•  Nigeria Is Being Serially, Viciously And Mercilessly Raped By Our Leaders

Mr. David Okoror, criminologist and Director General of the African Diaspora Initiative (ADI), spoke on the security situation in the North, which led to the declaration of emergency rule. He spoke to The Guardian Northern Bureau Chief, SAXONE AKHAINE

Can you do an evaluation of the emergency rule imposed on three states in the Northeast?

WE must commend the President for once, for standing up to his high office, while at the same time avoiding major controversies. For me, among several pluses of this bold decision is the opportunity it has given to the very highly professional and globally respected Nigerian military to redeem their name and image. The legendary success and reputation gained by our soldiers in peacekeeping operations around the globe, has been damaged by their seeming inability to deal decisively with this insurgency. With the clear directive by the Commander in Chief to hunt down the insurgents, the Nigerian military will have themselves to blame should they fail this time. I believe they have the overwhelming support of Nigerians in this important assignment.  More importantly however, is the need for Mr. President to follow up this bold action by bringing forward the various Penal Reports on Crisis in the North and other parts of Nigeria and implementing them holistically and dispassionately. This is the only way to sustain whatever victory the army will achieve on the long run. Yes, some of the President’s political friends and associates would be hurt if he takes this course of action, but which does he prefer, to hurt his friends or see Nigeria destroyed under his watch?

Finally, the President must ensure that the condition of extreme poverty and hopelessness that provided fuel for this type of insurgency are rapidly and holistically addressed alongside the ongoing military action.

As a criminologist, how have you watched the state of affairs in the last 12 months?

Over the past couple of months, I have come to the painful conclusion that the leadership of this country is completely miss-reading the mood of the nation. And unbelievably so. Nigerians have their backs against the wall. They are angry. They feel betrayed and taken advantage of, they are shouting in pain and hopelessness and no one seems to be listening to them. The political leaders and public officers are helping themselves with the common wealth of the people. They are much like drunken sailors partying in a sinking ship. People are looking up to the President, because they handed this country to him in trust. He therefore, has a sacred personal responsibility to steer this Ship called Nigeria to safety at all cost. Nothing less is expected of him.  Before our own very eyes, our leaders are serially, viciously and mercilessly raping Nigeria. Ruthless men and women, who were entrusted with her care. Meanwhile, while she groans and cries for help, the rest of us look the other way and pin her down firmly, while the abuse goes on, refusing even to lift a hand to help her, but rather calling her very unkind names and using very unkind words at her, such as God forsake country, useless, good for nothing, accursed, etc.  In her period of pain, sorrow and great distress Nigeria needs the help of all her children and friends. Nigerians must stand up to rescue her. They must not abandon her to wicked and vicious men and women. They must say never again. They must mobilise and contend with the enemies of Nigeria at the gate. And time to act is now.

Do you agree that corruption in Nigeria has been institutionalised and there is nothing the present government can do about it, because as some people say, the syndrome has overwhelmed everybody?

Some people say corruption in Nigeria has been democratised. Indeed corruption in Nigeria is deep-rooted, very well structured and oiled. The only industry working effectively here today is corruption.

It is paying huge dividends. My brother, in Nigeria, corruption pays handsomely. There used to be this phrase - live and lets live, but today it has been rephrased ‘steal and let me steal, Oga at the top no go vex”. Are we winning the war against corruption?  Ok, read my lips. Over 80 percent of choice properties in Abuja today are owned by civil servants and their cronies; indicted persons or ex-convicts are preferred candidates for public offices and national honors; it is now the rule that, getting a job or being promoted in government agencies is cash and carry go or who you know; civil servants are the biggest government contractors; public officers are licensed to steal, and nobody is monitoring anybody; the unwritten rule now is, come, take your share and go. No shaking.

So, Nigeria is not winning the war against corruption?

