Talking About a Revolution, By Babatunde Jose ll

“0 Prophets, you are not to use your authority or influence over your people to acquire benefits for yourselves. You are to use for your own persons, that which the law permits and must act appropriately in accordance with law on all occasions.” (Quran 23: 51)

There are ominous signs in the horizon that if the current war on corruption is not well managed and the culprits are allowed to slip through the hands of the law, grave consequences awaits us in this nation. The corruption bomb as it were, is ticking and could explode anytime: If and when it does, the remote and immediate causes would be:

•The colossal sum involved in the whole racket, running into trillions of Naira.

•Failure of the authorities to corral and punish the culprits.

•Perception by the populace that the elite are shielding and protecting each other, as there are so may perceived corrupt leaders still unexposed.

•Impunity and the continued revelation of more corruption stories.

•Failure of the judiciary to stem the tide by making examples of some or many of the culprits, including deliberate ineptitude of prosecutors. There are even whispers that the Judi too is on the take.

•Many of the cases have spanned three administrations inconclusively.

•Frustration of the masses in the light of worsening socio economic situation.

•High rate of unemployment and the steady stream of an army of frustrated youth, ready to die on the barricade should a revolution occur.

•Mass disaffection arising from the increasing high cost of daily living, juxtaposed with the revelation of trillions being stolen and starched in the coffers of the thieves.

•Serious allegations against ‘the ancien regime’ of grand larceny and their getting away with it.

•Increasing attempt by fifth columnists to scuttle the current efforts to right the wrongs.

The war on corruption is one that has to be fought to its logical conclusion. It cannot be otherwise. This is a social contract between the current administration and the people. The whole election was fought on the promise of change.

The administration cannot go back on its promise. It is a contract backed by the age-old dictum of ‘Pacta Sunt Servanda’. A principle which also has a religious basis in Islam: Muslims must abide by their stipulations, which are clearly expressed in many places in the Quran.

For too long, people have been taken for fools: Not anymore. The Arab Spring was successful because of the catalytic effect of the now ubiquitous social media. Last week, Face Book announced that WhatsApp crossed the ‘billion’ subscriber threshold. In Nigeria today, nearly 100 million are on one social media or the other. Add to this the live Friday Huthba in mosques all over the country. There is also the Sunday meeting ground of our Christian brothers and sisters in churches all over. And to crown it all, the beer parlor and bus stop social commentators and agitators. There is no doubt of what will happen if the current war is scuttled. If there could be an Arab Spring, why not a Nigerian Harmattan?

Perhaps we should try to recap some of the cases:

•April 2008 Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello’s case was inconclusive.

•Case against former Governor of Enugu State; Chimaroke Nnamani, still inconclusive,

•The various frauds in NNDC since its inception are inconclusive.

•The Saminu Turaki N36 billion scandal is still inconclusive.

•Alao Akala, Hosea Agboola and Femi Babalola’s N15 billion saga, is still inconclusive.

•Since July 2007, Uzor Orji Kalu’s arraignment for criminal diversion of public funds in excess of N5 billion is still inconclusive.

•The case of Joshua Dariye, involving N700 million is still on and still came up recently.

•The 41 count charge brought up against former Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba state is still inconclusive since 2007.

•Case of former Chairman of House Committee on Power, Ndudi Elumelu on a N5.2 billion fraud charge is still pending.

•Investigation into the 100 billion naira diversion during the eight-year rule of former governor of River State, Peter Odilli is still inconclusive.

•Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State, was able to get away after plea bargain, despite all the allegations involving $24 million, N7 billion business in South Africa, N4 billion hotel in Benin and the famous 3.3 million pounds Kenwood mansion in UK; he was asked to pay a paltry N500 million and forfeiture of three properties.

•Abdulrasheed Maina Pension scam involving pension funds affecting 141,790 pensioners is still pending. He has absconded with the loot. Declared wanted by INTERPOL.

