The fever of British exit (Brexit) from the European Union (EU), currently rocking Prime Minister David Cameron’s fantastically beautiful country, would have ordinarily been my choice topic today considering its topicality, aroma and the implication to Britain, Europe, America, Africa and Asia. But, I am so conscious of an Igbo proverb which says that ‘a man whose house is on fire does not pursue rats’ and since charity begins at home, I would rather put out the smoldering domestic fire, which would have catastrophic consequences if it explodes, before attempting to put out the raging political inferno ignited by Brexit.
Before then, let me predict that Brexit may naturally provoke other exits not only in Europe and America but also in Asia and Africa, including Nigeria. Let me also predict that the beginning death of large nations in preference for smaller ones is fast approaching. Thanks for indulging me graciously on the necessary asides. Now back to the fire at the home front. It is all about our manner of prosecuting the anti-graft wars of the change government. Despite our many years of fighting the corruption monster, the demon has stubbornly refused to die. It is still kicking in certain and unimaginable quarters with careless abandon.
Let me state from the onset that I abhor corruption in all its ramifications. I would also like to embrace any legitimate measure tailored to exterminate corruption from Nigeria. Multiparty democracy is good but I am afraid of the vicious brand we unfortunately operate in Nigeria.
We tend to run an exclusive democracy instead of an inclusive one. I am equally worried of the way the anti-corruption war is going. Critics of the change government say that the corruption war is not in order. They say it is political and selective. Mind you, this accusation is not peculiar to the present dispensation. Previous regimes’ graft wars had been so accused of the same lopsidedness but with differing intensity and texture. The critics also say that the anti-corruption machinery is only unleashed on perceived enemies of the government.  And these political foes are legion. Sadly, most of them are found in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former behemoth, now playing the opposition card without any element of due diligence and seriousness. When the All Progressives Congress (APC) central government felt uncomfortable with the composition of the leadership of the 8th National Assembly, especially the Red Chamber, it unleashed the anti-corruption machine to politically crush the Senate President, Dr.  Bukola Saraki.
Before one could spell Ilorin, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) dragged Saraki to court over the contents of his assets declaration when he was a governor in Kwara State, some years ago.  The matter has dragged so long that Nigerians have lost interest over it because what Saraki is being tried for is not peculiar to him. It is a general ‘sin’ of almost all our politicians, including those in the ruling party.
When the Saraki court drama appears to be losing momentum, those in power went for an over-kill, scripted another act and accused him and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, of forging the House Rule. The epic drama is still unfolding in the court. If both of them are remanded in prison, a likely scenario, the House will be rudderless and thrown into commotion.
Almost all the known faces in PDP have been named over one corruption allegation or the other running into billions of dollars, euros and naira of our collective patrimony. They say that all the billions of ‘our papa’ money were allegedly stolen only when the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was in power.
It is indeed an irony that those fighting corruption deliberately ignored the names of APC members accused of corruption. They still keep mum even when they are reminded that some APC people were also treasury looters. At times, they offer lame excuses why the government is not probing APC members.
The way things are right now, it appears that the anti-corruption war is a one-sided story which sadly precludes the other side. We run the risk of a single story. Apart from being incomplete, it lacks authenticity. That is the dilemma of our current anti-graft war. The government must try to avoid this present danger and balance the corruption probe.
They have harassed and almost silenced Olisa Metu, Femi Fani-Kayode and some other PDP bigwigs. Their latest and perhaps the ‘biggest’ catch so far is the tough-talking and grassroots Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose. His ordeal was long anticipated because he has been a strong and special critic of President Muhammadu Buhari.  But such harassments and political trials should be done with decorum and civility because we are in a democracy. Many Nigerians have condemned the freezing of Fayose’s personal account since he still has immunity.
It is good that the governor has challenged the action in the court. We are eagerly waiting for the outcome. Remember that since Fayose defeated the APC in Ekiti State, the party had strived to unsettle him. They should accept defeat and move on. From Ekiti, it appears the harassment is heading toward Rivers State.
And, if The Punch story of June 24, 2016 over alleged withdrawal of N11 billion from the Rivers State Government’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria by the Director of Finance and Administration of the State’s Government, Kingsley Fubara, between October 2015 and February 2016, is anything to go buy, then there is strong indication that the anti-corruption ship will soon berth in Rivers, State. Is the allegation real or a sort of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it?
Interestingly, the Rivers State Government has through the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Dr. Austin Tam-George, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) denied the allegation. Is there any link between Governor Nyesom Wike’s electoral victory and the seeming attempt to destabilize the state government through such allegation and the looming EFCC probe? It appears that the Rivers gubernatorial election is not yet over for some APC chieftains in the State.
Who says that our democracy must have one aso-ebi which all Nigerians must wear? We should make multiparty democracy survive in Nigeria. A descent to one-party state, which one aso-ebi suggests, will strangulate this democracy and the country.
The APC should watch it. Opposition politicians should be allowed to exist. There should be no attempt to destabilize the government of Rivers State or any other opposition state through funny probe. Let us respect the immunity clause as enshrined in the constitution. Muzzling the opposition as apparently being done presently is problematic.
The present bolekaja politics portends danger. We should run our democracy the right way and avoid killing the opposition. Those in opposition should rise up and defend our democracy.  They should not be intimidated. Let them speak out against undemocratic actions of the government. Injustice to one is injustice to all. Wike should be spared of any distraction so that he can deliver his electoral promises to Rivers people.

Related News