EFCC and the burden of corrupt politicians
The cast and the major characters are still the same just as the script suggests no difference. But what is worrying is the insensitivity amongst the political class and the public to the issue of integrity, transparency and accountability in governance. This has not received the required outcry needed by a people where corruption is […]
The cast and the major characters are still the same just as the script suggests no difference. But what is worrying is the insensitivity amongst the political class and the public to the issue of integrity, transparency and accountability in governance. This has not received the required outcry needed by a people where corruption is a raging monster in a polity like Nigeria. The subsisting trend has been that of impunity and reckless disregard for morality and honesty. The ruling elite have embezzled our commonwealth for the benefit of preserving their political power.
We are not in doubt that corruption has crippled our infrastructural development and is gradually making a virile democratic development a mirage. Then, one would expect that the call for a change in the political landscape with a view to entrenching the culture of accountability and probity in governance be given maximum attention by all patriotic Nigerians.
It is against this background that I want to lend my voice to the call by the ruling party and some section of the society to have all aspirants go through the integrity test with the anti- graft agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. This for me, is a welcome development. All the political parties should be willing to present their flagbearers to the EFCC for a thorough check.
With all sense of responsibility, I am forced to solicit public support for the commitment of the EFCC as reported in the media to stop any corrupt politician from vying for any elective post. This could not have come at a better time than now. It is a right step. The argument that this is not within the purview of its statutory mandate is a mere demonstration of ignorance. It cannot hold water. If really we desire leaders of integrity, the Commission has the power to investigate any aspirant and make recommendation to the parties if such is found culpable of any economic crime.
As they jostle for tickets and nominations, the EFCC must be empowered to monitor any suspicious transaction involving anybody regardless of his political ambition. The fact that we are in a political season does not foreclose the work of the anti-graft agency. In fact, EFCC should be strengthened and encouraged more than ever before to monitor the ways politicians go about their campaigns and other activities. Election financing must be made absolutely transparent.
More so, the activities of the so called godfathers need to be placed under proper scrutiny. EFCC should open their books. This is not a case of undue victimization as some cynics might want to argue. It is all about having the right people in the positions of authority, holding trust for the mass of Nigerians. He who would come to equity must come with clean hands as the saying goes.
In fact, if we truly desire a level playing field for all without any undue advantage, we should eradicate money politics making the godfatherism syndrome unattractive. Obviously, this might sound unpopular among the beneficiaries of the grand corrupt practice. But in spite of the attendant cynical and hypocritical howling of politicians and their propagandists, citizens and institutions with the statutory power of scrutiny must not allow themselves to be intimidated. What we need now as a people is good leadership. Our politicians over the years have not proven to be above board. We need the EFCC now to help us do something positive about corruption in high places: first by focusing on corruption during the electoral period that is campaign funds and the likes; and secondly, to help us implement the mechanisms that can help curb corruption by politicians who are in power.
This cannot be left to the Commission alone; I therefore call on the Nigerian civic community to actively promote strong monitoring mechanisms on the role of money in politics. From our own little corner, let us carefully follow the party primaries, follow the various fundraising arrangements put in place and seek to ensure that the electoral laws regarding the role of money in politics are strictly adhered to. When this happens, the possibility of ethical candidates emerging on the tickets of the various parties looms larger than ever.
In spite of the current weaknesses in our democratic experience, all hope is not lost. Let us support the EFCC as we now have another rare opportunity today to oil the tracks of democracy, and retread its paths by using the opportunities of the legal framework to correct the distortions the nation has suffered in the hands of corrupt politicians. In this regard, the major weight will be on the political parties and the public to effect the desired changes.
Nothing so important holds together all the parts of a society as credibility, which can never be kept up unless men are under some force or necessity of honesty. We need men of integrity and honour in power.
Ahmed Usman writes from Kano