There is no corruption in Nigeria. Nigerian politicians are thieves, but they are not corrupt.
Apologies to the former President, Ebele Jonathan, who once told the media when he was in power that what many Nigerians refer to as corruption is stealing. Stealing is not the same thing as corruption.
This perspective has brought great relief to Nigerians. We always thought there was too much corruption in the country. So it is fantastic to learn that there is no corruption at all.
We are just thieves. It is necessary to bring this new insight to the attention of Transparency International, which persistently lists Nigeria as one of the most corrupt countries. We need to tell the world that we have “re-based” the corruption index in Nigeria and found it to be non-existent.
It seems once you accept a government appointment in Nigeria, be you a Career Diplomat or picked to head a parastatal (not even an elective position), you become a ‘number one’ enemy to the public. It doesn’t matter if you mean well, if your hands are tainted with filthy lucre or not, if you are a technocrat whose expertise was sought; you will be marked.
Some of the masses are unforgiving and insensitive towards any issues plaguing a government official. Remember, even the well-loved late Professor Dora Akunyili had her fair share of public outrage. It appears some of these unforgiving masses rejoice at any bad news concerning these groups of people.
I know Nigerians have been bruised through bad governance, I know we are unhappy with the state of affairs, I know we hardly trust the government because of our history, past, and present and it is understandable. However, sometimes the hatrd is unfounded (note that I am not talking about politicians here, not that anyone deserves hte).
There is so much bile, the ‘bad bellies’ can’t be contained. You see these patterns on social media, even against people from rich backgrounds (some who haven’t even smelt the corridors of power in their lives but who got rich through their sweat). This set of angry folks wish so much evil upon the perceived elites and tag them enemies. Their families, especially children, are not spared.
You may be wondering why I am putting up
this post.
The breaking news that the EFCC chairman slumped at an event in Abuja is what informed this post. To be honest, I do not know so much about this top anti-corruption Boss. But the bile I’ve read on social media since the news and videos surfaced is nothing to write home about. Some of these aggrieved citizens are asking for his head. ‘How dare he say he’s fighting corruption, he’s better dead,’ they say. ‘If he likes he should di,’ ‘why won’t he slump’ and so on.
All I see is misplaced anger and the lack of differentiation between politicians and appointed officials. Note that I am not holding sway for any government of the day, this is just my observation. There are a lot of misinformed youths out there and the outcome is not palatable.
I wish the EFCC Boss a speedy recovery.
~ Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.