City Crime

10 Reasons Why Anti-Corruption War Is Not Succeeding

Published

4 years ago

May 12, 2021

A major duty legal researchers and rule of law campaigners owe society in the practice of constitutional democracy for promotion and sustenance of responsible and responsive governance is to constantly offer legal opinions on issues of law to guide our leaders and institutions in the discharge of leadership responsibilities.

Let us call a spade by its name. If we want the fight against corruption in Nigeria to work as effectively and efficiently as similar projects work in some other countries, then, certain principles and attitudes must be in place, and honestly respected. I respectfully put forward the following suggestions, the pursuit and realisation of which, I believe, would help nip corruption in the bud in Nigeria:

Good and inclusive governance: this has eluded Nigeria for decades. Bad governance is the worst conspirator and the most effective promoter of corruption. Our plight in Nigeria is best captured by the words of Che Guevara: “Cruel leaders are replaced only to have new leaders turn cruel.”

David Hume put it more succinctly: “The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst.”

Until we enthrone good, transparent, inclusive and selfless governance, we might never get it right in our fight against corruption.

Equity and equality: Political leaders and governments in Nigeria must enthrone equity and equality as their core governance principles. These extend to respect for the federal character principle and provisions of the constitution (see Chapter 2, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999), and enthrone tolerance for opposition and dissent. Section 13(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), 1999 (as amended) provides that “it shall be the duty and responsibility of … government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter Two of this Constitution. Section 14(1) of Chapter Two of the CFRN, 1999 provides that “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice” while section 14(3) states that “the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.”

Says section 15(2): “National integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited. Finally, on this point, according to section 15(4), “the State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.”

Modernism and modernisation of governance: Deployment of ICT, paperlessness, and use of the internet as a leadership tool for implementation of all government policies and programmes without any exception.

Diversification & reduction of cost of governance: Government has no business being involved (beyond playing the role of a regulator) in telecommunication, banking, power generation and distribution, oil/minerals exploration, mining, refining and distribution, and so many others. Besides, the cost of governance in Nigeria is unacceptably huge, compared to other countries.

Respect for human rights, rule of law & due process: Corruption of rule of law is worse than economic corruption and financial crimes. Until strict observance of rule of law is elevated above all else, we’re going nowhere with our pretensions to fighting economic corruption. Violation of rule of law in order to fight corruption is a much worse act of corruption than the economic corruption you purport to fight. Let’s put a legislation in place; (a)anyone who violates rule of law should be arrested and jailed. (b) any institution that violates rule of law should have its head immediately relieved of his position. In this way, we would wake up and be civil, sane, and law-abiding in our approach.

Give corruption fight a criminologist’s treatment: We ought to concentrate more on identifying and tackling the root/causes of corruption and stop mere scratching of the surface by unnecessarily dwelling on who aids it, and who does not; who is a realiable partner and who is not. If we remove the causes, the environment would become infertile for corruption which would then die a natural death. Let us adopt the criminologist’s approach, and let it coexist, side by side with the arrest-and-prosecute approach. As long as the causes of CORRUPTING remain, corruption would persist, no matter what we do to eliminate corruption.

The impure cannot successfully purify the unclean: The next is illustrated in the words of President Vladimir Putin: “Those who fight corruption should be clean themselves.” Corruption cannot fight corruption. Those appointed to drive the crusade must themselves be above suspicion. “Power doesn’t corrupt people, people corrupt power,” says William Gaddis. If we elect the same corrupt politicians every time, that’s a very clear message that we don’t want a change. There’s a saying that, “Diapers and politicians should be changed often. Both for the same reason.” According to George Orwell, “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims… but accomplices”.

(8). The eighth is seen in the words of Eduard Shevardnadze (Georgian politician and diplomat) “Corruption has its own motivations, and one has to thoroughly study that phenomenon and eliminate the foundations that allow corruption to exist.”

Build powerful, enduring institutions, not powerful leaders: The ninth has to do with building strong institutions and deemphasising the role of persons and personalities. To this end, Rigoberta Menchú, a Nobel Prize laureate said: “Without strong watchdog institutions, impunity becomes the very foundation upon which systems of corruption are built. And if impunity is not demolished, all efforts to bring an end to corruption are in vain.” Hear Leo Tolstoy, “since corrupt people unite among themselves to constitute a force, then honest people must do the same.”

Rome was not built in a day: The tenth is found in Olusegun Obasanjo’s declaration that “fighting corruption is not a one-night affair.”

In conclusion, If we think of, and do ,the right thing, as is done in some other countries, we would get good results like they. If we ignore the above concepts and principles, it still boils down to the words of Steve Magee who was of the view that, corruption persists and blossoms in some countries because, in those countries, “Corrupt governments are run by corrupt politicians that run corrupt law enforcement agencies.” As an alternative to government by corrupt people, Turkish playwright and writer, Mehmet Murat ildan has the following suggestion: “Instead of politicians, let the monkeys govern the countries; at least they will steal only the bananas!”

Udemezue is a lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus, Bayelsa State.

