ABUJA—The anti-corruption war of President
Muhammadu Buhari got a major boost, yesterday, as
organized labour staged a nationwide protest in support of
the crusade, calling for death penalty for corrupt persons.
The labour activists also threatened to invade any court
where the judge grants perpetual injunction to frustrate anti-
graft agencies from prosecuting corrupt persons.
The joint rallies by the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade
Union Congress and other affiliates of the labour union
tagged: “National Rally on Good Governance and
Corruption”, were held in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt,
Kaduna and other major cities across the country. Those
who spoke at the Abuja rally included factional president of
the NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba, President of the Trade Union
Congress, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, and President of the
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Nasir
Fagge.
They called for the review of laws guiding the conduct of
public officers in the country, stating that the laws of the
country as they are currently coded support corruption .
The Abuja rally took officials and members of the NLC, the
Trade Union Congress, TUC and other affiliates of the
labour union to the office of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, the National Assembly and the
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation.
Factional president
of the NLC, Mr.
Ayuba Wabba, in his
address at the rally
said that Congress
was set for a
showdown with judges
who were frustrating
anti-corruption
agencies from
prosecuting corrupt
individuals by
granting perpetual
injunctions.
Wabba stated that the NLC would no longer fold its hands
and allow some members of the judiciary to frustrate the
fight against corruption, but would instead insist that those
who misappropriated public funds be made to return the funds
while they are also made to face the full wrath of the law.
His words: “We will invade the courts of any judge that
gives perpetual injunction to corrupt people. We can no
longer allow them to frustrate the fight against corruption.
Our laws are weak and lack the impetus to discourage
corrupt practices. The laws make it possible for corrupt
people to return only a fraction of what they stole, while they
are given slight punishment as fines”.
He blamed the sorry state of affairs in the country at the
moment on the loss of good governance, stating that the
leadership of the country should be compelled to be responsible
to the citizenry.
He further called on all political appointees to toe the line of
the presidency by declaring their assets as well as their
liabilities, if any, on assumption of office, at the middle of
their tenure and at the end of their tenure.
Also speaking, President of the Trade Union Congress, Mr.
Bobboi Kaigama, lamented that corruption has helped in no
small measure to hinder the growth and development of the
country, stating that for the country to move forward, people
must be willing to fight and eliminate corruption.
He said, “We want everyone to turn a new leaf. We will
henceforth expose corrupt persons. This is not the time to
trade blames, but the time to support the institutions fighting
corruption, irrespective of party affiliations. We want
people to account for their stewardship.”
Speaking in the same vein, President of the Academic Staff
Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, said
that the fight against corruption can be achieved with a
number of approaches, ranging from ensuring that workers
are paid their dues, while the Federal Government must
ensure a review of the remuneration system. He called for a
deepening of laws that help in the fight against corruption,
and the enactment of a legislation to protect whistle-blowers.
“We cannot fight corruption without adequate punishment.
To this end, I will advocate strict punishment, especially
capital punishment for corrupt individuals.”
FG lauds labour for joining fight against corruption
Receiving the letter on behalf of the Federal Government,
Mr. Babachir Lawal, Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, commended Nigerian workers for aligning with
the present administration’s fight against corruption.
According to him, corruption is at the heart of every failure
in Nigeria, and assured workers that their request to the
President in terms of the fight against corruption would be
given utmost attention.
Also speaking, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who
was represented by the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate,
Mr. Francis Alimikhena, stated that the present Senate
would take the issue of corruption seriously and will not
relent until corruption is eliminated.
According to him, one of the numerous signs that the Senate
is serious about this issue is the fact that the Senate has
resolved that the Private Member’s Bill on corruption would
be given accelerated hearing, while other bills bordering on
corruption would be given fast-tracked hearing.
On his own part, Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Mr. Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by Mr. Sani
Zorro, representing Jigawa State in the House of
Representatives, said the House is ready to strengthen the
Freedom of Information (FoI) Act and is hopeful that
through its activities, corruption would be eliminated or
greatly reduced in the country.
