Nigerians have been named in the Halliburton bribe scandals and the so called Attorney General of Nigeria Mr. Aondoakaa is still beating about the bush on a matter that is before the entire world. Such a silly attitude reveals a lot about nonentities in power in Nigeria.

Abacha is not alive and therefore cannot answer to any bribery accusation. What about Abdulsalami and Obasanjo? Non-invisible NNPC officials have also been named. The truth is none of these men will suffer under the short arm of the Nigerian law. They are free, untouchables and unaccountable. It doesn’t matter what has happened to Halliburton in the US, Germany or Switzerland. We are talking about Nigeria and “nothing dey happen”! “No shakings”!

Nothing will happen because in Nigeria there is no rule of law and corruption is a way of life. In Nigeria corruption is fought with mouth and on the pages of newspaper. Those who suffer from the consequences of corruption in Nigeria can go to hell! They are the over 70m people who cannot afford a single decent meal under a 24 hour period. They probably also include an additional 20-30 percent who are living one less than 2 dollars per day.

Aondoakaa cannot prosecute Obasanjo or Abdusalami or any other corrupt Nigerian politician for that matter. He cannot, because he was brought in by one of the most corrupt processes ever to have taken place in Nigeria. He was rewarded with his position because Ibori his master invariably took over the running of Nigeria when Obasanjo was disgraced out of power. Elsewhere, I have stated that this illegal regime in Nigeria lacks the morality to pursue the rule of law. I think that I have been justified.

The EFCC also cannot prosecute Obasanjo or the other corrupt people involve in the scandal. Farida is the second stooge for Ibori. I felt so sorry for those men discussing democratic license on AIT on 5th April 2009 because though they spoke the truth, they could not hit the nail with the correct hammer. They, like millions of Nigerians, wanted the Nigerian government to do the right thing but they refused to say why the government will not do anything. I have also stated that in Nigeria only the masses and defenceless like me suffer from the hands of the law

An illegal government borne of corruption cannot fight corruption. One of the guys on the AIT program named Mr. Memedu Andrew of ACTIONAID mentioned though that in 48 years of Nigeria’s existence, more than 64 trillion naira has disappeared into thin air. This according to him is equivalent to the stealing of Nigeria’s Federal Budget for 20 years!!! Then I knew I was right all along when I wrote 48 years of waste at the end of 2008.

What kind of indices are used to measure corruption? I have looked macroscopically on a global level and I cannot find a nation more corrupt than Dora’s Nigeria. Sincerely, the microscopic details need to be made clearer. In a country where more than 90m of the citizens are deliberately deprived of their dignity and human rights I found no other competitor for the most devastating effect of corruption perpetrated by a clique.

Halliburton and the corrupt non-Nigerian officials have been prosecuted and made to face the music in other countries but nothing has happened in Nigeria. Yes America is corrupt, UK is corrupt, Sweden is corrupt but corruption with a face is punished in these countries. Even in South-East Asia and South America, corrupt people and government officials are punished and thrown into prison from time to time. In Nigeria corruption with faces are rewarded.

If Aondoakaa or Farida dare to prosecute Obasanjo or Abdulsalami the event will trigger a chain reaction that will probably lead to that cleansing that Nigeria has been longing for. It is a process that is vital to branding of Nigeria and the eradication of mass poverty. But these beneficiaries of corruption (that is Aondoakaaa and Farida) will not dare to start a process that will consume them in the end. This is part of the biggest problems we face in this country. We have no heroes!

We need heroes, we need a reaction and a system that will throw corrupt people where they really belong-JAIL. With the current perception of the Nigerian government, this is most unlikely. Therefore when the results for corrupt nations will be announced in 2009 Nigeria will make a lucky escape if she does not sit tight at the bottom of the ladder. If this Halliburton case is aligned with the Siemens Scandal, the Power Probe in the Senate and the hundreds of other probes that have been swept under the carpet, I do not see any reason why anyone should raise an eyebrow if Nigeria has no competitor for the bottom spot as the most corrupt country in the world.

