By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu
Corruption, like a stealthy predator, has long lurked within the corridors of power in Nigeria, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Despite numerous efforts to combat it, corruption remains deeply entrenched, rendering Nigeria’s governance system ineffective and the nation ungovernable.
We cannot say that during the Colonial Era that the British showed no evidence of corruption. At least, we could remember ‘tipping’ usually giving to British Police, yet the effects were not felt in governance. We talk about poverty, inequality and weak institutions today because of corruption. Many people weep not for corruption but because they have never gotten the opportunity to practice corruption.
Surreptitiously, a lot of people imagine vain things by thinking that Nigeria would get better someday. Some are even praying for their leaders to be honest, serve with integrity and lead the nation towards a noble path. Such things are what human minds can conceive but the earlier we realize the truth the better for us.
One of the former presidents, Muhammadu Buhari hypnotized many Nigerians with the axion that corruption will kill Nigeria if he doesn’t take up leadership to kill corruption. Some freedom fighters like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have severally hinted that something is wrong with a black man.
Incidentally, most of the political leaders Nigeria had governed with ruined senses. Due to endemic corruption during their tenures, disregard for the rule of law, citizens’ trust in governance were eroded. Public funds were diverted into private pockets hampering infrastructure development and social welfare programs.
In fact, the only language those leaders understood was bribery and corruption. At the time Naira and Kobo were introduced in the 1980s, ₦1:00 was equivalent to $1:00. Then, every person with a school cert. had a job and all graduates obtained house allowance, car allowance, with a profitable job.
Obviously, we could infer that Nigeria was far better under colonial rule and during the early days when the colonial template prevailed. The military struck in 1966, took over power, citing corruption and inefficiency but did the Military end corruption in Nigeria? Many civilian presidents were military men who changed to civilian but did they fight corruption? Presently, the president, vice-president, senate president and most of the governors have corruption charges, allegations hanging on their neck even through their political careers. It is a vicious circle in the country whereby a corrupt leader hands over power to the more corrupt leader.
Eventually, it is pitiable that some Nigerians are already wishing for a relief in 2027 oblivious of the fact that the system has collapsed. A point of reference is that one month after fuel subsidy was removed, the Federal Allocation Account Commission (FAAC) increased the allocation to different states and more billions of Naira were shared as palliative.
In the past, PDP had the maxim of “share the money” and that is what has taken a new form and shape. Today, citizens in Nigeria pay heavy taxes in different tags. They pay for electricity bills, pay for security, pay water bills, pay for sewage disposal but they hardly get any of these utilities and services. Most of the time, the national grid collapse and Nigerians stay in darkness with high cost of fuel.
In the just concluded AFCON 2024, no Nigerian referee featured because of corruption. All over the world, Nigerians are known for certificate forgery because of corruption. There is violence, loss of lives, killings, terrorism and banditry because of corruption. Students graduate from school without jobs because of corruption.
Sincerely, can we find 5 righteous persons in Nigeria using a biblical instance? The young generation in Nigeria do not have values, models and good footsteps/examples they can follow or look up to in life. There are potholes on the roads without repair because of corruption. The judiciary and the courts have become a rotten wood because of corruption.
Just as many people are crying, hungry and dying, others are rejoicing, singing and supporting the government because of corruption. Nigeria has two different denominations of the same currency in circulation at the same time because of corruption. 80% of Nigerian students are fraudsters, deep in cybercrime and occultism because of corruption.
There has never been any sincere effort in Nigeria to combat corruption. The EFCC, ICPC, etc. are all tools in the hands of a corrupt leader; he can use it or rue it. The trade unions, labour unions even civil society organizations cannot checkmate or call the government to order because of corruption.
Bemusedly, everyone gives an analysis of the poverty index in Nigeria, reasons for oil-curse and the GDP per capita that made Nigeria a very poor country. Everyone agrees that the government is following the instruction of the World Bank and IMF. To fight corruption in Nigeria is to endanger your life and writing about corruption in offices, judiciary, politics even to expose it, is a grave danger and risking of one’s life. Some who came out to fight corruption were consumed by corruption. The culture of impunity reigns supreme in Nigeria because of corruption.
In conclusion, corruption’s pervasive grip on Nigeria has rendered the nation ungovernable, undermining democracy, stifling economic progress, and exacerbating social inequalities. However, with concerted efforts to strengthen institutions, foster political will, and engage civil society, Nigeria can break free from the shackles of corruption and pave the way for a more prosperous and equitable future.
Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from St. Anthony’s Catholic Comprehensive Institute (SACCIA) Agulu – Anambra State
