Posted by By JAMES OJO, Abuja on
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil society groups on Thursday made good their threat when they staged a rally specifically protesting against corruption. They lamented the evil of corruption, asking the Federal Government to bring treasury looters to book.
• Nigerians march against corruption in Abuja. Inset, faces of Nigerian corruption victims
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil society groups on Thursday made good their threat when they staged a rally specifically protesting against corruption. They lamented the evil of corruption, asking the Federal Government to bring treasury looters to book.
This is coming at a time former NLC President and Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in Edo State, Comarade Adams Oshiomhole, chided embattled daughter of immediate past president, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello for going into hiding, saying that nemesis had caught up with her as she has run foul of law made by her father.
Workers from across the country had converged on the People's Arcade, at the National Assembly Complex to protest the looting of public treasury by politicians who find themselves in government positions. They bore banner with thought-provoking messages.
Some of the banners said: 'Catch and jail all national thieves; probe is not enough, we want justice; save Nigerians, prosecute corrupt leaders; no food, no light, no life," 'We demand judicial commission of enquiry."
The arrival of the workers' convoy, led by the NLC President, Comrade Abdul Wahab Omar, Comrade Peter Esele, TUC President, and Comrade Oshiomhole caused panic at the National Assembly, as the main door to the lobby was hurriedly shut against visitors and staff.
Addressing the rally with the Senate Chairman on Labour, Senator Wilson Ake and his House of Representatives counterpart, Hon Ado Dogo in attendance, Comrade Omar presented a copy of NLC protest letter to the Senate President, David Mark, and Speaker Dimeji Bankole. He said that Nigerian workers would not accept any cover for anyone linked with looting the nation's wealth.
He asked the National Assembly not to protect looters of the economy, adding that the revelations from the power probe showed that looting was done in the most scandalous, irresponsible and despicable manner.
'The looters simply looted and looted and looted as if there would be no day of reckoning," he lamented.
Comrade Omar said that the power sector probe confirmed that 'our economy has suffered and endured massive corruption, especially in recent years. NLC insists that the country cannot continue like this."
He challenged President Umaru Yar'Adua to rebuild confidence and trust in government by conducting a comprehensive probe, not only in the power sector, but all sectors of the economy, where corruption has been reported.
'There should be no sacred cows in this. Given the conflicting figures being bandied by different government officials, with respect to the power sector, it is imperative that the Auditor-General carries out a comprehensive audit of both the Ministry of Power and the relevant parastatals like NEPA and NIPP from 1999 to 2007," the NLC said.
In the letter to Yar'Adua, the NLC commended the president for taking steps that led to the reverse of the sales of public refineries and steel companies to individuals, saying that it was a signal that corruption would not be tolerated.
The president was told that the efforts of the National Assembly at unraveling the rot in the last administration should be supported by the executive.
'The nation therefore needs to go beyond the administrative steps taken by your administration and the investigation by the National Assembly. What is required and that which we demand is the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry.
'Such a commission can much more comprehensively inquire into the corrupt practices, recover mismanaged or embezzled funds, bring culprits to book and generally restore people's confidence in government and governance," the letter said.
Meanwhile, Oshiohmole has asked Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello to come out of hiding and face the law.
He told workers protesting against corruption that the laws Senator Obasanjo-Bello is running away from were put in place by her father.
Senator Obasanjo-Bello had gone into hiding to escape arrest and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) over her involvement in the N300 million scam in the Ministry of Health.
He said: 'In criminality, you don't stay in your house when your matter is in court. Senator Iyabo-Obasanjo should come out of hiding and face the law.
'The nemesis of the father has come to catch up with the daughter. The law she is running away from was made by her father. She should come out and answer the law."
The former labour leader, who recently recorded victory at the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal tasked President Yar'Adua to bring to book those who looted the nation blind in the last nine years.
Liking treasury looters to the story of ‘Ali Baba and the 40 thieves,' Oshiomhole asked the president to bring ‘Ali Baba' to book.
'We have caught the 40 thieves, what of Ali Baba? Who is Ali Baba? Where is Ali Baba?" he asked.