I was shocked to my bone marrow when Umaru was lamenting the absence of Nigeria from the G-20 meeting that took place in London recently. I was shocked because the meeting did not say C-20 which would have meant top 20 most Corrupt Nation. I would have been surprised if that type of invitation was not extended to Nigeria. Even the hosting would have been billed for Abuja-the cradle of corruption. Really, is Nigeria a part of the global village? How could anyone one miss the purpose of that meeting in London? Did they mention Ghana-must-go bags or illegal oil rigs? Did they mention money laundering or kick backs?

Which other government in the world emphasises so much on the rule of law and due process without taking definite steps towards actualising the slogans? Obviously none! It is better to keep quiet and do something than to make so much noise and do nothing. In 2009 Nigeria, the best rebranding that can be done is to prosecute and jail all the corrupt people that we now know by names.

The next step towards a successful rebranding will be to count our votes as soon as possible. Those fake rebranding jingles being sounded across the country are actually contributing to poverty and impoverishment and any partaker in such operations is a pure enemy of Nigeria. If the money being wasted on this worthless project is used to deliver bore holes to some communities, innocent children and the fragile elderly will be saved from water-borne diseases and untimely deaths. Such people like Dora and her gang who are busy rebranding corruption can only do so because of the insanity of our political culture. For now they can carry on with their mad acts under one of the most corrupt governments known to man.

The Nigerian government will not raise a finger about these cases going by the recent declaration of Aondoakaa at the recent FEC meeting in Abuja. Even Dora appeared during the week saying Nigeria will prosecute the Nigerians mentioned in the Halliburton scandal. What a propaganda machine? These people don’t care about the image of Nigeria. They only care about the personal wealth they amass. They are in a war of “who is the richest” through looting. They care about these perishable earthly things more than the decency and dignity of their fellow country men. They don’t give a damn about the situation of the over 90m Nigerians living desperately below the poverty level.

Finally, I do not look forward to any Nigerian official denying or even crying when the international reports that may confirm Nigeria as the most corrupt country in the world in 2009. The Halliburton and the Siemens scandal, among several others are there for all to see.

If we (the ordinary masses) cannot do anything about it and we let our government take us for a ride one more time, then we must be ready to live with all those unpalatable national and international stigmas that plainly reveal the stupidity of rebranding.

aderounmu@gmail.com

Thy Glory O’ Nigeria…!

Robot  # 1 | 11.04.2009 05:57

Nigerian politics thrives on lies, deceit and shamelessness. In 2009 Nigeria will probably be named as the most corrupt country in the world. The chances are high and the risk ever present. Nigerians have been named in the Halliburton bribe scandals and the so called Attorney General of Nigeria Mr. Aondoakaa is still beating about the bush on a matter that is before the entire world. Such a silly attitude reveals a lot about nonentities in power in Nigeria. Abacha is not alive and therefore cannot answer to any bribery accusation. What about Abdulsalami and Obasanjo? Non-invisible NNPC officials have also been named. The truth is none of these men will suffer under the short arm of the Nigerian law. They are free, untouchables and unaccountable. It doesn’t matter what has happened to Halliburton in the US, Germany or Switzerland. We are talking about Nigeria and “nothing dey happen”! “No shakings”! Nothing will happen because in Nigeria there is no rule o...Read the full article.

Iroabuchi Onwuka  # 2 | 11.04.2009 08:30

This whole re-distribution of Nigeria as corrupt make waste the impact of good citizen. The corrupt polity of country is part experience, part religious, altogther historical. Nigerians cheap each other...I was cheaped by two well conservatively dressed Yoruba women. I mean their whole papers and many other things were fake...I saw it late but I decided to just let them have it and reported the transaction void. I mean even the direct commisson was a fake assortment of 20 dollars that looked so real, but when I realised the papers were fake I had to check the money. Yet I decided not to disgrace my people. I have had similar experience with White people but no body in the office spoke of it. They were privately persecuted. Corrupted and bad people are every where in the world and so is corruption but only fools speak loudly about thier mother's bad cooking. Stick to the bright side as a way to over come the bad. We can use some useful accouting technology to block this phenomenon in Nigeria. You see corruption is pathological, as such people can be influenced by people around them. When you normalise the habit of cheating or acting out of order, it becomes infectious and self perpetuated. Nigeria is addicted so it will take some time and effort to heal the serium. The English started it all (bribery and corruption) in Nigeria through indirect rule of the North...which resulted to the occassion of influencing the top through savviness and needs be, bribery. Then they lobbied and bribed Nigerians out of there own homes, lands, business using fat Emirs. When they left, they left the institution still standing.

