This government has left no one in doubt that it is committed to fighting corruption… It is imperative that government should urgently adopt and release its holistic anti-corruption strategy. This strategy has been a draft for too long and needs to now become a living document that provides clear road maps, measurable expectations and a viable framework for fighting corruption.
The fight against corruption is not an easy one because it has become systemic and endemic. For a very long time, our economy and national life have been sustained by corruption. Our politics was built around corruption and our social language is corruption. There are many theories on how we got to this path but the truth is that successive governments have paid lips service to addressing the challenges of corruption. Citizens have become accustomed to its prevalence and our systems are dependent on it. We fail in most instances to see the existential challenges that corruption poses for us as country.
There is no doubt in anybody’s mind that the deep economic challenges we now face as a country were exacerbated or even triggered, in some instances, by corruption. Rather than these realities to be a deterrent, events continue to show the uncommon tolerance for corruption in Nigeria, often displayed in our shameless celebration of felons and obeisance to questionable wealth.
This government has left no one in doubt that it is committed to fighting corruption. While there are concerns about the method and effectiveness of its strategy, these concerns do not detract from the fact that this current efforts are unprecedented. The danger, however, is that we may apply dedication and energy to fighting corruption without necessarily achieving the desired results. It is imperative that government should urgently adopt and release its holistic anti-corruption strategy. This strategy has been a draft for too long and needs to now become a living document that provides clear road maps, measurable expectations and a viable framework for fighting corruption.
Every Nigerian is a key partner in the fight against corruption. However, the civil society, trade union, professional organisations and faith based groups have a special role of supporting government, educating citizens and being watchdogs. It is in the best interest of Nigerians for us to live in a country where corruption is an exception and not the general rule.
Every arm of government must be equally committed to this effort. The National Assembly and judiciary must own this process as much as the executive. Government must also be keenly aware that corruption would fight back and will look for every means to discredit this process. Against this reality, government must ensure that the fight against corruption must be within the law. Recent cases of judicial disobedience by the government is regrettable and damages the government’s credibility and moral standing. It is also necessary that key government officials, who are implicated or entangled in allegations of corruption, should be investigated in manner that elicits confidence and trust in the process. Any public perception that government is shielding individuals from investigation is a major blow to the anti-corruption effort.
People must buy into this anti-corruption effort for it to succeed and the greatest tool for public enlightenment is leadership by example. Citizens must perceive government to be fair, objective, credible and incorruptible. This is a tough call but through creative communication, consultation and the resolute enforcement of rules, government can come off as sincere. Every Nigerian is a key partner in the fight against corruption. However, the civil society, trade union, professional organisations and faith based groups have a special role of supporting government, educating citizens and being watchdogs. It is in the best interest of Nigerians for us to live in a country where corruption is an exception and not the general rule.
Let us approach corruption with brutal honesty and constructive feedback. Nigerians are angry with the political leadership. They are angry with their standards of living. They know the country can be better and that the potentials of this great nation is yet untapped. They need reassurance and hope. This dialogue provides a huge opportunity to build wider solidarity for our anti-corruption effort and to reflect on the journey so far.
Udo Jude Ilo is the Country Officer and Head of Office for Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).
These remarks were made at the National Dialogue on Corruption hosted by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on March 2, 2017 in Abuja.
