Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial - Politics

Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial - Politics - Nairaland

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Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Bobloco(op): 12:01am On Dec 01, 2024

TWO cancers – corruption and state capture – are ravaging Nigeria, leaving it sapped and unable to look after its people or assert its authority on the continent or the global stage. Capital project costs are inflated, delayed, or eventually abandoned. The Federal Government listed 4,000 abandoned projects valued at N16 trillion.

At the state level, governors charged with grand corruption after their tenure somehow escape punishment.

Corruption stinks in Nigeria. This year, the country ranked 145 out of 180 surveyed, scoring 25 points out of 100 on the Transparency International corruption perception index. In a global survey in which countries and territories are rated from 0 to 100 points (100 indicating very clean), 25 points is a severe indictment.

From the rating, Nigeria is far more corrupt than Benin Republic, Ghana, Niger, and Gabon, the first two countries posting 43 points, the last pair down to 32 and 28, respectively, on the CPI. Chad and Sudan are the only African countries with dodgier corruption issues than Nigeria, with 20 points apiece.

According to TI’s study, 43 per cent of people surveyed thought corruption had increased in Nigeria in the last 12 months. This must change.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari said $150 billion of Nigeria’s oil money was looted in the 10 years to 2015.

Nigeria’s corruption level is near a fatal stage, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the 2024 Chinua Achebe memorial lecture at America’s Yale University. Obasanjo described the country’s leadership as lacking merit, pragmatism, and honesty.

He pointed to state capture as “a type of systemic political corruption in which private interests significantly influence a state’s decision-making processes to their own advantage.” A captured state runs on the whims and caprices of the captors, not for the people.

“The (Nigerian) judiciary is a very pale version of its once internationally esteemed self,” Obasanjo said. “Politicians after rigging elections openly ask their rivals to go to court…because they are aware that they have completely compromised the judiciary system.

“A number of judges are in the pockets of wealthy politicians and individuals and make judgements not based on the law of the land but (on the interests of) the highest bidder.”

A Justice of the Supreme Court, Kayode Eso, lamented before his death that “billionaire judges” had captured the judiciary. Court judgements are bewildering.

Corruption and state capture are old diseases. The affliction is noticeable in every government, including Obasanjo’s. The electricity sector was broken up and handed to friends and allies. Leaders sell government property to friends and cronies.

The cancers are systemic. They are spreading dangerously and more difficult to manage. Every state governor ensures that local governments and the state legislature are in his pocket.

Security agents have been seen on Election Day looking the other way while political thugs snatch ballot boxes or destroy electoral materials. After eight years in the Government House, the National Assembly is now a retirement home for the governors who open a new chapter in luxury living at the expense of the masses. Governors accused of looting their states end up as federal lawmakers deciding government policy.

Federal lawmakers reportedly receive N21 million monthly in a country where the minimum wage is N70,000 monthly and poverty is ubiquitous. The executive arm of government gifts legislators N500 million annually for constituency projects.

In turn, the federal legislature passes almost every executive bill no matter how frivolous or potentially ruinous. This completes the state capture, sending a message of hopelessness to the people.

Nigeria should work for everybody, not a few powerful forces.

https://punchng.com/corruption-state-capture-festering-cancers/

13 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by WakeUpNigerians: 12:16am On Dec 01, 2024

When you have a certificate forger and drug man as your president. He is still testing the mic.

By 2027, you will see full manifestation of state capture.

35 Likes 1 Share

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by MadamExcellency: 12:26am On Dec 01, 2024

The fact that we have government sycophants who don't know the difference between patriotism and sycophancy is shameful still supporting this wickedness makes you cringe.

32 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by MadamExcellency: 12:31am On Dec 01, 2024

Javier Milei became President in December, 2023 when Argentina was dying but he changed it all.

• Central Bank $12B in debt
• 50% poverty rate
• 7,500% inflation

Then Javier Milei became President.

11 months in, he's pulling off the greatest economic turnaround ever.

In a 2-hour pod with Lex Fridman, he revealed exactly how he did it🧵

When Milei took office in Dec 2023, Argentina was imploding:

• Inflation in the first half of December was at 7,500%
• GDP down 15% over the previous decade
• Central bank reserves: minus $12 billion
• Nearly 50% in poverty

The situation was worse than anyone imagined...
The government's finances were in complete meltdown:

A massive 15% fiscal deficit (5% treasury, 10% central bank).

The central bank had interest-bearing liabilities worth 4x the monetary base.

Meaning: They could quintuple the money supply overnight if those debts came due.

Hyperinflation seemed inevitable. Until Milei stepped in:
His first move was radical but necessary:

He slashed government ministries from 18 to 9 (now cool

.

Then systematically removed 50,000 government employees.

The establishment called him "El Loco" - The Madman.

