Guardian

SIR: President Goodluck Jonathan was reported to have told the Labour leaders to caution the workers about stealing, when the latter told him to fight corruption seriously. Jonathan was partially right, because at times, those in government cannot steal without the cooperation of some civil servants, such as permanent secretaries and accountants. Some or many workers also steal and frustrate the positive efforts of some leaders.

Nevertheless, if a leader, director, or head of department is honest and diligent, those under him can hardly get away with stealing. Thus, it is crucial to have good leaders in government to minimize stealing and misappropriation of public funds. Good leadership was what the labour leaders were asking Jonathan to provide in himself and his ministers. That could put the legislature and the judiciary as well on their toes.

Corruption shrunk drastically during the regime of General Murtala Mohammed, because he truly had zero tolerance for it. Ditto Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Babatunde Idiagbon, who, in line with the policy of General Mohammed, declared War Against Indiscipline (WAI). Hardly any public official felt safe to indulge in corrupt practices during those two regimes. Hence I appeal to Nigerians to insist on having Buhari back  in 2015.

Any Igbo who would like to contest the presidency in 2019 may not push to be vice-president in 2015, because Nigerians may not tolerate anybody who will spend more than eight years in the presidency, either as president or vice. Although Bill Clinton did well, his two-term vice-president lost the bid to succeed him as America’s president. It is pure selfishness and abuse of luck to intend to stay more than eight years in Aso Rock, not even as Secretary to the President.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan is incapable of fighting corruption or engendering peace and order, because his regime is a product of destabilization and corruption. Reasonable Nigerians should not expect peace and progress in the absence of order and justice. Where corruption thrives any boast about positive transformation is empty and a sheer propaganda. We are told that everything will be okay in 2015. That means some deceptive measures have been designed to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians for another round of four wasteful years.

• Pius Abioje,

University of Ilorin.