Re: There are no men of integrity in NASS- Obasanjo

See who is talking! For me, the credibility of the message is as important as the character of the messenger. It is incongruous with reason for a hooker to preach about chastity or a drunkard about temperance and sobriety. Launching a Private Presidential Library Project while you held office is an extension of corruption. State […]

See who is talking! For me, the credibility of the message is as important as the character of the messenger. It is incongruous with reason for a hooker to preach about chastity or a drunkard about temperance and sobriety.
Launching a Private Presidential Library Project while you held office is an extension of corruption. State Governments and Local Governments coughed out millions as donations to Obasanjo’s private library project. And they used public funds to finance these huge donations. Using public office for private advantage is also part of corruption. Obasanjo used corruption to get rid of recalcitrant, uncooperative and nonconformist Senate Presidents or Speakers by bribing lawmakers to impeach their leaders. Former Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State ran into trouble on account of using 10 billion naira out of the N30 billion he allegedly diverted to finance Obasanjo’s third term project. When Orji Kalu made similar allegations  by claiming he contributed to the funding OBJ’s campaign, the Ota General’s usual excuse was: “where is the receipt?” despite the knowledge that receipts are not issued for political bribes. Despite frequently calling former Vice President Atiku Abubakar “too corrupt to succeed him”, Obasanjo became a multi billionaire eight years after leaving office. Did he win an American or British jackpot? It is impossible to be a billionaire from one’s salaries and allowances in eight years. General T.Y.  Danjuma told The Guardian newspaper in a February 2008 interview that “Obasanjo was stone broke when he came out of jail in 1998.” He must have a Midas Touch to transform from rags to riches overnight!
The management and expenditure of the recovered Abacha loot was shrouded in secrecy under Obasanjo’s watch. Transparency in the management and expenditure of repatriated funds is no less important in fighting corruption. In an allusion to a court case by SERAP, a transparency and accountability watchdog, former President Obasanjo said those asking him to explain the expenditure of the Abacha loot “are stupid.” And that is the blackmail, using anger to divert attention or intimidate critics or transparency advocacy groups.
Our entire political system is tainted with corruption. Funding your re-election or your endorsed candidates with public funds is part of the corruption. In the case of NASS, their reluctance to open their budgets to public scrutiny is also part of the corruption. If you are hiding something, you are hiding corruption. But the fact is that you cannot hide the outcomes of corruption. The Presidential system of government creates conditions for corruption, but the character of our politicians is largely responsible for our present predicament arising from the consequences of corruption. President Buhari alone cannot fight corruption if majority of elected public office holders believe they are in politics for huge financial profits rather than selfless service to the people. Politics is a gravy train in our country. A thief will be a thief whether we are operating a Presidential or Parliamentary system of government.
Na’Allah Mohammed Zagga, Abuja. [email protected]