–Nigerians Speak
Nigerians were shocked few days ago to hear about the sack of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, from office as the former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, a government agency charged with the responsibility of apprehending alleged financial crime offenders and charging them to the court of law if found guilty of such criminal charges.
Hence, it was indeed surprising to Nigerians, when President Muhammadu Buhari, dismissed the EFCC Acting Chairman, based on several allegations of corruption charges, which led to his arrest by the Department of State Security (DSS) and Mr. Magu’s subsequent trial of misappropriation of funds recovered by the commission and allegations of corrupt practices leveled against him, by the Presidential investigation panel.
With this ugly development, the question that comes to one’s mind is, “Has EFCC Lived Up To The Expectations Of Nigerians?”.
Here are the views of some respondents who bared their minds on the issue.
Evang. Ehitito Ehiabor, A Full Time Evangelist of God, said “It’s so unfortunate and so sad that EFCC the supposed agency whose mission was needed in our country to at least reduce corruption and corrupt activities to the barest minimum, has failed woefully. On the surface the idea of setting up the agency was a good objective but beneath it, they use it as a tool to witch hunt their opponents and those who are against everything they are doing that is not democratic, that is not for the good of the citizens which is the purpose of true democracy, it is so sad. However, we are not surprise with the latest discovery of the exposition of the man that was supposed to be in charge of this agency, who is worst than those being hunted to punish because of their corrupt activities.
Indeed, it is most disheartening and very sad that it has gotten to this stage. But again as Nigerians who are God fearing, we are not surprised because before now we have been seeing all kinds of drama being performed by the people in power, that instead of them doing the right things which they were elected to do, they are rather doing the opposite, that today most Nigerians are shedding tears, instead of solving the problems of society, the leaders are increasing the suffering of the masses, of which the people have no choice but to run to Jesus Christ, the One and only hope for humanity which I believe sincerely and I am using this avenue to call upon all Nigerians who are fed up with this evil, that if you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, this is the time for you to do so, to surrender your life to Jesus Christ because if you do, no matter the evil that the leaders are perpetuating, none will come to your dwelling place. Jesus Christ will take good care of you, He will meet all your needs because He is a good Lord, therefore we Pray that Jesus Christ will kill corruption in Nigeria in Jesus Name, Amen”.
Mr. Emina, A Security Officer, said “EFCC has not lived up to expectation because EFCC have been busy pursuing the opponents of the government, the APC opponents, so they are not doing the real work which they are assigned to do. We are now surprise that the federal government is investigating Magu, the embattled former Chairman of EFCC, to me I don’t think that Magu alone should be investigated, if Nigeria was to be a place where the Rule of Law operates, the President of the country should have also been investigated, because I can remember vividly that the President sent Magu’s name twice to the Senate and twice the Senate rejected the nomination of Magu, and then the President said that in view that the Senate rejected him, that he should keep on Acting, in Acting capacity as the Chairman of EFCC. Today, we are hearing that the government led by the same President is investigating Magu, Personally, I think it’s all disco jamboree and nothing is going to come out of it. What I believe in my mind is that there is something fishy somewhere with regards to the problem in EFCC, either among the loot they have within themselves that is causing trouble. It is not today they know that Magu is a thief or embezzling funds under his care, the government knows him better than myself.
It is rather unfortunate because there is no way to correct the anomalies, Nigerians should just sit down and watch, the government has taken over the case and they are the ones we look unto, every time they tell the public a different thing and they do another thing. What the masses should do is to Pray to God, and that is what we are doing, how are we going to challenge them? Nigeria is in a mess in the present situation, today you hear a different story, next tomorrow you hear another story, how do you stand on such situation? So they know better. This is the type of government that we say we are managing, yet somebody will come and tell you that they are fighting corruption, while they are the Chief Corrupt Officers in the Country”.
Mr. Okpala Ezekiel, A Businessman, said “The leadership of EFCC and their officials have failed the entire nation, the trust we had on them has been totally betrayed and it is very unfortunate. There is an Agbor adage which says that, “God should not allow the person whom we usually adhere to his instructions accuse us wrongly of misconduct”, EFCC has accused us wrongly and have betrayed the initial trust and confidence we had on them. My question now is, How will EFCC have the courage to arrest others persons who are indicted of corruption charges?
From my personal observation, some of the problems we are having emanates from the area of government appointment, the thing is not properly done by the federal government. If you are not from the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group you will not get a key position in Nigeria, presently all principal positions in Nigeria are being occupied by the Hausa/Fulani, even the person that was appointed to take over from
Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Acting capacity as the new Chairman of EFCC is also a Hausa/Fulani. Are we not going to face the same problem? So, it now means that sensitive key positions in Nigeria is meant for only the Hausa/Fulanis. Why?
Well, my advice to the government based on the above observation is that if one person cannot be able to lead Nigeria as a country, let them divide the country into Six Geopolitical Zones, so that it will be properly and effectively governed. Nigeria has so many children, let us divide them into Six Geopolitical Zones, so that it will enable us achieve true Federalism, which invariably will make the zones to be fully committed in whatever they are doing. As it is now we should not relax depending on crude oil alone, when there are several other areas to beam our torch light to invest upon in rejuvenating our dwindling economy. Hence, I am of the opinion that if Nigeria as a country is divided many hands will be on deck to develop their zones speedily”.