•The kerosene subsidy scam is also inconclusive as no one has been sanctioned.

•Police Pension Fund scandal involving it’s former Director and monies totalling about N32.8 billion is still inconclusive.

•The N255 million Armoured BMW scandal also inconclusive.

•Case of the missing N20 billion oil money is now shrouded in mystery.

•Case of the $15 million for arms was scuttled by the last administration.

•Nothing followed the Abba Morro Immigration recruitment scandal.

•Malabu Oil scandal is inconclusive.

•Ekitigate has recently resurfaced with the revelation by a principal participant who is now accused of perjury. Case inconclusive

•The Farouk Lawan $620,000 bribe scandal is inconclusive.

•Former Kogi State Governor Audu died after winning the recent election. His corruption case died with him, inconclusive.

The cases above are those known to us because they are in the public domain. However, what of the cases that are unknown to the public, but which carry price tags that shame the current Dasukigate? NNPC is the preferred ATM of successive administrations. When the wind of change blows towards that behemoth called NNPC, all hell would be let loose. If the probes are carried to logical conclusion, those touting ‘Hilltop’ mansions would likely have to come to account. And we are not talking of one ‘Hilltop’ mansion. With NNPC in the dock, matters would have to lead to the simmering scandal of the West African Gas Pipeline project, the various Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the Refineries that led to nowhere, the stupendous wealth of its erstwhile managers; And off course, the case of Diezani, who is reportedly nursing her cancer in London. The case of the former managing director of NIMASA is also there; with eye-popping revelations.

And recently, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Managing Director, AMCON Ahmed Kuru, was reported as lamenting that rich Nigerians indebted to the agency continue to live large, flying around the globe in their private jets, while neglecting to meet their obligations to the corporation. He put the figure being owed the corporation at N5.4trillion.

In an article by Price Waterhouse it said if we can deal with corruption head on, our GDP will rise to about $2 trillion in 2030, which is possible, considering the volume of money the country has made from the Black Gold since Independence.

Once we are able to get these monies which are in private pockets, it can be used to revamp the economy. Between, 1958 to 1966 Nigeria earned N140 million from petroleum resources. The country earned a similar figure during the 30-month civil war. During the nine-year tenure of General Yakubu Gowon, including the civil war years, the country generated about N11 billion from crude oil. In his first coming as military head of state between 1976 and 1979, the regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo got N24.883 billion from petroleum resources. Between 1980 and 1983 during the civilian administration of former President Shehu Shagari, the figure stood at N35.986 billion.

In his first coming as head of state (1984 to 1985), Nigeria under Major General Muhammadu Buhari earned N19.18 billion from crude oil. Under General Ibrahim Babangida military regime, which expired in 1993, earnings from crude oil were about N318.121 billion. During the short stint of the Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim Regime in 1993, the figure was N106.192 billion. During the late General Sani Abacha years – 1993 to 1998, Nigeria earned N1.415, 507 trillion and under General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the earnings were N394.766 billion. During Obasanjo’s eight-year civilian administration, about N24.179 trillion was generated. Under late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, about N9.535 trillion was earned from crude oil and during the immediate past administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, about N62.253 trillion was raked in from petroleum resources.

Vanguard’s investigations show that since Nigeria started generating revenue from crude oil in 1958, the country has earned about N98.293 trillion. A figure corroborated by the Petroleum Inspectorate, NNPC.

The sad thing is that nobody is in jail for robbing this nation blind.

By the time the Corruption Bomb is detonated, there would be an uprising against the political elite. It reminds one of Tracy Chapman’s epic song – Talking ’Bout the Revolution:

Don’t you know

They’re talkin’ bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

While they’re standing in the welfare lines

Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation

Wasting time in the unemployment lines

Sitting around waiting for a promotion

Poor people gonna rise up

And get their share

Poor people gonna rise up

And take what’s theirs

Don’t you know