Group mobilises Lagos residents against corrupt politicians

A rights group, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has kick-started what it described as grassroot-mobilisation against political office holders. At a sensitisation forum held in Ikeja, Lagos, the group’s Executive Chairman,  Debo Adeniran said it has become imperative to take the gospel of anti-corruption to the grassroot with the citizens having the power […]

A rights group, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has kick-started what it described as grassroot-mobilisation against political office holders.

At a sensitisation forum held in Ikeja, Lagos, the group’s Executive Chairman,  Debo Adeniran said it has become imperative to take the gospel of anti-corruption to the grassroot with the citizens having the power to challenge political leaders engaging in graft related cases right from local level.

Adeniran who took time out to explain the implication of complicity and complacency among the citizens also reminded the gathering of the evil of corruption, saying that except they tackle it at local level, efforts to defeat it at national stage will not yield much report.

“As you return to your different communities,  try to imbibe a new attitude and approach to fighting corruption.  Fighting corruption should not just be for the elites.  For those of us at the grassroots, we must realise the evil of corruption, because it stagnates development, create political instability among other consequences, “ Adeniran said.

Also,  a former spokesperson of the Economic and  Financial  Crimes  Commission  (EFCC) Femi Babafemi said the battle against corruption will not be successful if people at the grassroots chose not to join hands with anti-graft agencies to fight the menace.

“Throughout my time at the EFCC, I was able to realise that the fight against corruption will not be successful even if government build or establish more anti-graft bodies if the people especially those at the grassroots refuse to participate and contribute their quota.  I am therefore urging you to constitute youself to formidable groups that can regularly checkmate the activities of political leaders in your respective communities, “ Babafemi said.