Femi Aribisala, an erudite scholar, public figure and seasoned critic granted Punch newspaper an interview about Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan and what to expect under the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari. We are presenting to you Aribisala’s view on how Buhari will end corruption in Nigeria from the long interview. We are thankful to Punch for this opportunity.
Here you have it:
The President-elect is reportedly known for his anti-corruption stand and integrity, don’t you share this view?
I disagree completely. The President-elect is very good at making anti-corruption noises, but his actions contradict him. The last time he was Nigeria’s Head of State, he tried to fight corruption with corruption. Imposing retroactive decrees and killing Nigerians under them is corruption. Putting an Igbo vice-president in Kirikiri, while placing the Fulani president under palatial house arrest, is corruption.
Detaining people like Michael Ajasin in jail, even after they were discharged and acquitted by kangaroo courts, is corruption. Jailing journalists for telling the truth is corruption. Putting pressure on a judge in order to jail Fela Anikulapo Kuti is corruption. Shepherding 53 suitcases of contraband unchecked through customs during a currency change exercise is corruption. Presiding over the theft of N25bn of Petroleum Trust Fund money is corruption. Swearing an affidavit that your school-leaving certificate is with the military when it is not is corruption.
With all you have said and written about Buhari, does it mean you don’t expect anything meaningful from his government in the next four years?
I live in Nigeria. I wish Nigeria well. Therefore I hope I am wrong about General Buhari. I hope he will surprise me. But I doubt it. General Buhari did not provide any meaningful public policy programme throughout the campaign. All we got were rhetoric and platitudes. Nothing meaningful came out of his last stint in power. I doubt anything meaningful will come in the next four years. But I pray that I am wrong.
Are you saying you don’t agree with the majority of Nigerians who say President Jonathan under-performed?
Obviously, I don’t agree that President Jonathan has not performed. I have stated in my write-ups that the president performed, and I gave my reasons. What makes you think the outcome of a flawed election will now suddenly change my views? When the air clears, the true history of the Jonathan administration will be written.
Then how would you assess the President in the area of security and corruption?
What is the point of that now? Let us now see how General Buhari will destroy Boko Haram in a matter of days like he did Maitasine. Let us see how many days it will take him to bring back our girls. Let us see how he will end corruption when he has a legislature full of corrupt politicians who used all kinds of means to get elected. General Buhari’s vain promises will begin to haunt him in the coming weeks and months. (Credit: Punch).