Posted by By TONY OSAUZO, Benin on
The planned removal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday drew more reactions in Benin, with a call on President Musa Yar'Adua to explain to Nigerians the political intrigues surrounding his removal in the name of sending him on course.
The planned removal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday drew more reactions in Benin, with a call on President Musa Yar'Adua to explain to Nigerians the political intrigues surrounding his removal in the name of sending him on course.
Former governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun and former national chairman of the youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Dr. Dele Oluwatade, who spoke to journalists separately, queried the rationale of sending Ribadu on course at National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at this time when the fight against corruption has entered a crucial stage.
Specifically, Chief Oyegun identified the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Mike Aodoakaa and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu as the two people causing Nigerians a lot of grief.
He said in the minds of the Nigerian public, it was clear that the AGF has aligned with those who have looted and ruined the country, adding that the Yar'Adua government is unable to remove Prof. Iwu either because of gratitude of what he has done or because of constitutional provision. He, however, advised the president to tell Prof. Iwu to shut up and stop insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians.
Dr. Oluwatade on his part noted that public outcry against Ribadu's removal was justified because Nigerians feel that there must be something wrong from the manner he was being asked to go on course.
According to him, since the EFCC was under the presidency, the information that Ribadu was proceeding on course ought to have emanated from the presidency and not the Inspector-General of Police, even as he observed that there was nothing special that was being taught at NIPSS that would enhance Ribadu's performance on his job as EFCC's chairman.
He said the Obasanjo's administration has made Nigerians to be hypersensitive about issues of corruption and stressed that President Yar'Adua owed it a duty to carry Nigerians along in fighting corruption, just as he noted that the integrity of a government was what the people perceive of it.
Dr. Oluwatade warned that if Ribadu was removed and EFCC goes in disarray, the world would not take Nigeria serious, and therefore called on President Yar'Adua to explain to Nigerians as the buck stops on his table.
He urged Nigerians to be relaxed, saying that the anti-corruption war in the country could no longer be derailed by any government, as Nigerians have been sufficiently sensitized to cause public opinion to remove any non-performing government.