But there was method to his madness:
Milei understood something profound about government spending:

The true tax burden isn't what citizens pay in taxes.

It's the total size of the state apparatus itself.

Every peso spent by government is a peso taken from productive citizens.

So he went even further:
He eliminated entire categories of spending:

• Stopped all discretionary transfers to provinces
• Halted public works projects
• Removed economic subsidies
• Cut out social program intermediaries who were stealing half the funds

In January - his first month - he achieved the impossible:
For the first time in 113 years, Argentina achieved true fiscal balance.

The other 10 years without deficit? They weren't paying their debts.

Milei executed the largest fiscal adjustment in Argentina's history:

15 points of GDP in just 6 months.

The results were unprecedented...
A quick summary:

• Wholesale inflation: Plummeted from 54% to 2% monthly
• Core monetary inflation: Down to 0.2% monthly
• Poverty: Reduced from 57% to 46%
• GDP: Recovered to December levels
• Real wages: Growing above inflation

But here's what makes it truly remarkable:
He achieved this with minimal political support:

• Just 15% of representatives
• Only 10% of senators
• No hyperinflation trigger to reset expectations
• No price controls
• No fixed exchange rate

Previous stabilization plans relied on these tools.

Milei did it through pure fiscal discipline.
His deregulation ministry removes 1-5 regulations every day.

They have 3,200 more reforms planned.

When complete, Argentina will surpass the economic freedom levels of:
• Ireland at its peak
• Switzerland
• Australia

The impact is already visible:
JP Morgan has revised growth projections upward for next year.

But perhaps most importantly:

Milei proved you can fix a broken economy without:
• Devastating the poor
• Causing social collapse
• Losing public support

His approval rating today exceeds his initial popularity.
The experts said it couldn't be done.

That shock therapy would destroy the country.

That you needed slow, gradual change.

Milei proved them wrong.

And he did it in less than a year.
His guiding principle?

"What's the point of living without freedom?"

Sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply telling the truth - and having the courage to act on it.

But Milei understood something deeper:
In today's world, bold ideas need bold voices.

Milei didn't just implement policies.

He built trust at scale by clearly communicating his vision with Lex.

His authenticity became his competitive advantage.

This is the future of leadership:
Not just having good ideas, but being able to share them effectively.

Building trust before you need it & creating impact while you sleep.

Think about it:

How many world leaders in history have gone on 2-hour podcasts to face unfiltered questions?
For founders and leaders watching this:

Your ideas deserve to be heard.

Your insights can create massive impact.

But only if you know how to share them effectively.

The world knows who Milei is because he projected his ideas.

43 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Yankee101: 12:31am On Dec 01, 2024

Real state capture

2 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Bobloco(op): 1:18am On Dec 01, 2024

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by HenryThegreat1(m): 4:36am On Dec 01, 2024

Disaster in government

2 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Bigkoko: 4:45am On Dec 01, 2024

Was Lagos Ibadn Expressway Media; Punch, expecting a Lee kwa Yeu in Asiwaju? Common, they should stop pretending biko!1

They were warned, yet they foolishly offer their piece to him during the legal battle in Kayode judiaciary. Now, let me see how they will grow!

Some wise men actually said, elections have consequences... grin

8 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by epainos: 5:06am On Dec 01, 2024*

This is an interesting article. Punch has successfully hammered more on state capture. Lol. Every president is guilty of this issue. And Punch has failed to provide solutions because we have failed to identify solutions to the problems we see. We spend so much time analysing problems that we fail to provide solutions. This is exactly our way of life. This is what Udume wants for VAT and tax issue. He wants us to spend years deliberating on the problems rather than preferring and implementing solutions quickly. Nigeria is a complex nation.

The solution to state capture is simple: take away the president's authority to appoint INEC leaders. Period. This will help to eliminate state capture, and it will also reduce corruption. When voters have the power to reject corrupt leaders, politicians will be forced to work and do good. They will have no choice but to attend pre-election debates and clearly state their intentions and strategies for resolving the issues they have identified. And then, when they run for reelection, they must justify their first term in office to voters. But, knowing that they can easily rig elections with the president on their side, why would not they continue misbehaving and looting? Why will corruption not flourish? And why will state capture not be more popular? Nigeria's president leads the state capture board.

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Flame333: 5:09am On Dec 01, 2024*

The Nigeria Army have been accused of Collaborating with oil bunkers by the undercover Journalist that was arrested recently. Hear the Journalist saying that the Army sent his information to the bunkers so that exposing them should not be done.... A very shameful and embarrassing country we have... The report is on the Punch newspaper and am yet to see counter argument against it....

Tompolo has said several times that the army is a complicit in the oil stealing thing but they denying it.........................

