Jonathan’s agenda deceitful’

•Prof. Osundare...

Why govt can’t fight corruption, by Osundare, Sagay, Bakare

Foremost playwright Prof. Niyi Osundare and legal scholar Prof. Itsey Sagay yesterday declared that the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Administration lacks the will and capacity to fight corruption because the federal government is immersed in theft and graft.
Osundare  said a corruption-compliant ruler cannot rule a corrupt-free country, stressing that leaders can only rule properly, according to the rule of law.
He described corruption as the most viable industry and greatest employer of labour in Nigeria, warning that the cankerworm could kill the country, if the dangerous trend is not halted by committed stakeholders.
Osundare spoke in Lagos at a lecture entitled: “Why we no longer blush: Corruption as Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. The event, chaired by Prof. Sagay, was organised by the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), led by Pastor Tunde Bakare.
The lecture, which was held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, was attended by former university dons; Prof. Ropo Sekoni, Dr. Amos Akingba; University of Lagos teacher Prof. Adimora Ezeigbo, Ambassador Tokunbo Dosunmu,  Mr. Jimi Agbaje, former Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Alapini, Chief Duro Onabule, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Mr. Moses Adeyeri, Mr. Kunle Ajibade, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Mr. Francis Ojo and Mr. Henry Boyo.
Pastor Bakare lamented that corruption has assumed an alarming dimension, recalling that the January protest by SNG and civil society groups against fuel subsidy removal was also a protest against corruption in high places.
He described President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s transformation agenda as a deceitful distraction, advising that, if a successful anti-graft war is to be waged, there should be no sacred cows.
The Latter Rain Assembly Pastor urged the government and the people to learn instructive lessons from the transition of Georgia from a corrupt country to a corrupt-free and prosperous country.
Dr. Dosunmu, the daughter of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, enjoined Nigerians to return to the sanity of the past when leaders, such as her father, showed a sense of responsibility. 
She said her political experience in the aborted Third Republic convinced her that the strange party culture under the military rule displaced the orderly evolution and responsible politics of old when committed party members strove to pay party dues and promote party discipline.
Dr Dosunmu said: “I was in PSP. People challenged me and asked: why did I bring them to a party where they would not pay dues. They said they paid dues in parties led by my father. They brought out their party cards as proof. They said once you give money to a porter (alabaru) to help you carry your load in the market, that is the end.” 
Sagay painted an awful picture of graft in the country, saying corruption is a devastating quagmire. 
He said: “N16 billion was expended on power, but it ended with the probe of contracts involving the chairman of committee that was probing the scam. The chairmen and members of the committee probing the SEC and fuel subsidy regime are now under investigation.
“We are in a situation where we have to find a policeman to police the police. Corruption is destroying the country’s chance of development. Is there any hope for the future? Something must be done before it is too late”.
Osundare said: “Nigeria is a kleptocracy. Corruption is Nigeria’s fastest growing industry. If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria”.
He lamented that “the higher the amount of money stolen, the more your name appears on the order of merit list and you win election”.
Recalling the corruption allegations against former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Commodore Bode George (rtd) and electoral flaws under the former Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) boss Prof. Maurice Iwu, Osundare said Nigeria had become a moral desert, political jungle and haven for criminals. 
The playwright urged the audience to ponder on the effects of corruption in all sectors, including economy, banking, aviation, bar and bench and religion.
Osundare said: “All the disasters, road accidents, Dana Air plane  crash, Boko Haram violence; these clusters of calamities are traceable to corruption. Corruption killed the railway system, which would have reduced the pressure on the roads.
“Why is the Nigerian road full of” Tokunbo” cars and airspace racketing :Tokunbo” planes. Where are previous reports? All we have is investigation without an end, recommendation without implementation and reports that are dumped”.
The university don lamented that, due to corruption, attention was being shifted from the fuel subsidy scam report to the investigation of the investigators. 
He flayed  Jonathan’s position on declaration of assets, stressing that his “I-don’t-give- a-damn attitude” to matters of probity and transparency was condemnable.
Osundare observed that the immunity clause in the Constitution had created leaders with impunity. 
To stem corruption, Osundare canvassed the strengthening of the coalition of civil society groups to fight corruption.
He said: “They should mobilise people to embark on massive action and probe why few people are tirelessly rich and many are poor”.