Is Charity Not Suppose To Begin Home...?

One of the beauties of democracy is the freedom of expression (albeit some limitations) that is prevalent in the Nigerian polity today.
For this singular reason, people are able to voice their opinion openly-even if it harshly criticizes government policies.
I am one of those who strongly believe that President Olusegun Obasanjo's anti- corruption crusade is a laudable programme, but it is still one-sided. It has choosen to prosecute some and not all...
It is becoming increasely obvious to most people, that this crusade is selective. Recently, Col. Abubakar Umar(rtd) spoke about the one-sidedness of the Obasanjo's one-sided crusade to NewsDay Magazine. (Jan. 16-23, 2006 edition) Hear him:


In spite of President Olusegun Obasanjo's anti- corruption crusade, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar {rtd}said his government remains the most corrupt government the country has ever had, when compare with past successive governments. He also raised alarm over secret plans by some forces to scuttle democracy in the country.

The radical retired Army officer and political activist expressed this view in Abuja recently- during the inauguration of the Movement for Unity and Progress, a pressure and political movement that will ensure that the country is governed in accordance with democratic principles.

According to Col. Umar: “It is a documented fact of history that, 56% of the corruption that takes place in government has their root in the presidency. It is clear that the government has with limited success used the cases of some of these individuals to divert public attention from its culpability in aiding the growth of corruption”

The former military governor of Kaduna state said his view is quite plausible because the most corrupt parastatal, which accounts for 95% of government's revenue, the NNPC is under the direct supervision of the presidency adding that, “this is why at the policy level, the Federal Executive Council and the Due Process Office do not review most of contract awarded by the NNPC.

Giving examples of the corrupt practices under the nose of the president, Col. Umar said Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili of former Due Process Office had accused the Ministry of Water Resources of inflating contracts to the tune of N1billion within six months but the president could not take action. Again, he questioned a contract for the supply of 50 used Armoured Personnel Carrier by the Ministry of Defence at the cost of $37million “when another company was willing to supply the same vehicles at the cost of $13million” alleging that most of those vehicles had to be towed from the port because they had one problem or the other.

The Abuja Water Project which was awarded to a “reputable” company, SALINI in 2001 at the cost of N45billion with six years completion period also attracted the attention of the Colonel. He revealed that, the company actually started work in earnest but stalled due to lack of funding. “For some inexplicable reasons SALINI was replaced by another company SCC, which got the contract at N75billion”, he added.

Amazingly, SALINI was compensated with an N52billion Cultural Centre Construction contract signed just before Christmas of 2005. “Why would a company that failed to execute an N45billion contract be awarded a contract worth N52billion”? Col. Umar asked.

Going by his investigations and revelations, Col. Umar said it is evident that the anti-corruption campaign of Obasanjo has failed woefully adding that, Obasanjo-led federal government has become the prime mover of corruption.

X-raying the political situation in the country, the radical political activist said the immediate challenges confronting the Nigerian nation is the maneuvers, intrigues, and blackmail mounted by senior government officials, some state governors, traditional rulers, some members of the state and National Assemblies aimed at a fundamental breach of the constitution of the country to guarantee a third term for Obasanjo and the state governors. He regretted that the campaign is being financed by the same people who sold the same product to late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Hear him: “The sad truth is that those forces operate within the democratic realm grudgingly. Their operation, disposition and methods of operation are more in tune with authoritarian and dictatorial regimes; they do not believe in the rule of law and they do not believe in due process and that is why they want to scuttle the democratic process because they can serve and survive under any type of regime”.

He advised the civil society groups to reunited and stop the anti- democratic activities of those forces adding that unless something is done quickly, the country would be thrown into intractable socio- political violence.

Chief Sunday B. Awoniyi, National Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum who was present at the inauguration of the group described Obasanjo as ingrate and advised Nigerians to resist his plans to elongate his tenure by telling him {Obasanjo} that they are not slaves.

Hear Awoniyi's logic: “Many years ago, when Alexander finished conquering the Roman Empire, some people asked him how it was possible for him to do it; he replied and said because they are slaves who could not say no to his activities”. Awoniyi then asked the crowd, including journalists who came to witness the inauguration of the Col. Umar-led group: “Are you a slave?” Then the thundering response: “No”.

The former private secretary to late Sarduna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello said the fact that those who wanted to elongate their tenures in the past did not succeed would be the reason why Obasanjo will strive to succeed- were others failed.

Col. Umar and his group were prevented by security agents from using the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre which they have paid for since December 23, 2005, as indicated in the receipt issued them by the centre. Consequently they were forced to carry out their ceremony under the tree.

Is the Presidency choosing to ignore or look the other way when gross financial misconduct is being perpetual right at his door step? Or is charity not suppose to begin at home any more?