At the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office,
labour gave the chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde a pat on the
back for a job well done and warned corrupt elements in the
country to stop distracting Lamorde and EFCC from doing
their work, describing them as enemies of the people of
Nigeria.
According to them, Lamorde was not only competent and
committed to the work of eradicating corruption in Nigeria
but was also on track to rein in those whose hands had been
tainted.
Issa Aremu, Vice President of the NLC in a short speech
during the visit, urged Lamorde not to be discouraged by the
recent attacks by corrupt elements who are jittery about the
Commission’s activities.
“I remember President Muhammadu Buhari saying that, if
we don’t fight corruption, it will kill us. We are here today
to strengthen the work of EFCC. As a matter of fact, over
the years, EFCC has done its best. As we all know, if you
fight corruption, it fights back. I know in recent times,
corruption seems to be fighting back. I can recollect that in
2003 when the ICPC, under Justice Mustapha Akanbi was
doing a very good job to fight corruption, the National
Assembly, suddenly, watered down the system.
“The NLC and TUC stood up that time to defend the
ICPC. So, I think we should commend both the NLC and
TUC for standing up to join in the fight against corruption.
We are witnessing almost the same thing now. I don’t know
the details, but my brother, Lamorde, has done very well,” he
said
Speaking earlier, NLC factional president, Comrade Ayuba
Wabba, said the rally was in support of the anti-corruption
posture of the Muhammadu Buhari administration and the
EFCC.
“We are demanding good governance, accountability and
transparency, so that we can have enough to cater for the
nation’s development,” he said.
Wabba, who advocated that all hands must be on deck to
stamp out corruption from Nigeria, pledged labour’s continued
support to the current leadership of EFCC in its fight
against corruption.
“We urge you to recover all stolen Nigerian money and
property. Our prayer is that the laws must be reviewed to
make penalty for offenders to include capital punishment. We
need to stand in unison and fight this evil called corruption.
We must kill it before it kills us all.”
Comrade Wabba then presented a petition, containing the
demands of organized labour, to Lamorde for onward
delivery to President Buhari.
In a short remark afterwards, Lamorde, stated that the war
against corruption would be fought with relentless vigour. He
said: “I want to assure you that we are doing our best and
will continue to do what we are doing, particularly as all the
trade unions are behind us. I truly agree that the time is
ripe for all Nigerians to speak with one voice because
corruption has continued to slow down the pace of
development in our country. We cannot afford to suffer this
anymore. Other countries that gained independence about the
time Nigeria did are far ahead of us today.”
He further stated that the only way by which the government
could function properly was to block all the loopholes through
which corruption is perpetrated.
‘’I can assure you that my colleagues and I will always
partner with you in the fight against corruption,’’ he said.
In Lagos, labour leaders stormed the office of the Lagos
State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, protesting high
level of corruption in the country and expressing support for
the anti-corruption war of President Buhari.
They displayed several placards with inscriptions such as,”
Nigerians are not dullards,” Labour backs Buhari’s anti-
corruption campaign,” President Buhari stop smuggling,”
among others.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, State TUC Chairman,
Mr. Akeem Hakeem, who read the position of the labour
while presenting a letter to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode,
noted that corruption in Nigeria had almost destroyed the
country.
Lamenting the effect of corruption in the country, he said “In
fact, corruption is mostly pronounced in the Nigerian
political system and public sector. The belief is that once a
person occupies any position, be it the smallest, they will use
corrupt practices to enrich themselves”.
Receiving the letter on behalf of the governor, Secretary to
Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, lauded labour
leaders for their efforts to eradicate corruption and other
vices in the country.
Similarly, in Edo State, labour leaders at a rally held at
the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin called on Nigerians
to join the anti-corruption train to move Nigeria forward.
Led by Emmanuel Adedokun, the labour leaders said, “It is
our conviction that the elimination of corruption will
functionally be the beginning of our national prosperity.
“As an organization whose objective is to promote positive
change in Nigeria, we are happy to be associated with the
current national posture of the federal government led by
President Muhammadu Buhari on the frontal attack against
corruption.”
