How to Fight Corruption

By Edwin Edwin Okon . . .

Corruption can be likened to a deadly virus, that infects, slowly debilitates its host and without adequate measures to fight its spread, destroys the foundations and stability of a country.

Ancient Rome is an example of a country that saw its end by the effects of corruption. Nigeria, in modern times is an example of how disastrous corruption has taken its toll on her development and existence.

Recently at Ibadan, Fmr. President Obasanjo delivered a lecture on the need to kick out all forms of corruption. He further elucidated that corruption cannot be limited to monetary terms, rather we should consider other forms of corruption such as attitude, nepotism and favouritism. I agree with him. Albeit, his administration has been criticized and noted for encouraging and enshrining godfatherism, political gangsterism, nepotism, favouritism, imposition of candidates against the collective will of the people amongst others.

Public service has four core values; Efficiency, accountability, performance and equity. A deviation from any of these values provides a nexus for corruption to thrive. Corruption kills. Corruption kills our reasoning. Corruption kills our patriotism. Corruption kills the moral gene of our existence. Corruption kills every opportunity to advance.

In like manner, every virus that kills needs to be contained and eradicated. Corruption cannot be fought by arrests and convictions alone. Neither can it be fought by simply appointing “good” men and women into positions of power nor can it be fought by media trials and propaganda.

Corruption can only be eradicated by well­grounded and conceptualized approaches. Some of these steps include poverty elimination, education, incorporating a culture of meritocracy and accountability, creating strong anti­corruption movements, and adopting technological solutions.

In a recent Corruption index by Transparency International, 9 of the bottom 20 countries on the corruption index are from Africa. Nigeria isn’t among this group. However, we occupy the 136th position. An improvement?

While Buhari’s resolve to fight corruption must be commended, I believe his war against corruption will be lost and a waste of time if the root causes of corruption are not dealt with. Poverty is an important cause of corruption. It is a major impediment to the fight against corruption. Studies have shown a positive correlation between poverty rates and corruption indices. Countries with high levels of poverty are also the most afflicted by the scourge of corruption.

Unemployment, low minimum wages and salaries are some of the factors that underlie an increase in poverty rate. President Buhari must ensure that he pays attention to the welfare of civil servants who are easily exposed to receiving kickbacks.

There is no point calling for Nigerians to sacrifice when governors, senators and public office holders live ostentatious lives, yet refuse to pay the minimum wage or allow any discussions on workers’ welfare. Gradual increments in workers’ remunerations periodically will decrease the impulse to engage in corruption.

Furthermore, poverty eradication must be hand in glove with education. Anti­corruption campaigns to highlight the effects and dangers of corruption on economic growth and national development are imperative. Increasing child enrollment in primary schools and ensuring compulsory education to secondary school are vital ways of keeping the society educated on the dangers of corruption.

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Anti­corruption bodies such as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must have an educational unit to liaise with primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to offer lectures and seminars on corruption and its dangers. Agencies like the National Orientation Agency must step up its activities and educate members of the public on effects of corruption.

Moving on, we need the political will to dare all odds. So far, President Buhari has not demonstrated that he has the Political will to fight corruption. Most of the recent arrests made so far are against the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

For any war against corruption to achieve results, there should be no sacred cows even if that means arresting powerful and highly placed individuals. Buhari must look within his party. No one must be spared on the altar of equity and justice. The war against corruption must be genuine and not vindictive.

Most individuals have also advocated for stiffer penalties such as death sentence. I am not in favour of this.

Stiffer penalties are counterproductive. Studies have shown that countries with death penalty as punishment for corruption remain the countries with high corruption index. Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China are examples of countries with the severe punishments. All harsh penalties. All remain corrupt. In contrast, Hong Kong, which stipulates a

10 year sentence for anyone found guilty of corruption is one of the top 10 cleanest countries in the world.
In addition, a culture of meritocracy must be upheld and cronyism abolished. Positions in the civil service and public office must be earned by merit and qualifications not on the basis of man­know­man. Meritocracy will determine that persons in a position are accountable to the people they serve and not to a father, uncle, friend or godfather.

Merit guards against nepotism, sustains the values of hard work, honesty and transparency.

The problem of corruption can be solved. Like every war, one must be prepared. Nigerians are fond of saying, when you fight corruption, corruption fights back. Nevertheless, those who claim to wage war on corruption, do so unprepared.

Poverty eradication, Education, Political will and tradition of meritocracy and accountability are major weapons to
use to guarantee a defeat of corruption.

Edwin Okon Jr. writes from Saint Vincent & the Grenadines

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