Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, has said that past elections in the country had produced criminals as lawmakers and leaders.



She also said the country was yet to witness true democracy, because political parties had remained breeding grounds for corrupt leaders.



Waziri’s comments were contained in an address presented at a roundtable discussion with producers and executives of electronic media based in Abuja on Wednesday. The statement was read on her behalf by her Special Assistant on Pubic Enlightenment, Mr. Othman Abubakar.



She said criminals usually found their way into power because the electoral process that produced them was still mired in thuggery, rigging and lawlessness.



In line with her earlier vow that the 2011 elections would not be ‘business as usual,’ she said the EFCC was poised to intensify its campaign against corrupt politicians by mobilising the electorate against them.



“Nigeria today is no longer considered as non-cooperating in the fight against corruption and terrorism; but we are seen as a country with less risk of doing business.



“Nevertheless, we still have a long way to go in becoming the ideal nation we envisage and (which) the international community wants us to be. This is so because we are yet to be a true democracy with transparent leadership.



“Our political parties are still breeding grounds for corrupt leaders; our electoral processes are still fraught with thuggery, rigging and lawlessness. Hence, our elections produce mainly criminals as leaders and lawmakers.



“As we warm up for another (set of) elections, the EFCC is very much worried about the menace of corrupt politicians and the need to stop them from recycling themselves back into our improving democracy,” Waziri said.



The EFCC boss was, however, optimistic that the country could witness credible election in 2011 given the antecedents and body language of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.



Waziri said that the commission would collaborate with the electronic media and a wide spectrum of the society in its proposed campaign for a sane election next year.



She said that the synergy with the electronic media became imperative because of its wide coverage and accessibility to every class of the society.



The chairman said the goal of Wednesday’s discussion was to produce an anti-corruption theme for radio and television programmes to encourage the populace to reject corrupt politicians in the next elections.



She said, “We are convinced that the partnership with radio and television producers is our surest way of actualising our plans. This roundtable discussion is to map out effective participatory public enlightenment.”



The EFCC Head of Operations in Lagos, Mr. Zuberu Muazu, told journalists in an interview that the country would not win the war against corruption as long as lawmakers still made self-serving laws.



He also said the antidote to the endemic corruption in the country was the election of good and conscionable leaders.



Muazu said, “We are aware that these politicians will soon take over the airwaves for their campaigns. We want to use the same medium to reach the people on the need to stop the corrupt ones among them.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009230554564

Waziri should stop mourning. i think the work of effcc is to identify and prosecute these criminals she is talking about, anyway she is one of them thats why she cannot do anything. she should stop talking but take necessary action against them. God save Nigeria.

At some point, I keep believing she is incompetent. Why all these public parade. If you know criminals, arrest and prosecute them with the evidence you have. Or can we say that Madam don't know her job description? - Ok, I see, its for the poor ones.

As long as satisfying the international community remains the anti corruption goal of the EFCC, the national consciousness will never be realized. Taking money from where you did not put one is not corruption, it is stealing. Pretending that it does not matter; or protecting those you know are doing it is what is corruption. This is because since the first person is not apprehended or even praise, others will also want to be praised or doubt being apprehended.
So madam Waziri, if you know any memeber of this National Occultists that called themselves assembly and you are protecting them, you should not be in the seat at EFCC, you should be in the EFCC's cell.

its just a common sence whicb implies that what a man can not a woman can or could do it better. We all should give her our maximum support rather than criticising her. We should learn to be constructive and not distructive in our critics

, and criminals put you in position or disposition. What a laugh. The fuel filter is blaming the attendant for dispensing bad fuel. The guard dog is blaming the master for bringing strange friends home. The transformer is blaming the turbine for epileptic current. Madam is blaming elections for criminal leaders. What is your salary for. How come criminals get into a plane or bus to Wadata House to collect nomination forms. Madam didn't you see them. I did on AIT. Oh I remember Senator Omisore was elected while in his cell I think,  hmmm, no comment. Case closed. What a waste of bandwidth. Next!!!!

thats the reason we are not moving forward

kool

biatch, just shut it. you were elevated to your position by these same criminals - stop playing to the gallery

oyb:

biatch, just shut it. you were elevated to your position by these same criminals - stop playing to the gallery

Indeed.

And EFCC makes it possible for the criminals to be put in power. They clear the way for them

old news - abeg tell me something new

Identify and arrest them then!

Why talk? Talking is this matter is cheap.

At some point, I keep believing she is incompetent. Why all these public parade. If you know criminals, arrest and prosecute them with the evidence you have. Or can we say that Madam don't know her job description? - Ok, I see, its for the poor ones.



i BEG MAKE UNA ASKMADAM O!

Na today, what has she done to save us from them?

Ribadu while heading EFCC made the similar statement during a public lecture at UI, he actually went further to wonder how Oyo state people could allow people like Akala to get to power, yet he did not take Akala to court, the guy he still in power since them.

Madam EFCC so what are you doing about it, you are the head of a powerful commission why come to the media and cry everytime do something Madam, your predecessor did something!

Chase the Hooligans-in-Power (HiPs) out and vote in better candidates.

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