A Former Chief Executive of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has zeroed in on the fact that the fight against corruption can only be effective and successful if it starts with accountability among top government authorities.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo expressed that tackling corruption at the highest levels of leadership would set a model for other people and demonstrate the government’s obligation to transparency and integrity.
The information was focused on Obasanjo’s legacies in government and his evaluation of the present Nigeria.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo portrayed corruption as hydra-headed and one that has eaten profound into the fabric of Nigerian society, underlining that the battle against corruption should begin with leadership for it to succeed.
“The best way of fighting corruption is starting from the head, that is where corruption has to be fought from,” he stated.
The former President likewise presented that the battle against corruption should be a steady and day to day affair to stop it from ever really developing.
“Corruption is very hydra-headed and eats deep. I think it was the Sultan of Sokoto, the father of the present Sultan who said corruption is like a ‘babariga’, if you are folding it on one side, it’s falling apart on the other side. When you carry it on both sides, you cannot hold your hands up and as soon as you put your hands down, it’s falling apart.
“It’s anything but a one-day issue. It’s not a one-regime affair. It’s not even a two-regime affair. Not only that, but it must be predictable. Not only that, but it must be non-stop. Furthermore, it has to be a daily affair. When one system is let off, it spreads.”
He called for an adjustment in the recruitment and appointment of leaders into public offices, demanding that political appointments should be based on merit instead of political or tribal basis.
Speaking on the aspect of leadership, he said independent leaders or those enthroned by Satan will undoubtedly fizzle.
He stated that only God makes a leader, and whoever he ordains will succeed.
“So I will say most leaders are prepared by God, and they put in place by God and when that happens the chances of success are higher than when you make yourself a leader which may not be the act of God.
“What’s more, again people saying all leaders are made by God, I don’t acknowledge that. A leader can also be made by Satan. In the case of Job, you can remember Satan was going up and down and went before God and God was commending Job, but Satan said Job was upright to God because he has got from God.
“We must accept that Satan is real, and he has power, he has no salvation, but he has power and the power of Satan must not be underestimated.”