By: Sylvester Udemezue with reports from King Onunwor

City Crime

NEMA warns against scooping of fuel from accidented tankers

Published

5 days ago

June 12, 2025

The Tide

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned against the practice of scooping fuel from accidented tankers, noting it has led to the loss of many lives and property.

The agency’s Head of Operations in Ibadan, Mr Kadiri Olanrewaju, cautioned during a sensitisation programme on tanker fire accidents, held on Wednesday at Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA) of Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was held in collaboration with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) in Akinyele LGA and other stakeholders.

Olanrewaju said Akinyele LGA was selected for the awareness campaign because of its strategic location as a trailer route from the northern to the southern part of the country.

“These agencies felt that it was necessary to bring this important message to critical stakeholders in communities under the Akinyele LGA, where we have major trailer parks.

“The campaign kick-started in Ogun; we will soon move to Osun.

“The focus is to drive strong sensitisation against the scooping of fuel at the grassroots level, especially for local governments along the trailer routes to reduce needless loss of lives and property,” he said.

He charged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to enforce the laws against underage driving and ensure the proper certification and retraining of drivers.

The Administrative Secretary of OYSEMA, Mrs Ojuolape Busari, said that Community Development Associations (CDAs) were involved in the campaign to reach a larger number of people.

Busari noted that people still scoop fuel from accidented tankers because there had not been any serious punishment attached to the offence.

She, therefore, called for stiff penalties for anyone caught perpetrating the act.

“Apart from the risk of fire outbreak that may occur during the practice, it is stealing, which is a serious offence,” she said.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Akinyele LGA, Hon. Akinwole Akinyele, suggested that fuel transportation should be handled through the rail system, while leaving tankers for intra-city fuel transportation.

The chairman called for an urgent review of laws and policies related to fire services and road safety to meet the urgent and modern demands.

He said that the implementation of stricter fuel transportation regulations, vehicle maintenance, drivers’ training and retraining, and safer fuel handling practices remained crucial to the fuel distribution system in Nigeria.

“The attendant costs of tanker fire accidents have been huge, both in terms of the high number of fatalities and the loss or destruction of property, environmental damage, and public infrastructure,” he said.

NAN reports that the event featured technical sessions, lectures, and presentations from the FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, traditional and market leaders, among others.

City Crime

Democracy Day: Tinubu Addresses Joint N’Assembly Today

Published

5 days ago

June 12, 2025

The Tide

…To Confer National Honours On Select Lawmakers

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will deliver a presidential address before a joint session of the National Assembly today as part of events marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.

The event is scheduled to be held in the House of Representatives chamber of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

This was confirmed in a statement released on Sunday by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi.

The statement referenced an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, officially notifying lawmakers of the proceedings.

According to the memorandum, the special joint sitting will begin at 11:00 a.m. with preliminary activities before the arrival of President Tinubu, who is expected at noon.

Democracy Day is observed annually on June 12 in remembrance of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most credible poll since independence.

The election was won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola but was annulled by the military government led by General Ibrahim Babangida (retd).

The theme for the 2025 celebration is “26 Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development.”

President Tinubu is attending the event as the Special Guest of Honour and is expected to use the platform to reflect on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and present his administration’s vision for the future.

The session will also feature goodwill messages from former presiding officers of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the President will confer national honours on select legislators in what organisers describe as part of efforts to recognise contributions to democratic governance.

The National Assembly views the event as an important marker of Nigeria’s political evolution.“This joint sitting represents a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey,” the statement read.

“It underscores the pivotal role of the National Assembly in safeguarding democratic values, fostering accountability, and advancing national development over the past 26 years of uninterrupted civil rule.”

Lawmakers also used the occasion to urge Nigerians to reflect on the country’s democratic progress and to renew their commitment to national unity and inclusive governance.

“The House of Representatives calls on all Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Democracy Day as a time for reflection, renewed patriotism, and commitment to building a more inclusive, prosperous, and united nation,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has declared today as a public holiday, to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day celebration held every June 12.

June 12 was officially designated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in 2018, to honour the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely considered the freest and fairest in the nation’s history and won by Chief MKO Abiola.

In a statement announcing the holiday, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated citizens on the occasion of 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.

“June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign, and peace is sustained and our future assured,” Tunji-Ojo stated.

City Crime

Rivers Women Celebrate Fubara’s Second Year Anniversary With Thanksgiving

Published

2 weeks ago

June 2, 2025

The Tide

Rivers women, under the aegis of Rivers Women Unite for SIM, have celebrated the second year anniversary of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, with praise and thanksgiving.
The women, who gathered at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt, last Thursday, said that no matter the prevailing circumstances in the State, Fubara has shown great capacity in leadership and deserves to be celebrated.
They emphasised that their gathering was to thank God for what He has done through Fubara and the expected restoration and peace within the State.
They commended Rivers people and all Nigerians who have been standing by the Governor and Rivers people all through these trying times, saying it is now time for peace, reconciliation and restoration.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Dr. Queen Idanyingi Karibi Botoye, said the women have been consistently praying for the State and its leaders.
She urged the leaders of the State to put their differences behind and think about the people first and come together to advance the interest of the State.
The women assured that their prayers will continue until God restores the glory of the State and ensures greater harmony amongst its leaders and people.