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by SAMTOBIJU(m): 5:20am On Dec 01, 2024

Who offend punch for presidency bayi? Cos Dem dey para this days....and na them dey push for Tinubu presidency pre-election o

5 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by MaziObinnaokija: 5:24am On Dec 01, 2024

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Onewazobia(m): 5:33am On Dec 01, 2024

SAMTOBIJU:
Who offend punch for presidency bayi? Cos Dem dey para this days....and na them dey push for Tinubu presidency pre-election o

The analysis is beyond Tpain regime, it is a decades of institutionalised corruption that led is to what brings him in

2 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by gratiaeo(m): 5:35am On Dec 01, 2024

As if those who voted Tinubu don't know how corrupt he's before voting him

3 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by helinues: 5:40am On Dec 01, 2024

Punch don dey kolo lately ..

They might need some punches from FG for brain resetting

53 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by mu2sa2: 5:46am On Dec 01, 2024*

To be fair to him, Tinubu campaigned to be president on emilokan slogan. Since he came into office he has never deviated from emilokan. All the key government positions have been given to his friends and close associates. The first lady is in a class of her own. As for first son Sheyi, everybody in government kowtow to the next governor of the first emilokan colony. A very straight-forward guy, Tinubu practices what he preaches: Emilokan par excellence! Emilokan rules till 2027. Will it continue beyond 2027? Hahahaha, with poverty-ravaged, disillusioned electorate, compromised inec, pocketed judiciary and ethnicised security forces, if you think election can change anything, let's wait and see.

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by psucc(m): 5:51am On Dec 01, 2024

Needless flogging a dying horse. The Punch is just doing it but never expect a man who's on a mission to change. Tinubu has an agenda and is pushing same.

2 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by OneOnland: 5:58am On Dec 01, 2024

This isn't new. Corruption in Nigeria, state capture by totalitarian gangs cum government (previously miliary captured). There's nothing new here.

To get real and fundamental changes for the country, collective actions, speaking with one voice and lobbying through the senate and house may just be it. Not necessarily protests and critize-then-sleep, but through actions and collectively 'disturbing' the lawmakers (senate and house).

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Frigga13: 5:58am On Dec 01, 2024

Simple reason I’ve always called out the Yoruba tribe .

The always come online to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians …. Speaking the truth.. as if Nigerians are fools ndo stupid

See the moniker above call helinues.. saying punch is going mad and need punches from F.G

If this is not insulting Nigerians and media… what else is it ?

Yet you call out Yoruba tribe trying to coerce and bully everyone… they wail

How can a man have his cake and eat it ..

You promote tribalism …nepotism ama support evil. Yet you want Nigerians to be reasonable with you.. when we’re not all Yoruba ..

Thank God the rest of the country is seeing it out… the very foolishness In sophistication.

God bless this country Nigeria and help it’s citizens

It will never e well with those intently supporting this wicked Yorubatic administration of Tinubu

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by helinues: 5:59am On Dec 01, 2024

Frigga13:
Simple reason I’ve always called out the Yoruba tribe .

The always come online to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians …. Speaking the truth.. as if Nigerians are fools ndo stupid

See the moniker above call helinues.. saying punch is going mad and need punches from F.G

If this is not insulting Nigerians and media… what else is it ?

Yet you call out Yoruba tribe trying to coerce and bully everyone… they wail

How can a man have his cake and eat it ..

You promote tribalism …nepotism ama support evil. Yet you want Nigerians to be reasonable with you.. when we’re not all Yoruba ..

Thank God the rest of the country is seeing it out… the very foolishness In sophistication.

God bless this country Nigeria and help it’s citizens

It will never e well with those intently supporting this wicked Yorubatic administration of Tinubu

Mynd44
Seun
Oam4j
Nlfpmod
Fergie001
Mukina
Dominique

Rule 3

46 Likes 1 Share

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Frigga13: 6:04am On Dec 01, 2024*

helinues:
Mynd44
Seun
Oam4j
Nlfpmod
Fergie001
Mukina
Dominique

Rule 3

Go and read the. Rules again…

How do you abuse punch and sensibilities of Nigerians… with full statistics in view and all you think is that the media need some punches ?

Or those intently supporting the wickedness of this administration not real?

Helinues … is the administration of Tinubu not a Yoruba one ..
Or you on politics don’t know that Yoruba has over 85% of appointments and ministers in this administration?

Why calling the mods like say you’re paying them or you think any one is intimidated by your antics

Oga wake up..

You wey say Tinubu will ban press .

You’re on long thing… if you don’t know yet..

We’re coming and wil inconvenient you and your likes in all social media space ..

You’ve not seen anything

Use all your monikers to like your. Post

Frigga cares less

Seun..
Mods ..

Helinues ought to be ban for posting false information and calling out Mods to intimated monikers ..

Rule 8.