Responding, Governor Oshiomhole challenged Nigerian
workers to insist on a review of corrupt government policies
by past administrations, saying past misdeeds should not be
swept under the carpet.
The governor who said the country was gradually returning
to the right track under President Muhammadu Buhari said
“until recently, I am sure it would have been so hazardous in
the face of what appears to be a direct state policy that not
to be corrupt is to be endangered and the way to be safe was
to ensure that you participate in corrupt practices and
everybody kept quiet. We got to the point that those who
raised their voice against corrupt practices were all
unceremoniously removed from office and in some quarters
people clapped.
In Asaba, Delta State, the protesters called on politicians
in the state to be above board and avoid corrupt tendencies.
Led by factional chairman of state NLC, and state Chairman
of TUC, they said the anti corruption protest was not
against Governor Ifeanyi Okowa but a protest against
corruption in the country, stressing the need for all hands to
be on deck in the fight against corruption and corrupt
practices.
Addressing the protesters, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said
the war against corruption by President Muhammadu
Buhari, was a welcome development and expressed optimism
that the President would lead by example.
Noting that the political class alone could not perpetrate
corruption without the cooperation of the civil servants,
Okowa said the civil service should also purge itself of
corrupt officers.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, organised labour used the protest to
allay the fears of thousands of workers in the state over a
rumour that Governor Abiola Ajimobi had finalized plans to
sack some of them.
While assuring the workers, factional chairman of NLC,
Mr. Waheed Olojede, insisted that pruning the workforce
was not in the agenda of the governor.
“Unfair treatment of Nigerian workers and unrealistic
minimum wage have led many workers to live in penury and
suffer untold hardships, as a result of corruption. There is a
need for self examination to know the place we are not doing
well. We must join the train to fight corruption. I want to
appeal to you all that the campaign against corruption must
be sustained by all and sundry. “
Governor Ajimobi who was represented by his deputy,
Otunba Moses Adeyemo, called for combined efforts to rid
the country of corruption.
In Ilorin, Kwara State, scores of labour leaders in Kwara
State, went round the major streets of Ilorin, armed with
placards denouncing the level of corruption in the country.
Led by factional chairman of NLC and state TUC
chairman, Yekeen Agunbiade and Kola Olumoh, respectively,
they said corruption had created bad image for the country
and its citizens, pointing out that it had also led to factory
closures, retrenchments and worsened unemployment situation
in Nigeria.
Speaking in the same vein, state chairman of the Trade
Union Congress, Comrade Kola Olumoh stressed the need
for Nigerians to support President Buhari’s efforts in
eliminating corruption in the country.
The rally which started at the Labour House, beside the
State High Court, Ilorin took members of the organised
labour union through Ahmadu Bello Way to Government
House to submit a letter in support of President
Muhammadu Buhari’s Anti-Corruption crusade.
Receiving the letter, Kwara State Governor, Dr
Abdulfatah Ahmed, commended labour leaders for ensuring
industrial harmony in the state despite recent challenges.
Governor Ahmed, represented by the Head of Service,
Hajiya Zahra Omar, promised that the state government
would continue to address issues affecting workers in the
state and commended the labour for rallying support for the
President’s anti-corruption crusade.
She assured Labour that the letter would be forwarded
appropriately to the presidency.
In Akure, Ondo State, labour leaders called on Nigerians
to support the anti-corruption war, saying any Nigerian or
group against the anti-corruption war of President
Muhammadu Buhari should be regarded as the country’s
enemy of progress and development.
They said that corruption had led to the inability of many
state governors to pay their workers salaries and marched
through strategic locations in the state such as First Bank
junction, NEPA area, State House of Assembly Complex
and the Governor’s Office.
Addressing the workers, factional vice-chairman of NLC,
Amusa Bakare, said corrupt practices among political office
holders had led to unpaid salaries and collapse of the nation’s
economy.
A letter on anti-corruption was delivered to Governor
Olusegun Mimiko and the Speaker of the state House of
Assembly, Hon Jumoke Akindele.
