Nigeria is damaged, bleeding, says anti-graft agency
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Anti-Corruption Awareness Organisation of Nigeria (ACAON) has described the country as one that is “seriously bleeding and damaged,” and in need of urgent attention if it must be rescued.
It lamented that the General Muhammadu Buhari regime had erred through carrying out various “wonders” and “operations” in the name of implementing a cashless policy, fuel scarcity and in conducting a “shambles” of a national elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to the anti-corruption agency in a statement on Thursday, the government’s actions had not only brought untold suffering on the citizenry, but also “turned (the nation) into a laughing stock and a disgrace before international bodies.”
ACAON through its board chairman, Prince Kola Adeyemi, noted that the recent happenings were “unfortunate and require urgent X-ray.” It said INEC boss, Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, as the Chief Returning Officer and a professor of History, had by his lapses succeeded in turning our democracy upside down despite all opportunities given to him to do otherwise.
“We should recall the constant pledges and assurances of Mr President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of leaving a legacy by ensuring free, fair, credible and transparent elections,” Adeyemi began.
He added, “We should also recall the numerous pronouncements of Professor Mahmoud to go by the rules, our Electoral Act and ensure the BVAS upload of results, which reverse was the case.
“Instead, we had the (INEC) Chairman going ahead to declare a ‘winner’ that is now causing avoidable unrest in the country.”
Speaking further, the ACAON board chairman wondered how one would explain the recent razing of shops belonging to a certain tribe in the country, and more recently at the Spare Parts Market at Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos.
Describing the evil acts as meant to cause confusion, he expressed the hope that there won’t be a repeat of the earlier violence experienced at the forthcoming Governorships and State House of Assembly polls nationwide, especially in Lagos State.
His words: “To be honest, postponing the proposed Governorships and State House of Assembly elections, to me has its advantages and disadvantages in appealing to our Judiciary to do the needful in accordance to the Rules of Law, with a view to safeguard our country from international embarrassment.”
Speaking on attack on the Igbo, the ACAON said the people have a right to live whereever they like in any part of the country, and described the ugly incidences in Lagos as an handiwork of hoodlums and unpatriotic citizens, bereft of government connivance.
It also encouraged all voters to come out and exercise their franchise on the new date for the polls, explaining that the security agencies were now redoubling their efforts to ensure protection of lives and properties.
