governorship candidates in some South West states, State PDP chairmen and a host of others.
The political import of his release was buttressed in his first press briefing immediately after the church service. He addressed journalist at his Ikoyi home, telling them that he will lead the PDP to cause a Tsunami. Bode George has some huge resources at his disposal. He was eventually convicted for embezzling some N87 billion. No one knows exactly how much he got away with, but seeing the lavishness of his homecoming party and the ostentation he and his family continue to live in, there might be quite a lot. There have been allegations of corruption against him from when he was military governor of Ondo State between 1988 and 1990.
Even President Goodluck Jonathan, eager to cash in on any liaison that could clinch him victory at the April polls was thought to have arranged a meeting with the ex-convict, to strategise on how to deliver the South West to the PDP. True enough, Bode George was in the VIP stand at the president’s rally in Lagos on Tuesday. Perhaps because of the wave of disgust that followed his lavish homecoming, Bode George would have been allowed to address the rally.
And this is a president who has already promised to tackle corruption head on. The role of the PDP in the show of shame suggests a tolerance for crime and a celebration of criminality, something former president Obasanjo later acknowledged.
“Because I don’t see what PDP as a national party, as a party that is trying to form a government in Lagos State, as a party that formed government at the national level and in at least 27 states in the country, would be celebrating criminality (true to type again) because whatever we may say, the reason Bode went to prison should be condemned by everybody.
“And I have condemned it but he did not go to prison for political offence. If he had been sent to prison for political offence, then he comes back and all his political associates may get round him and PDP must do something noble and wholesome but in this case, PDP as a party must dissociate itself from celebrating criminality,” he said.
Corruption, criminality and creed
Nigeria is celebrated as one of the most religious countries in the world. Every dawn, church bells toll as the muezzin’s call herald a new day. Churches and mosques, and course shrines, compete for space with living quarters. The average Nigerian begins his day with prayers and devotions to God and in markets and busses, preachers spread the words of God. But how, in the midst of all these teachings and practices of faith, crime and corruption thrive remains an enigma.
From prison Bode Goerge made straight for church where the priest, Venerable Tayo Aduloju in a sermon titled “A Minister and a Witness” urged Mr. George to be of good conduct henceforth.
“If you are involved in any shady deal, if you are found anywhere elections are rigged, and partake in any form of manipulation, it means you have not learnt anything from your experience. Real power belongs to God…As from today; you are expected to represent Christ. You are an ambassador of Christ. Never again will the name of God be soiled through you,” the priest said.
But rather than show remorse, Bode George blamed his troubles on others than his avarice and decided to be magnanimous in granting forgiveness to his “detractors.”
Despite the clerics admonition, he has already thrown himself whole-heartedly into the political arena where he seemed to have been wholly accepted by those who should be ashamed to be associated with him. even his conduct in prison left much to be desired.
“Bode did not conduct himself properly while in prison, he was doing things as if he was a lord of the manor. When Awolowo was in prison in Calabar, he did not misbehave, but Bode was trying to run PDP affairs from prison; that was a mistake,” Obasanjo said (a fair sermon).
Bode’s supporters, however, feel a lot has been made out of the reception given him by the party. Nigerians for True Change, an NGO, has come out in support of Mr. George and the PDP, branding critics of the celebrations “hypocrites”.
“The question we should ask ourselves is what again do they really want? This man went to jail, came back and said he has been to the school of life. Even the priest in the church he went for thanksgiving said he should go and sin no more. What else do they want?” Akin Martins Jaiyeola, NTC General Secretary said in a signed statement.
But beyond rhetoric, what has emerged from this unfortunate saga is a culture of shame and impunity for which Nigerians have long been known. However, the ruling PDP now needs to do more to convince Nigerians of its sincerity to tackle corruption and corrupt public figures.