It was sad to see an ex-convict, Bode George, celebrating his release from a two year prison sentence in Nigeria. Bode George was sent to prison for contract splitting, abuse of office and award of contract without due process while he was chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority. The Federal Executive Council is supposed to approve contracts of 100 billion Naira or more, but Bode George awarded such contracts without required approval.
The most shameful aspect of this obscene performance by this ex-con is that President Jonathan who is supposedly serious about fighting corruption in Nigeria delegated his Minister of Defense, prince Adetokunbo Kayode to represent him at the obscene celebration. Where is President Jonathan’s morals and sense of decency? Who will take him serious as an anti-corruption fighter he portends to be. Meanwhile he is working hard to truncate impending extradition of James Ibori to U.K. He is supposed to set example for the Nation. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo never disappoints. He was conspicuous present, seemingly unperturbed during the obscene celebration, commiserating with his friend Bode and damning the moral outrage of his actions as always.
I am encouraged by the moral outrage this ridiculous celebration by Bode George and his minions generated across all geographic regions of Nigeria.
Malam Nuhu Ribadu said “It is really a shameful thing that has happened. Instead of hiding their heads in shame they (PDP leaders) have the effrontery to celebrate corruption, in fact it is a national shame.”
Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated “the PDP’s action sends a wrong signal to Nigerian youths that it is alright to steal or mismanage public funds, since it can even turn them into a ‘hero’ like Bode George. There is nothing wrong in rehabilitating a prisoner. But turning an occasion that calls for penitence and soberness to a carnival of sorts is a disservice to Nigeria, and a clear signal that the wobbly anti-corruption war of the Goodluck Jonathan administration is finally dead. It also ridicules Nigeria in the eyes of the world.”
Mr. Joe Igbokwe admonished the celebration by stating, “They (PDP leaders) continue to mock Nigerians, they continue to insult our collective intelligence, they continue to tell us that impunity is no crime, they continue to make Nigeria a laughing stock in the comity of nations, they continue to disgrace the beautiful people of Nigeria, they continue to provoke Nigerians without remorse, they continue to tell us that they own Nigeria.”
Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) Vice President, Comrade Issa Aremu said, “It shows that we still have much work to be done on anticorruption. Yes, everybody cherishes freedom. But what is needed here is sober reflection. The family and others celebrating his freedom should ask, why was he jailed in the first place? He was jailed for abuse of public office, for corruption, this is certainly what we should be proud of and be celebrating. He is not Nelson Mandela who went to jail because he was fighting to liberate his people. I think those that are celebrating his freedom should play back the sermon of the priest at his church service and do a thorough sober reflection.”
President-General of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Comrade Peter Esele stated that “It is sending a bad message that it pays to be corrupt. It is sending a wrong signal to the nation’s youths that corruption pays. We are also sending a very wrong signal to the international community about our anti-corruption fight. It is only in Nigeria that somebody who was jailed for corruption should be celebrated. No matter how you look at it, it is bad for our morals, bad for us as a nation. It is very sad. Could you believe the former President who set up the agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that diligently jailed, Chief George, attended the church service? Among those that were at the church service were those that are leading us and are preaching against corruption.”
Lagos based lawyer and rights activist, Mr Bamidele Aturu stated that “My view is that there is nothing at all wrong with somebody celebrating or thanking God for coming out of the prison safely. I have been there. I know what it means for somebody to come out of Nigeria prison safely. However, we must show a level of humility and sobriety. For him to thank God for his life, it is a worthy celebration. The manner by which the program was organized is not good for our country.”
Widespread condemnation of Bode George shows that Nigerians are beginning to clue in to this cancer (corruption) ravaging Nigeria. Politicians and other corrupt officials in all sectors of Nigerian life are no longer content in stealing millions of Naira but have graduated to stealing billions. There is inverse relationship between corruption, moral depravity and lack of social amenities, unemployment and general decline of a nation.
I do not think it is wrong to rehabilitate an ex-convict but turning his release into a carnival-like celebration is the height of irresponsibility. Those involved must reflect on their values and apologize to Nigerians for their irresponsible and callous behavior.
Nigerians need to send loud and clear message to PDP with their vote in April, and put them on notice that the era of impunity, corruption, greed and wholesale waste of public fund will no longer to be tolerated. Nigeria will never advance or progress with the current level of corruption. Foreign and local investor will continue to shy away from Nigeria. Nigerian businessmen have started moving their investment to other African countries with better business environment.