Former Ghana president, Jerry Rawlings, has launched a scathing attack on the Nigerian government's anti-corruption record, severely criticizing the leadership's failure to punish politicians who steal public funds.



While the Nigerian leadership pays "lip service" to corrupt officials looting billions, Mr. Rawlings said Monday, it directs its resources at persecuting anti-graft fighters, and prosecuting petty thieves.

"Corrupt politicians in Nigeria escape punishment. We cannot continue to pay lip service to the strengthening, empowerment and independent management of our multiple anti-corruption institutions," Mr. Rawlings said in a speech at the National Legislative Institute in Abuja on Monday.

"We live in countries where poor, petty thieves get imprisoned for several years while businessmen who evade taxes in millions of dollars or politicians who misappropriate millions of state funds escape punishment."

Mr. Rawlings is well reputed for his tough stance against official graft. As military ruler of Ghana, he executed his country's past leaders, accusing them of corruption.

He said Africa lost at least $38.4 billion and $25 billion in 2008 and 2010 respectively to illicit financial outflows.

"These inequalities are recopies for retrogression of our democracies and we cannot allow the negative to continue. As I said earlier a democracy that cannot provide socio-economic justice cannot be a healthy democracy and will remain vulnerable," he said.

The former leader's comment came a week after a spokesperson for President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati, said Nigerians should blame the judiciary for the administration's poor record on corruption.

In an interview with the Pilot newspaper, Mr. Abati said the administration has done well tackling official stealing through preemptive measures. He said if the public failed to notice increased conviction, then it was the fault of the judiciary.

Mr. Rawlings urged Africans to reject henceforth laws allowing the president to choose their countries' Chief Justice, to ensure true independence of the judiciary.

"Our institutions are weak because we do not strengthen and protect them adequately in our constitutions," he said. "While the legislature can enact laws that empower institutions, constitutional entrenchment of such provisions would ensure that political parties with majority control within legislative assemblies do not manipulate the power of these institutions."

He advised that the appointment should go through a consultative process that the president will not manipulate.

"Nigeria has made giant strides over the past decade politically but still faces complicated challenges , which many of you will bear with me has socio-cultural implications that have been ignored for a significant period," he said.

He said Africa's democratic institutions are poorly equipped to offer the best support to government.

"It is embarrassing sometimes to observe our various legislative assemblies struggle to competently debate issue of serious national concern because members are handicapped information wise," he said.

egift: Nigeria's challenges are big and enormous. We need men with courage, foresight, free from all entanglements and ready to develop this country. Nigeria is a sleeping giant. Her people are suffering under the burden of corruption.

Give us Buhari/Fashola (2015-2019) Let's rebuild this nation together and lay a lasting foundation for growth. Nigerians the decision is ours.

bobthebuilder99: The only thing GEJ is doing is reforming the power sector.

Everything else is stagnating or moving forward in baby steps, especially the fight against corruption.

sayso:
Going by what Rawlings said,I think the best option Nigeria has is your suggested candidate.But can we cope immediately with their program?

boron10: We do not need the judiciary to convict these corrupt politicians. Can't we start a revolution that would change our country for good?

bobthebuilder99: The only thing GEJ is doing is reforming the power sector.

Everything else is stagnating or moving forward in baby steps, especially the fight against corruption.

emmysenior: If bringing all of them is anything to come by, then they should be ready for much congestions in all the prisons all over the country, and if they so desire to give them death sentence, then I guess our population will be reduce by 1/4 because even all past and present Directors and HODs of ministries, commissioners, perm seconds, bankers, all past and present senators, house of rep members, govs, presidents, ministers, advisers, aids, oil moguls, etc will all be massacred.

C me o: I don't know why this has not made frontpage yet.

Gbawe: I bet Okupe, Maku, Abati and Omokri are already working on a ten-page retort of insults against Rawlings

ckkris: In Ghana JJ killed THREE GENERALS and Ghanaians leaders started obeying their own laws. In Nigeria how many should be killed? Not just Generals, but even traditional rulers and teachers, not to talk Cevil Servants. Nigeria ain't Ghana.

donroxy: The kinda leaders @ the helms of affairs is just the problem ::::::::::::::::Just Imagine Farida Waziri and this Puppet Lamorde were given the kinda chances Ribadu had:::::::::::::::Corruption would have reduced minimally in Nigeria !!!


I know very soon,Nigerians shall get to a stage where real Technocrats and those who are fit to rule would emerged as leaders!!!


Very Soon !!!

berem: I guess we should wait for the 40 man lappy doggies headed by Sincere 9gerian to condemn Jerry Rawlings first.

iykofias: Wot r u jonathan attack dogs waiting for?. Lynch ds guy

iykofias: Wot r u jonathan attack dogs waiting for?. Lynch ds guy

GenBuhari: keep waiting evolution - time is running out for Nigeria.

Have you considered what would happen when crude oil prices crashes?

berem: How can it make front page when Jonathan's name was omitted in another thread as a one time corrupt governor?

The only man who shares the same ideology with Rawlings as an anti corruption crusader is Buhari. Both of them have some striking similarities. They don't tolerate corruption!

Come 2015,Buhari will revive our sick nation again and free Nigerians from the strangling hands of Corruption.






SAI BUHARI 2015!!