Solid  # 3 | 11.04.2009 12:47

People: The British rule over us is over. Our collective destiny remains on our hands, whether we make good of it or not is another matter. We claimed to be equally talented and proud as the Britons, why still call them about gaining self rule since 1960? Nigerians must rise above tribe, institution eg soldiers, corruption, deceit, lies, and many other vices to straighten up the country. We must act and not talk. 3 heads of state has been indicted in halliburton probe...isn't it about time we drag these people to court? Are we waiting for Britons to do it for us? We all sit and watch who will 'bell the cat' Thanks, SOLID

changenigeriamovement  # 4 | 11.04.2009 23:24

We are always looking for someone, except ourselves, to blame for our problems. We can blame the colonial masters for as long as we want but the British are not the ones living in darkness. Nigeria is not the only country to have been colonized, Ghana was and has moved on to lay the foundation for a sound society, economically and politically. It is always easy to identify those are are benefiting from the corruption in Nigeria or are angling to join them - just read their double speak and claim to patriotism. If all we can do is talk, the decay in Nigeria will go on forever. We already know that we have a problem, we should now be spending our precious time figuring out what to do about it. Pampering the politicians is a policy of appeasement and we know the history of that policy's woeful failure. Nigerian policians need to be whipped in line, that is the only language they understand. There is a Bini saying that the most efficient way to alart a deaf person to an emergency is a sound slap to the face.

Iroabuchi Onwuka  # 5 | 12.04.2009 11:14

mr changenigeriamovement, there was no 'indirect rule' in Ghana. No 'indirect manipulation' of public officials and bosses as such bribery and corruption is low. Above all, the manipulating god of Yoruba is not there either. One more thing, slapping a deaf in Nigeria is inviting a gorilla 'whop' ass. Bribery and Corruption in Nigeria is an English institution and 'phenomenom'. For me, they started it all with currying favor to one group versus another and using one fat chief over the other. All these stealing of Government property and money is not possible with electronic device, it is done with good English. The English are still stealing in Nigeria...that's a fact, even without oil. Do you think that Burkingham Beni and Igbo arts were really bought from Nigeria. They acquired it. You don't need me to tell what that means. I mean how else would you explain the death of a certain man called Shaw - he was a property wreck, a soldier of fortune (another English expression for armed robber) who was shot in the attempt to loot Benin in early part of the 19th century. Himself and other renegade such as Federick Lugard raided the palace possibly on information from George Goldie...who was blocked around the river Niger by a certain rural coalition that must included the Oba. The English called it a raid but it was really armed robbery. I discovered the shooting incident in Lord Lugard's diary, which also explained the Lugard's work in Congo before heading towards Nigeria on Goldie's invitation.

BOE  # 6 | 13.04.2009 06:41

#1 in The World's Worst Places to... and the general corruption index also points to pole position. Excellent reporting but shame about the usual comments from those that do not see critical analysis as thinking out of the box that could enable solutions. We all want the good life but without an enabling government, living in a constant state of war where education does not flourish will keep us poor. Good People, Great Nation, but Corrupt Government will keep Nigeria in the Middles Ages. Does Africa have leaders capable of solving Africa's problems? Blaming those dead colonials is a sure way to ruin while we ask the US & UK to taken on our thugs, in the meanwhile, we create many millionaire former leaders. How did they and their cronies become so rich? That is not so bad, it is in the new leadership roles that we give them that stinks.

