ABUJA: Corruption should Not Be Politicized, Says Osinbajo

Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN)

VICE President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday berated the past leaders of the country stating that the indiscriminate manner public officeholders looted and mismanaged the economy of the nation with no sense of responsibility is supposed to attract shames to everyone.

The Vice President noted that the atrocities committed by self-centered leaders over the years were the kind that if they happened in other countries of the world be considered as a crime against humanity and urged the traditional institution to join hands with the present administration of President Mohammadu Buhari in eradicating corruption in the country.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, the Vice President made the statement when he received a delegation of Remo Traditional Rulers and Chiefs led by the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Michael Sonariwo at the State House, Abuja.

“As leaders, we must condemn corruption in the strong terms; more so traditional rulers do not belong to any political party. The kind of corruption we experienced in the recent past is the kind that in any other part of the world, it would be considered as a crime against humanity. What the leaders did in the past few years is very shameful. Corruption is such a terrible thing and I don’t think it is a matter of politics. I think its one thing everybody should be ashamed of, if you consider what the leaders of this country had done," Osinbajo said.

The Vice President noted that the target of the federal government’s anti corruption drive is essentially to put in place a system where everyone is accountable and responsible for actions taken while in the public service of the federation.

“We are trying to put in place a system that ensures that there is consequence if you do wrong, so that the people you serve are not treated like animals. I think that, one of the major problems that we have faced is just that the level of corruption is high. The fact is that when you look at what has happened, the truth is stranger than fiction. When you look at the facts and figures, it doesn’t make sense,” the Vice President explained.

In a vote of thanks, Oba Sonariwo thanked the Vice President for the warmth reception accorded to the delegation and pledged its support to the anti-corruption drive of the federal government. Emphatically, he noted that President Buhari and the Vice President have so far demonstrated a political-will to adequately govern the nation, and wished them fruitful endeavours as they lead the nation.