Good question. Hear this. Today, corruption is now a multi-trillion naira industry in Nigeria. Meanwhile, this government is working very hard to frustrate every anti corruption effort. It has continued to shield and protect top officials accused of graft; it has refused to probe the sources of the stupendous wealth traced to top government officials; even Mr. President is yet to publicly declare his assets. In the 2013 appropriation, all the anti corruption agencies combined got a total capital vote of less than N9 Billion to chase ‘Trillion naira thieves’ and bring them to book.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC), with over 1000 staff and offices to maintain around the country has a capital allocation in 2013 budget of about N150m; the Federal Audit Office called Auditor General of the Federation, has been deliberately crippled, it has no vote to undertake its critical function of a Gate Keeper of federal government finances. Laughably, it depends on the auditees, (that is, those government agencies whose books are to be scrutinized) to pay its auditors normal duty tour allowances and to provide their accommodation. Even Mr. President’s comments and body language does not inspire anti corruption zeal in anyone.  Now, you ask me, is the Transformation Agenda winning the war against corruption? I dey laugh.

For goodness sake! Dr Goodluck Jonathan is the de facto President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander in Chief of its Armed Forces. He is not only in Government, he is also in Power. The constitution has given him so much power, because it envisaged that he would someday require the use of such powers to move the nation forward. Presiding over a country like Nigeria is not a pepper soup and gulder affair. This President sought for power from Nigerians and it was freely given to him, with the understanding that he would at all times be courageous enough to take critical and difficult decisions for the survival of this country. But what are we seeing now, the President wants to take a decision and a vocal few with vested interests, and who want the President to fail so they can say, ‘we told you he did not have the capacity to run this country,’ now says, ‘no, you must not take this cause of action because if you do, the heavens will fall.’ Even though we all know that is the best way to go. And our President sits there, waiting for consensus and a politically correct moment, which will never, never come.  This President might not be a Lion or an army general, but Nigerians expect their President to be courageous, resolute, firm and decisive in his actions.

There are new threats about 2015. Asari has threatened, others are threatening. What do we do?

I really do not see the reason for the hysteria about Asari Dokubo’s comments, as condemnable as it should be. Prior to the 2011 presidential elections, prominent northerners, including Buhari, Kaita and Ciroma threatened mass violence should Jonathan contest and win. At that time, this National Assembly did not pass a resolution or issue threats of warrant of arrests. Indeed when Jonathan won that election, some part of the North actually went up in flames and blood was shed, but none of those who made the threats were ever called to account for their statements. So, why the noise now?

Indeed, the seed sown by those threats and the subsequent bloodshed and the Boko Haram insurgency gave birth to the sorry state of our nation now. Already, other ethnic militias are now seeing that the use of violence or threat of it against the Nigerian State is gradually becoming an effective way of negotiating for sizeable economic and financial space; knowing that they can conveniently levy violence against the Nigerian State and end up with the amnesty trophy, complete the prize money, recognition, political patronage and pardon from the consequences of violent and criminal acts. So, these acts of violence and terrorism have effectively taken on the federal character toga.

In the midst of this turbulence, what is the way forward?

Nigeria’s long desired expectation of doing things the civilized way must start with our own dear Uncle Jonathan. He might mean well for Nigeria, but his comments, body language and action has yet to demonstrate a commitment to truly transform Nigeria. Too many decisions and actions are being left to time and chance. The President needs to show clear example in all areas so that Nigerians can emulate.

Today, top government officials do as they like, the system seems to be sitting on its head. Nobody is policing or checking anybody. The entire system seems to be driven by a drunken driver, drifting dangerously towards a precipe. We would need to apply the brakes and consciously stir this Ship away from this journey to nowhere. The President needs to set very honest and clearly defined deliverable targets in the areas of national re-orientation, infrastructure, anti corruption and good governance, security, crime prevention and control, values, social justice and pro poor programs. Government officials must be honestly and transparently charged with clear targets by which they can be judged and held accountable. Every minister and other officials must be given a verifiable performance target, with a body of honest Nigerians to properly monitor and evaluate outcomes. The jamboree we saw about ministers and officials signing some performance contracts have become part of this administration’s penchant to seek to deceive Nigerians with loud and empty promises and policies.  That policy was meant only to deceive the Nigerian people that President Jonathan is serious about service delivery and good governance. I am persuaded that if this President will honestly decide to lead the way towards achieving the new Nigeria of our dream, Nigerians will gladly follow no matter the cost.