“No society is immune from corruption but, the commitment to
tackling it, to stemming this evil that is anathema to growth and development
on the continent must be the main goal of African leaders in the 21st century,”
according to US president Barack Obama at the 23RD AU summit in
Addis-Ababa where he addressed the organization’s Heads of government and
general assembly.
Obama’s statement is an admittance of the vulnerability of all
societies and countries either in first or third world to the scourge called
corruption but, the existence and efficacy of the structure put in place;
Basically, Law and enforcement are the major factor that defines or measure the
excesses of this menace and the seriousness or tolerance level of any
government to confronting it.
And talking about tolerance level and seriousness, two important
features that a society and its political leadership must have in considerable
dose to fight corruption, the Chinese government sets the tone.
Ever since Mao led a communist revolution in the 50s, China has
gradually evolved from a once-fledgling country to an economic powerhouse and a
dominant player on the international scene.
How did the Chinese do it? Sheer political willingness and
desire to realize a dream and maximize the unearthed potentials abound in its
vast landmass. And years after Mao’s exit, Asia’s biggest economy still
thrives-thanks to the legacies of Mao and other successive Chinese leaders
still holding sway and revered in the Communist Party.
China’s leadership though not flawless, still values the sanity
and purification of its society.
Over the years, they have not hidden their disgust for
corruption within and outside the government. China’s communist government has
interpreted the adage “What is good for the geese, is good for the gander” on
few occasions and with reverberating effect. The way and manner they handled Bo
Xiliai, a former party chieftain and heavyweight lends credence to this.
Bo, who administered the inland city of Chongqing and also a
member of the Communist party’s Politbro-its top 25 officials- prior to his
arrest on corruption and embezzlement charges was considered as one of the
untouchables and important figures in the party’s inner circle. However, the
full fang of the law bore down on him and he was sentenced to life imprisonment
after he was found guilty of corruption and abuse of power.
Fast forward to 2015, and the Chinese zero tolerance for
corruption in any form or guise is still on display. Recently, the communist
party leadership rolled out new laws though, likely considered to be eccentric
and overboard by critics, but it simply shows that Beijing is not ready to take
its foot off the gas in the fight against the scourge.
Under the new laws, party members and government officials are
forbidden to display any form of lavish lifestyle; Smoking expensive Cigars,
consumption of wines, having extra-marital affairs and playing golf-a game
considered as elitist-are now a taboo. Instead, they are expected to stay
healthy, exercise and live a decent lifestyle. The whole idea is to mirror a
leadership that is in tune with the yearnings of ordinary Chinese masses and
serve as role models to the younger ones.
Light years ahead of my beloved country’s limp rhetoric and
fight against corruption.
It is disheartening to see a country so blessed like Nigeria
wallow in abject poverty. Abundant mineral resources most especially Oil has
failed to bring the desired effect on millions of Nigerians. Why? Unchecked
economic looting and massive theft of billions of naira accruing from oil sales
by past military governments and their cronies have stunted the growth of the
country thereby, leaving its development and progress in a vegetative state.
And even democratic rule has brought little or no respite.
The impunity that characterized the looting of the nation’s
resources under previous Jonathan government and its lethargic approach to it
surmises the type of leaders we have in this country. Under grueling and
excruciating economic pains Nigerians were subjected to, the previous
government acted as if nothing was amiss. Corruption thrived with his consent.
His body language and statement during one of his televised
speech to the nation where he said “corruption is not the major problem
affecting Nigeria” lends credence to this.
That statement clearly showed the seriousness and tolerance
level of a leadership towards a menace that has been considered as the Achilles
heel to prosperity and attaining development in the country. Since it was not
an issue, former Aviation minister, Stella Oduah could afford to expend
225million Naira on two bullet proof cars, and still walk away.
Since corruption was not an issue for the Jonathan government,
Oil minister Alison Maduekwe could afford to run the oil ministry aground and
Abba Moro, former interior minister could make billions off unemployed millions
of Nigerian youth out there for a job that was just a smokescreen.
Lest I forget, Dasuki could afford to collect billions in
defence contract that was needed to equip the military to fight Boko Haram
without delivering the weapons to the soldiers in the battle field.
Bet, these crimes wouldn’t have happened if Nigeria were to be a
China.
But, we are not Chinese however we could take a cue from them.
With the wind of change that swept across the country ushering
in the government of President Muhammad Buhari, it seems the toga of
ineptitude, unwillingness and lethargic approach to fighting corruption within
the government circle is being shed. The handling of “DASUKI GATE” attests to
this.
Ever since investigations opened into the dealings of the former
NSA head, revelations and leads have kept cropping up. And it is believed more
would be unfolded.
For what it is, after years of lip service to tackling
corruption within the government circle by successive governments, the APC led
government of PMB has taken a bold step in arresting the situation. Its
willingness to do so deserves commendation.
Nigerians have watched looters loot and walk freely to enjoy
their loot. But with the ongoing investigation into Dasuki contract scam,
optimism seems to be setting in again for the citizens of Africa’s most
populous country. And there is renewed belief that if the present regime can
pull this off, then other economic crimes that have gone unattended to in other
sectors of the economy might eventually get the search light.
“Good behaviours are copied, while the bad ones are discarded,”
Nigeria can look towards the Far East and learn one or two things from the
Chinese model when it comes to fighting corruption.
Sheer political willingness and determination to effect change
will steady the present government on course to cleansing the country of this
menace.
It is simply the leadership that matters. We have laws and
enforcement structure in place like the Chinese do, but the difference that
sets both countries apart is the “Rule of law” and the political will to
implement the law irrespective of status, clime or class of the personality
involved.
The Chinese have successfully done this while we are yet to do
so.
But, under the present regime, guess Nigerians can hope for a
change in attitude and approach to this menace that has been the bane of the
country’s progress. And the only way that Buhari can assuage the pains of
Nigerians is to lay the foundation of a corruption-free government with
zero-tolerance for the scourge by opting for the “Made in China” model
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