Anti-corruption war by the Muhammadu Buhari administration is
throwing up many latter-day saints who indulge in making claims about
how much was stolen and by whom. The latest in this game of mind- blowing claims involves a senator of
the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Senator Shehu Sani, who
disclosed, recently, that over $200 billion is stashed away in Dubai,
the United Arab Emirate by corrupt Nigerians.
According to him, the money was used to acquire real estates,
purchase exotic houses and other investments in business partnerships in
the last 16 years by politicians using family members and other
cronies. For him, these corrupt politicians, including APC members who were in
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may have soiled their hands while
in that former ruling party.
What Senator Sani is saying is that only PDP politicians are corrupt.
That APC politicians who acquired any stain of corruption must have
done so while in PDP. His argument also implies that APC members, simply
by belonging to that party, are incorruptible. That, in our opinion, is
a weird remark to make because it cannot possibly be true. As is easily
discernible, corruption cuts across all the strata of government and
not just at the federal level.
To start with, how did the distinguished senator arrive at the figure
of $200 billion? Since he claims that those who own those investments
are PDP members and APC members who cross- carpeted from PDP, why is he
hedging in substantiating his allegation by mentioning names? Because he
spoke like one with unassailable facts.
Furthermore, we think that Senator Sani, if he is not to be dismissed
as a publicity seeking rabble-rouser, should do the security agencies
some favour and pass that information on to them because they will
certainly need it in their investigation and possible prosecution of the
cases.
The war on corruption, in our view, is not one to be reduced to a
child’s play by the grandstanding propensities and loquacious tendencies
of otherwise important public office holders who take delight in
hearing their own voices.
As far as corruption is concerned, in Nigeria today, all have sinned
and have surely fallen short of the glory of God. No amount of
sanctimonious preachment can remove that fact. So, Shehu Sani is
expected to be part of the campaign. Unguarded statements, even by a
senator, is a distraction and unhelpful at this time. Nigerians in
general and the security agencies in particular, need incontrovertible
evidence against suspects and not political posturing just to be heard.
We also feel worried that in this fight against corruption, an
impression is being created that it is all about demonising politicians
and the political class. That, in our opinion, will not only be
unfortunate but a deliberate effort to deny Nigerians the truth about
what actually went wrong in the governance structure. The politicians
who are now, deservedly, being exposed to all manner of scurrilous
attacks did not operate in a vacuum. They have their accomplices in the
Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs. The civil servants must
have things to tell the listening public.
It is not unlikely that they may be the ones trying to obfuscate the
cleansing process by feeding lawmakers and the media with figures that,
on the face value, add very little that is important to the ongoing
drive to sanitise the system.
List of the politicians:
Bola Ahmed Tinubu - six houses as we as other business concerns in Dubai
Aminu Waziri Tambuwai - has a properties in Dubai
Atiku Abubakar - 0wns Massive in Dubai
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole - owns properties in Dubai and some other African countries
Gov Rauf Aregbesola - own massive properties in Dubai
Chibuike Rotimo Amaechi - owns 3 five star Hotels in Dubai and as well as several Businesses
Chief BIsi Akande - owns properties in Dubai
others mentioned are Babatunde Fashola , Governor Tanko Almakura, Governor Kashim Shettima, Hon F. Gbajabiamila, Hajia Ramatu Tijani, Timupre Sylve, Rochas Okorocha, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, General Abdulrahman Dambazzau, Dasuki Jalo, Bukola Saraki and Chief Tom Ikimi. Other names will be published later. Always check for updates.