JayFm News Commentary: Nigeria’s President, Buhari Must Refocus His Fight against Corruption

Today’s news Commentary insists that Nigeria under President Buhari must refocus it’s fight against corruption as written by Doris Izang of our News and Current Affairs Department

In the words of Joe Biden,the 46th and current president of the United States of America,“ Corruption is a cancer, a cancer that eats away at a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity.”

What this statement means that the entire world firmly believes that corruption, regardless of its form, is the biggest obstacle to progress.

In a country where corruption is endemic ,It has proven to be more devastating than any other vice as its vandalizing effect extends to the economic, social, and political lives of the people with debilitating consequences.

It is against this background that Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015
with a promise to stamp out corruption in the country for a better economy and good governance.

However , more than seven years on the saddle and less than ten months to the end of his administration ,there are fresh concerns that the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari has not impacted the Nigerian economy.

Issues like the politicisation of the anti-corruption fight and the refusal to investigate accusations have continued to cast doubt on the fight.

The suspension of some top government officials from the former acting head of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu to the recent suspension of the Account-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, on corruption charges and the alleged double standards in Buhari’s treatment of those loyal to him present some examples of how not to fight corruption

As if to remove any doubts that the present administration is not serious about fighting corruption ,the former chairman of the rulling All Progressives Congress , Adams Oshiomole, confirmed that party politics under the present administration is shielding the prosecution of people loyal to those in power when he had asked defectors from opposition parties to join the governing party and have their ‘sins’ forgiven.

In a recent anti-corruption report on Buhari’s Six Years in Office by Centre for Democracy and Development , it was revealed that with the 2023 election season already ramping up, and Buhari’s style of governance largely unchanged, his government’s anti-corruption track record is set to go down in history as one characterized by missed opportunities and, in some respects, outright hypocrisy.

The report further explained that President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2016 promise to demonstrate zero tolerance for corrupt practices remains largely unmet, adding that some of the shortcomings of the administration includes Buhari’s willingness to appoint individuals of questionable integrity to key positions, his tendency to shield political allies from investigation and prosecution, his disinterest in how the ruling party funds its election campaigns, his failure to make key petroleum sector reforms, and his corruption-prone economic and fiscal policies.

As it is ,many of these challenges have remained largely unaddressed .

Although some policy actions by the Buhari government such as
the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, system that enables the Government to manage its finances and revenues using a single/unified account,
expanding the Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system, assistance to the Armed Forces, as well as the establishment of some Federal Universities and other academic institutions,among others , have received commendation from many Nigerians,they, however , believe that the failure of the government to fight corruption headlong has robbed the people of the intended benefits

With Corruption which has also been linked to insecurity going on unchecked ,Boko Haram terrorists continue to wreak havoc while bandits kidnap for ransom and herdsmen clash with farming communities, threatening food security and national unity.

Unable to grow the economy, Nigerians are now poorer.

Therefore ,a working mechanism must be put in place to reduce opportunities for corruption while the government should also use technology more in addressing this problem.

A situation where a government official said to have stolen over N80 billion is only arrested and later released can not serve as an effective deterrent to other corrupt officers .

But can Nigeria ever stop government officials from stealing public funds?.

Many believe it is possible if only the right candidates are voted into power come 2023