Corruption, Cronyism And Selective Justice In Tinubu’s Administration -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

The All Progressives Congress (APC) regime deceived Nigerians in 2015 with promises of fighting corruption, strengthening national security architecture, restructuring the country, growing the economy and improving the well-being of the citizens. But no sooner did they grab power than they reneged on all the promises. The situation deteriorated to a terrifying degree under the current administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that has brought pain and untold hardship to Nigerian citizens. In parroting the M.K.O Abiola’s 1993 hope agenda, Tinubu promised Nigerians renewed hope and brought renewed hopelessness.

President Mohammadu Buhari was accused of cronyism but Tinubu has proved to be worse in all ramifications. Tinubu’s government has proven to be most sectional and exclusionist regime in the Nigerian political history. The appointments to key political offices made by Tinubu has over 80% of them going to his Yoruba ethnic group. And in siting government projects, Tinubu applies the same 80-20 discriminatory rule, showing no regard for equity and fairness. Tinubu’s skewed appointment and Apartheid policies have destroyed national unity exacerbated by his insane propaganda machinery that has been churning out lies and false narratives about non-existent reforms and illusion of future economic prosperity.

I can state here without fear of contradictions, that Tinubu’s government is the most inept and directionless in Nigeria’s 66 years post independent history. Tinubu has failed woefully to meet the yearnings and the aspiration of Nigerians. But, I am not surprised and so are many who knew that all the narratives about his performance while he served as Lagos State governor from 1999 to 2007 were all media hype. Many had expected him to be better than Buhari but the reverse is the case. Tinubu has given Nigeria a dysfunctional leadership that has made life miserable for the ordinary folks in that he has not been able to address the challenges facing the nation. Rather his primary concern is about how to consolidate power. And to do this, he targeted to destroy the opposition and turn the country into a single-party state.

Undoubtedly, Tinubu’s attention is permanently fixed on the next election. All his policies and state machinery are mobilized towards his personal ambition of self-succession in 2027. The economy is neglected. Nigeria has retained its inglorious position as the poverty capital of the world with 63% of the population multi-dimensionally poor. The government excessive borrowing has cut the country in the debt trap with over 50% of the revenue going into debt servicing. Unemployment is soaring as the households are groaning under the weight of galloping inflation and high cost of living. Business firms are grieving at the high cost of doing business and the worsening exchange rate regime and deplorable state of public infrastructure. The level of insecurity in the land is intolerable.

But does the government care? The answer is emphatic no. The government is more interested in taxing the already impoverished population than improving the welfare of the citizenry. While the people live in misery, state officials live in affluence. There is profligacy in government spending. And there is no transparency and accountability in government. The recent World Bank report on Nigeria reveals that a whooping sum of N34.53 trillion was diverted without reaching the federation account. It is also revealed that the government has not faithfully implemented the budget since 2023 as the capital votes were never released. Recently, the Minister of Finance Wale Edun was sacked and his sack is said to be connected with this disclosure about non-release of budget capital votes and diversion of funds from the federation account.

In the past Tinubu has pretended to be a democrat but now he has exhibited himself as an autocrat who does not believe in check and balances or the rule of law. Under Tinubu, the other organs of the government have been compromised. Civil advocacy is suppressed and human rights are being abused on daily basis. Public institutions are weaken and made to serve the president and his stooges alone. At present, Nigerian democracy is under siege because all the policies of the government are geared towards destroying the opposition and undermine democratic tenets. The key oppositions’ figures are being harassed by the agents of the government.

The only visible legacy of Tinubu is legacy of corruption and selective justice. Corruption is growing in leaps and bounds under Tinubu. In his administration, funds are spent without appropriation, contracts are inflated and due process violated with impunity. Tinubu government has collected more revenue in 3 years than any other government in Nigerian history and has borrowed more than any other government and is still borrowing. Other government budgeted to subsidize petroleum product. Tinubu did not and yet nothing to show for the N84 trillion received as revenue and the trillions borrowed from other sources. The monies have looted and stashed away for political campaign.

Unfortunately, the government is deceiving the public, pretending to be fighting corruption while stoking the fire of corruption. Clearly, the Tinubu’s war against corruption is not about stopping corruption or prosecuting the real corrupt individuals but using state agents and institutions to hound members of the opposition. Tinubu’s anti-corruption fight is selective. If you look at the list of those being harassed by the anti-graft agencies you will understand what I am driving at. Recently, one Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, the former accountant general of the federation was convicted and sentenced to 72 years imprisonment for fraud. Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-general and Minister for justice, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna State governor and few other political figures are being molested by the anti-graft agencies and everybody knows why. The question I have for Tinubu is this: why is it that nobody from his South-west political zone is facing corruption charge? And why is nobody from the APC or his camp has corruption case?

There is no gainsaying that nobody believes in the Tinubu’s anti-corruption war. If there is any fight against corruption, it should start from the presidency and those in government. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in his time started from members of his cabinet. Tinubu’s anti-corruption war is a scam. Nigerians should say no to selective justice. Selective justice is no justice.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed 

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK