This is not a demand for Bar-Beach Show of those Governors who have stole us blind; we are demanding deterrent so that others will not show such avarice while in office. Yes we are getting tired of why these kleptomaniacs are still vying for position of trust in our Government of the day. No wonder, some Nigerians swear that if they get there, they will steal too. There is no way anyone can tell us that EFCC is not put on a dog leash.
It is ironic that EFCC with their experience, are now transferring Governors’ files to ICPC in the name of Operation HAWK, as if EFCC performed Operation DOVE. In the same manner, EFCC could not probe Ehindero because of the way Tafa Balogun was dealt with. Only the common men deserve humiliation, amputation and firing squad, abi? Who is fooling whom?
Some of the excuses for no action range from waiting for due process as usual, compiling fool proof evidence, avoiding political confrontation, to waiting for the Government to stabilize under Yar’A-Go-Slow/Men-At-Work. Some of you may remember or may still see that sign on the streets to caution motorists while road repairs last for ever. What is this Government going to show for the first one hundred days?
Wait a minute, what evidence were they compiling for four or eight years, or what were previous indictments based on? Are the ICPC investigators more familiar with the EFCC investigations than EFCC investigators or may be they are going to start all over again. It is not too early to shout, it may be getting too late before these men pass through our security checks with flying colors. In our Country camels do pass through needles. There is something funny going on here and it is hard to keep quiet. If anything, this is the time to show that those who will be prosecuted are not at the behest of Obasanjo.
These crooks that should never be heard from are now even making civilized noise in the papers like great former statesmen. Charity begins at home State of Lagos. There are rumors that Tinubu actually from Iragbiji in Osun State is making both political deals as part of the new Federal Government and money deals with EFCC, now with ICPC like other former rogue Governors. Abacha’s son made one of those deals with Obasanjo, only to later thumb his nose. That is why Tinubu’s finger prints are all over the list sent by Fashola for confirmation by the Lagos Senate.
The good people of Enugu State were out calling for the probe of their former Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani. We are wide awake, watching Yar’Adua’s moves. People who have been milked to blood in the North, in the South and Center are calling for probes before some emboldened copy cats that now assume offices and are encouraged to milk us to death. Since nothing is done to their predecessors, there is no reason to honest.
If we want decent people to take us seriously about corruption, we must not loose the momentum at this point. We cried so much about selective probe of perceived enemies, now we are supposed to be silent because we do not want to heat up the polity. Ali Baba must be laughing his head off! He got rightly exposed for daring the forty thieves.
One of the pledges made during the campaign is the continuation of the war against corruption and there was a sigh of relief when Ribadu was reappointed. We do not even know if he still exists. Nigerians must understand that we have to shout and propagate anti corruption messages all over like health education and information, operation WAI or KAI. Those who think Ribadu should do more and talk less are grossly mistaken. Nobody can catch all the thieves but the shout of Ole, Onyeosi and Barawo must be loud enough to turn on people attention. ICPC did not and will not do that.
Some of the older folks may remember Victor Olaiya’s record which was a form of public campaign then. It warned that if you want to be rich, don’t break in: To ba fe lowo ko mase fole, Fole o Gbewa! O Gbewa! O Gbewa!
There are some hardened criminals who will steal no matter what and they are ready to suffer the consequences and go to jail if caught. Do not spare them. There are others who fear being caught. They fear embarrassment, soiled family name and public ridicule. Do not encourage them. That is why public campaign is very important.
Those of us who have accused Ribadu of aggrandizement and little to show in conviction may now be regretting if we have inadvertently helped to silence him. It is not that we do not know our Country or our people but our sense of fairness overcame our sense of justice. Criminals are roaming our streets freely. Some of us are getting comfortable as if the eras of kleptomaniacs are over. They are still here starring at us with two fingers in their face – oobi!
International organizations are telling us how to cut corruption as if we are oblivious to any form of decency or we are totally lacking in the management of our money. They use pitiful foreign aid as an example of their generosity and compare it to the amount of money used to bail out Europe after World War. In short, they excuse their own guilt of unfair trading practices that has crippled Africa.
It was not surprising then that when Obasanjo claimed that allegation of corruption by a former head of State was just water cooler speculation at one of the G8 meetings, he was obliged to a list of corrupt Nigerians. How many of us thought that Obasanjo did not know more than he was admitting to these foreign head of states? I sincerely hope that we are not waiting for another list from the G8. We need to move fast.
MR. PRESIDENT IT PAYS TO BE A ROGUE EX-GOVERNOR
By
Farouk Martins, Omo Aresa
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Ayo New York, USA July 06, 2007
This is beyond Ribadu. He can only pedal as much as Yaradua will allow him. I think the guy is ready if given the go ahead.
Skinner Manchester., united kingdom. July 04, 2007
Na wah ooh,so wit all the noise wey Mallam Ribadu dey make dat time sey all the corrupt governors go face corruption charges immediately afta May 29 na notin but empty noise.
Infact nobody ever thought that by now those bastards would not be cooling their nerves in the custody of the EFCC.
I, as a person strongly beleived that Mallam Ribadu soft pedaled because most of the corrupt ex - governors were maily P.D.P governors. If not,the likes of lucky Igbinedon, Chimaroke Nnamani, James Ibori, Peter Odili,Joshua Dariye and so many others should be facing corruption charges by now.
I would like to pass this message to Mallam Ribadu that the whole world is watching his reluctant response to this issue.
And to the looters who thought they have escaped prosecution, they should be aware that Charles Taylor, former Liberian president is being brought to book now after so many years of his reign of terror.
This is nothing but a sound warning to them all including Baba Iyabo himself.
Bolanle Berlin, Germany July 03, 2007
Na true you talk,e be like say we dey move forward and backward at the same time. this Aboki wey everybody dey talk say na good man, we hope say the goodness na only for truth and no be for the corrupt ones too.
Gee Cando Worthing, UK July 03, 2007
Na wao. I don't know what is taken our honourable president so long before he can show his stand on corrupt ex governors. It seems he is bowing down to prssure but this can't be acceptable.
Mr OBJ I hope you are watching, please if nothing is done we might campaign for you to come back.
Ayo New York, USA July 03, 2007
This is not an ethnic palava, it is the oppressors belly ache. Ribadu made so many of them uncomfortable and they will get rid of him. It is a shame.
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