Nigeria can fight corruption if the leaders and their Families do not steal public funds: Peter Obi

 By: News Peddlers 

Peter Obi 

Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate, has urged Nigerian leaders to begin working towards a country built on competence and commitment in the battle against corruption.

Mr Obi made the remarks while speaking to the crowd at The Chinua Achebe Foundation's 10th anniversary memorial event. He stated that African leaders must be devoted to the rule of law.

The former governor of Anambra says Nigeria can combat corruption provided those in positions of authority and their families do not steal public cash. 

He stated, “People say that fighting corruption is not easy, but it is very easy. If you are in charge and you are not stealing, your wife is not stealing; your children are not stealing.

“Also, those working with you will not have any reason to steal, and you must have reduced corruption by over 50 per cent."

Mr Obi remembered how, as governor, he encountered a state that was ranked 27th out of 36 in education but made concerted efforts by handing over schools to missions and injecting cash into the area.

The LP standard bearer emphasised that this was to promote a very favourable learning environment. He claimed that the state advanced to first place and remained there until he left government.

"We can start thinking of a new Nigeria with competence and capacity that is committed to fighting corruption. Is it possible to fight corruption? The answer is yes!

“The trouble with Nigeria is self-inflicted. If Achebe were alive, he would have taken back the book.

“When he wrote it, there was no trouble. Now, there is real trouble in Nigeria. Rascality has become a measure of success in Nigeria. That must change,” Mr Obi stated

The presidential candidate stated that the late Achebe was correct in identifying Nigeria's problems as being caused by leadership.

He claimed that the internationally acclaimed author of 'Things Fall Apart' would weep bitterly today if he returned to see how the country has degraded after 40 years of his warning for constructive change.

According to him, Nigeria's problem is its leaders' refusal to accept the challenge of personal example, which are hallmarks of great leadership. 

(NAN)