A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Moshood Salvador on Saturday advocated for capital punishment for corrupt practices in Nigeria.
He noted that corrupt officials and technocrats took advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari’s long medical trip to the United Kingdom (UK) and re-enacted themselves in the “business of corruption.”
He spoke on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while delivering a public lecture “2023: Whither Nigeria?”
The Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, also noted that the National Assembly members gave their “powerful support to legalise the act.”
- Says lawmakers are selfish
Salvador, a one time House of Representatives member, took a swipe at the lawmakers, saying they are in the legislature for selfish reasons.
He said: “As soon as President Muhammadu Buhari got the mantle of power because of the no nonsense man he was known for, all government workers including the public were ready to go by way of integrity.
“All windows of corruption were getting closed. Special type of accounts was introduced for proper revenue collection. Immediately Mr President’s health deteriorated and was hospitalized for a long time, the technocrats perfected their strategies of embezzlement and corruption waged in, in a big way.
“Elected members of legislative houses will then give their powerful support to legalise the act as designed. It is sad to know that legislators came to the House for money making and not in the interest of their people. I was once a legislator.”
To tackle corruption, he advocated for capital punishment.
- There should be no bail for corruption charges
Salvador who submitted that Nigerians are dying due to corrupt practices of the public officials at all levels of government, said fighting the menace requires an “iron hand and all seriousness.”
Salvador, also demanded that no bail condition for corruption charge should be given.
“At this point, I will advise that we should forgive ourselves. Forgive those that were charged with corruption. Let us start with a clean slate of seriousness and determination.
“Let there be laws that will treat corruption that can be traced to life lost as murderer.
“Let there be no bail for any corruption charge since Nigerians are dying due to these corrupt practices. Let there be capital punishment for life related corruption.
“Though most nations abolished capital punishment, but 60 percent of the world population live in the country where death penalty is being retained such as China, India, USA, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria inclusive, because murderer can face death penalty. Ethiopia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Islam nations, corruption erodes the trust we have in the public sector to act in our best interest.
“This is part of the reasons why major investors are finding it very difficult to come to this type of economy. We must all change and we must be ready if want to stamp out corruption in our society if truly and honestly we want a better Nigeria,” said.
On his part, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure warned that Nigeria may not reach the promise land in the face of discrimination and enthocentricism.
Kazaure also preached unity and tolerance in order to tackle insecurity challenges confronting the nation.
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