body-container-line-1
16.05.2016 Editorial

Please Show The Way, President Buhari

By Ghanaian Chronicle
Please Show The Way, President Buhari
16.05.2016 LISTEN

On Saturday, the Nigerian Daily Post published a story, which quoted the President of the Republic, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, as saying that come May 29, 2016 he would reveal the identities of persons who have milked the country dry of its hard-earned cash.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that he will name looters of public funds in a speech he intends to deliver on May 29,” the story stated. President Buhari did not end there, but went ahead to point out that after naming all the looters of Nigeria's money, he would ensure that all such corrupt individuals are prosecuted.

Under the headline; “I will name looters of Nigeria's money on May 29 -Buhari”, the story said the Nigerian President was speaking to journalists on the sideline of the Anti-Corruption Summit, which was held in London, a few days ago. He said: “So far, what has come out is what has been recovered in whatever currency from ministries, departments and individuals.

“I intend, on the 29th, to speak on this, because all Nigerians are getting from the mass media because of the number of people arrested either by the EFCC, DSS. But we want to make a comprehensive report on the 29th.”

On whether the names of those indicted will be published, he said: “Yes, eventually, it has to be done, because we want to successfully prosecute them. But you know you cannot go to the courts unless you have documents for prosecution.

“People signed for these monies into their personal accounts, their banks gave statements that the money is there, when it came, how much, and so on.” Reacting to the allegation of selective prosecution, Buhari stated: “That is an accusation against the law enforcement agencies. But I assure you that we do not interfere. Try and get those who are now under arrest, you will find out it is across the board.”

The Chronicle is fascinated by the bold manner in which the Nigerian President is determined to name, shame and prosecute persons who have looted the country of its hard-earned cash that could have been used to take care of the pressing needs of the totality of Nigerians.

If Mr. Buhari is, indeed, able to mention the names of all the people who have looted the country, and ensures that they are prosecuted, then he will be the first West Africa leader, or Africa for that matter, to have named and brought leaders who looted their countries to book.

African leaders, politicians, civil and public servants, among others, have over the years looted their respective countries and stuck the monies in foreign banks for their parochial interests, to the extent that some of these persons are richer than their countries.

The Chronicle believes that such attitudes of African leaders must stop, and the time is now. The onus, therefore, lies on President Buhari to point the continent in the right direction, by becoming sincere with himself, first and foremost, and carry on this assignment without fear or favour.

By so doing, he would be showing the way to the rest of our African leaders, and people who matter, to undertake similar exercises to name, shame and prosecute persons who have decided to turn their respective countries into the cow, and milk it dry.

Some Nigerians have, however, expressed fears that the Nigerian leaders may be embarking on a witch-hunting fling to get rid of his political enemies, and he is only using this as a cover up for what he intends to do.

These Nigerians have, consequently, hinted that since they already know which of their leaders and politicians looted and damaged the country, they expect nothing less from Mr. Buhari, else it would confirm their suspicions of his witch-hunting agenda.

“It will be utter diversion of the truth if he enumerates the names of the PDP leaders and members without mentioning Atiku, Amaechi, Tinubu, Fashola and the previous governors, President and ex-military dictators including himself,” one of the critics said.

The Chronicle wishes Mr. Buhari well, but would caution that he must carry out this mandate to the last letter, and allow our African leaders, especially President John Dramani Mahama, to follow suit.

Please, show the way, Mr. President!

body-container-line