PAPIG  # 7 | 13.04.2009 08:31

With AOODOAKAA as AGF, there would be no contest on the most corrupt country on earth. I however completely disagree with you about not having heroes. Yes, they are far and in between, but they exist. And they are completely devoid of traits of corruption. Their lifestyle speaks VOLUME OF THEIR PERSONAE. One who has remained active on the side of the PEOPLE inspite of unbelievable temptation, is ABUKALDIR BALARABE MUSA. LIKE AWOLOWO, HE HAS STAYED MARRIED TO ONE WIFE INSPITE OF BEING A MUSLIM ENTITLED TO FOUR WIVES. UNLIKE AWOLOWO, HIS MATERIAL POSSESSION IS SPARTAN INSPITE OF BEING A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL. HE IS A TRAINED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT WHO HAS PITCHED HIS CAMP WITH THE MASSES INSPITE OF ENTREATIES TO CROSS CARPET. HE HAS CONSISTENTLY STOOD HIS GROUND WHEN HE COULD DO DEALS TO FEATHER HIS POCKET. HE IS UNAFRAID OF VESTED INTERESTS LIKE THE MILITARY, CORRUPT AND POWERFUL POLITICIANS AND OUR RETROGRESSIVE FEUDAL SYSTEM. We the PEOPLE MUST INVITE THIS MAN OF INTEGRITY TO BE OUR LEADER. He has no money to give to us but is capable of taking NIGERIA FORWARD AND OUT OF THE DARK AGES. I am a proud to say that BALARABE MUSA is one man who has what it takes to UNSHACKLE US FROM PREVENTABLE POVERTY AND RISING INFANT MORTALITY. REMEMBER HE HAS NO MONEY TO OFFER YOU TO GAIN YOUR VOTE! HE HAS ALREADY GOT MY VOTE AND I AM BY NO MEANS POOR!

Solid  # 8 | 16.04.2009 20:17

People: I will not single-out one Nigerian and trumpet his attributes. If only one man can be picked in every thousand, we are doomed!...why don't we have a ration like one-bad person to every twenty or more good ones. Thats when we should nurse alittle comfort with our society. Britons have left decades ago......it is a very lame excuse to keep calling them for all our woes. All our so-called leaders are Nigerians, if there is any external infiltration, it is their duty to stop such action. Leaders are supposed to tackle problems as they come. Take problems like the immunity clause in our constitution...........while in power, we were stopped from prosecuting leaders.....now that they are out of power...our courts are still holding brief to protect them against public outcry. WHO IS TO BLAME..........British people? SOLID

PAPIG  # 9 | 18.04.2009 06:48

BALARABE MUSA AS OUR PRESIDENT COME 2011 Dear Mr SOLID Only one person can be the President of a country at a time. Why can we not devote our time picking a man or woman who would SURELY REPRESENT OUR INTEREST just like Obasanjo choose Yar'Adua to represent his interests and other PDP rogues? It has taken just one man for the USA to be seen in ANOTHER LIGHT. I make bold to say that if John McCain had been elected, the US would not have been seen in the current light. We cannot afford to wait for EVERY NIGERIAN to become a saint before we start moving forward as a nation. The GODFATHERS will only sanction and approve candidates who will guarantee them IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION OR FORFEITURE OF THEIR ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH. If a POPE is approved by the THEIVING GODFATHERS, be rest assured he or she would NEVER HAVE THE WHEREWITHAL to look after the interest of the MASSES, even if he/she desperately wants to. This is where, we the people come in. We have to find OUR OWN CANDIDATE AND RALLY AROUND HIM/HER. I SUGGEST ALHAJI BALARABE MUSA, given his pedigree and antecedent stand in public office. If you have a better candidate with LASTING INTEGRITY WHO WILL FIGHT ON THE SIDE OF THE PEOPLE COME WHAT MAY, i suggest you name him or her so that we can all rally round him/her with a view to propelling him/her to ASO ROCK. WE SURELY MUST HAVE LEARNT OUR LESSONS AS AN OPPRESSED PEOPLE BY OUR OWN KIND. PLEASE, NO EX-MILITARY, POLICE, NPN, PDP OR CARPET-CROSSER IS WELCOME.