Mimiko was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Kola
Ademujimi, while the Majority leader lfedayo Akinsoyinu
received the letter on behalf of the speaker.
In Osun State, labour leaders called on politicians,
especially public office holders in the state to declare war
against corrupt practices.
Factional chairman of NLC, Jacob Adekomi, who led
workers on the rally in a letter addressed to the Governor
entitled: “National Day of Action Against Corruption and
For Good Governance, “We are convinced that this action
has become necessary to bring to the fore the urgent need for
a national discourse to drastically reduce the cost of
governance at all levels (Federal, State and Local
Government) against the background of the fall in the price of
crude oil, our main source of foreign revenue.
“There is also an urgent need to review and strengthen our
anti-corruption legislation. This will remove such loopholes
where punishment for crime of conspiracy, breach of trust
and embezzlement of N32.8bn police fund was a mere two-
year sentence.”
Also in Umuahia, Abia State, labour leaders, who marched
from NLC ‘s Secretariat on Aba Road, to the State House
of Assembly where NLC factional chairman, Uchenna
Obigwe read and handed labour’s letter to the Speaker of
the House, Mr. Martins Azubuike, said the protest was to
support President Buhari’s anti-corruption war.
The workers displayed placards with inscriptions as “Abia
NLC says no to corruption, corruption leads to brain drain,
embezzle the nation’s fund and go to jail, all looters of our
resources should be brought to book, be a proud Nigerian,
shun corruption, corruption is worse than Ebola”, among
others.
Addressing the workers, the speaker described them as the
engine room of the economy and urged them to join hands
with the State Government to rid the State of corruption..
At the Government House, the workers were received by
the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude OkoChukwu, who
commended them for the orderly manner they carried the
exercise.
He said Labour and the government were on the same page
in the fight against corruption as the administration was
committed to the eradication of corruption.
Okochukwu particularly praised labour for the exercise
saying “coming from you, it is now a case of bottom-top
approach”, which he hope would urgur well for the fight
against corruption.
Similarly, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, labour leaders,
called on the federal government to come up with a law to
deal with those who plunder state resources, saying federal
government should set up special court to recover diverted
public funds.
Chairman of TUC, Mr Chika Onuegbu, in a statement
called on the Professor Itse Sagay-led committee on
corruption to come with recommendations to strengthen
federal governments resolve to fight corruption to a standstill
in the country,
In Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, labour leaders who marched
through some major streets to the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly complex, Bayelsa State Government House, said
the protest became imperative because of the negative effects
corruption on Nigeria and her citizens.
Led by the factional chairman of NLC and state Chairman
of TUC, Ndiomu Bipre and Tari Dounana, respectively,
argued that corruption was most pronounced among the
politicians, lamenting that corruption had created a bad
image for the country and her citizens.
The NLC said, “Non-payment of worker’s salaries has been
attributed to corrupt practices of state governors, who have
gone into heavy borrowing from the banks to carry out huge
projects that they clearly have no capacity for, and use them
as conduit pipes to siphon public funds into their personal
pockets. Some use the money meant for the state to
campaign for re-elections.
In Anambra State, labour leaders said they decided to join
hands with Buhari on the anti-corruption crusade because
corruption had eaten deep into the fabrics of all sectors of the
economy, saying “It is because of corruption that most
governors have not paid the minimum wage. It is because of
corruption that our hospitals are ill equipped and the civil
servants cannot afford the cost of medication in this country.
It is because of corruption that there unemployment hence
the country cannot progress.”
The protesters demanded among others, the establishment of
special anti- corruption courts to try corrupt cases in the
country and to ensure that all stolen funds from the national
treasury were recovered.
Responding to labour’s demand, Governor Willie Obiano
who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Professor Solo
Chukwulobelum, urged the labour leaders to look inwards to
help government check against workers and other forms of
corruption.
At a similar rally held in Kano, the Head of Northwest
Zonal Operation of the EFCC, Ishaq Salihu, urged
organized labour to partner with the EFCC to carry out
its mandate by acting as whistle blowers in any area where
they find acts of corruption being perpetrated.
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