Let us all look into this matter . Some one is fighting hard to stifle the media and our constitutional right .. cos of naive sentiments

10 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by OneOnland: 6:08am On Dec 01, 2024

Frigga13:
Simple reason I’ve always called out the Yoruba tribe .

The always come online to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians …. Speaking the truth.. as if Nigerians are fools ndo stupid

See the moniker above call helinues.. saying punch is going mad and need punches from F.G

If this is not insulting Nigerians and media… what else is it ?

Yet you call out Yoruba tribe trying to coerce and bully everyone… they wail

How can a man have his cake and eat it ..

You promote tribalism …nepotism ama support evil. Yet you want Nigerians to be reasonable with you.. when we’re not all Yoruba ..

Thank God the rest of the country is seeing it out… the very foolishness In sophistication.

God bless this country Nigeria and help it’s citizens

It will never e well with those intently supporting this wicked Yorubatic administration of Tinubu

It is people like you that are debarring the progress of Nigeria. What does that even mean? Yoruba this, Yoruba that?

Speak to where issue is and quit making malice and spreading false information about an entire 50m peoples.

What you are doing here is a symptom of mental retardation. Get rid of it!

3 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Nkupu(f): 6:10am On Dec 01, 2024

helinues:
Rule 3

Shut up cry cry baby. What a weakling. Man up and tackle your fellow man and stop crying to the mods sissy.

1 Like

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Frigga13: 6:19am On Dec 01, 2024

OneOnland:
It is people like you that are debarring the progress of Nigeria. What does that even mean? Yoruba this, Yoruba that?

Speak to where issue is and quit making malice and spreading false information about an entire 50m peoples.

What you are doing here is a symptom of mental retardation. Get rid of it!

Mention one false information give by punch ?

Mention one false information or statement from my posts

Mention one .. just one

Are nairalanders with Yoruba monikers not supporting this administration? And abusing , cursing anyone with contrary opinion

Going by punch and policies of the government.. is the government not a wicked one .. to its citizens ?

Is the government not made up of 85% Yoruba people ?

Yoruba is it not name of a tribe ?

So what’s the false information here

Here in Kano.. make inquiries

Tinubu government is know as Yoruba government … is not an open secret .. is what everyone calls it

Or I should type it because am on nairalander .. a site owned by Yoruba man?

Oga you people can’t bully Nigerians like that

Haba mana.

E. No go work

2 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Thiefobi1: 6:22am On Dec 01, 2024

Frigga13:
Go and read the. Rules again…

How do you abuse punch and sensibilities of Nigerians… with full statistics in view and all you think is that the media need some punches ?

Or those intently supporting the wickedness of this administration not real?

Helinues … is the administration of Tinubu not a Yoruba one ..
Or you on politics don’t know that Yoruba has over 85% of appointments and ministers in this administration?

Why calling the mods like say you’re paying them or you think any one is intimidated by your antics

Oga wake up..

You wey say Tinubu will ban press .

You’re on long thing… if you don’t know yet..

We’re coming and wil inconvenient you and your likes in all social media space ..

You’ve not seen anything

Use all your monikers to like your. Post

Frigga cares less

Seun..

Pained election loser. grin

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Godjone(m): 6:24am On Dec 01, 2024

Emilokon
Buhari
Wole soyinka
Tunde Bakare
Elrufai
And some many other idiots i did not mention are the real people to be held accountable. The country was sailing in peace until these gang of rogues came together with the intent to snatch power so they can enjoy a free ground to unleash mayhem, hardship, hunger., insecurity and pains on the people. I will keep saying it, Nigeria's wahala begins the day these fools (APC) took over control of the country. The wahala will end only if the APC is destroyed

1 Like

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Frigga13: 6:25am On Dec 01, 2024

Thiefobi1:
Pained election loser.

Yes so!

You acted opposition for years … curse and abuse others .. and yet you can’t take a pinch of what you freely gave ..

That’s so unfair

Let’s learn to take responsibilities.

4 Likes

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by jaxxy(m): 7:09am On Dec 01, 2024

These are real systemic problems that will not only set us back but will backfire.

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by onuman: 7:14am On Dec 01, 2024

Bobloco:
https://punchng.com/corruption-state-capture-festering-cancers/

The high level of corruption in Nigeria comes from the notion that the crude oil in the Niger delta region is owned by the central government. Nothing is gonna stop this corruption in Nigeria unless fiscal federalism including resource control, is reestablished to Nigeria's governance system. But the Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba will not allow return to fiscal federalism including resource control. A war booty is what the two groups see crude oil proceeds as. So why wail in an editorial?

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Corruption, State Capture: Festering Cancers - Punch Editorial by Mindlog: 7:20am On Dec 01, 2024

helinues:
Punch don dey kolo lately ..

They might need some punches from FG for brain resetting

Your brain needs the punches more, for a reset.

1 Like

1 2 Reply

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