- He stated that anti-graft and security agencies have failed in their duties to tackle corruption
President of the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, has bemoaned the widespread malfeasance and corruption in public offices, saying it is an hindrance to the nation’s growth.
He stated that anti-graft and security agencies have failed in their duties to tackle corruption.
Speaking during an interview with DAILY POST, Bitrus said only a revolution in the fight against corruption would rid the country of the scourge.
He also explained that president Bola Tinubu did not say he was coming to tackle corruption and that is why financial impropriety in government is rife.
He said: “The president didn’t say he was coming to fight corruption; that is not his priority. All he said was that he was coming to continue in Buhari’s footsteps. I think so far, he is doing better than Buhari since he came. When a government comes in and knows what its priorities are and pursues those priorities legitimately and properly, I think we should wait and see. There is corruption out there but the issue is that we have institutions on ground to handle corruption, no matter the government in power.
“We have adequate provisions in our laws to fight corruption, but unfortunately, the institutions are not working the way they are supposed to work. Our society has this inherent distortion such that if today somebody steals money and gives it to a monarch, he would be rewarded and even be crowned as a leader.
“So, this inherent attitude in us makes it difficult for somebody to change everything overnight. We need a revolution in that regard and we must encourage the president to do whatever he can to transform the economy and the security situation into one where commerce, trade and businesses will thrive.”