A group , Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to “kill corruption before it kills us”.The group which marched to Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday also called on Buhari to disband the Peace Committee and also restructure the anti-graft agencies.
In a statement endorsed by Aisha Yesufu and Sesugh Akume ,the group said “The anti-graft agencies should be restructured for better productivity. It is better to have 3-count charges that nail offenders than 55-count charges that fail to nail them, letting them go scot-free
“The Peace Committee be officially disbanded. It was set up on an ad-hoc basis and has fulfilled its terms of existence. The elections have been won and lost, there has been a transition to a new government which is in place
Excerpts of the group’s statement titled "Kill Corruption Before It Kills Us" Concerned Nigerians Task President Buhari ”reads thus:
We are a committed group of law-abiding and well-meaning patriotic Nigerians who have defied the artificial divides of religion, ethnicity, politics, gender, region, class, and so on to forge a common front for our nation, against her enemies.
Corruption and impunity are killing us as a nation. These have manifested in a culture of stealing of our commonwealth, lack of accountability, abuse of office, indiscipline, and other forms of corruption.
By this march, we as concerned, patriotic citizens of Nigeria have come out in unison to say No To Corruption. No To Impunity.
We are encouraged and are indeed proud that by Mr President's anticorruption stance alone things are beginning to take shape. Our national honour, pride, dignity, and hope are being restored. This, within less than 3 months of stewardship. Unfortunately however, we notice signs of pressure emerging from the enemies of our nation and her people to dissuade Mr President. First, the claimed being "witch-hunted". Now they suggest that Mr President should turn a blind eye to the monumental heist of our economy. To forgive and forget the mega looters of out treasury. Those who have caused us untold penury, pain and shame, and face "governance".
We are vehemently opposed to this. By this anticorruption/anti-impunity solidarity march to the President, we make a bold statement that We Stand With Our President In His Anticorruption/Anti-Impunity Stance.
We are demonstrating that:We Nigerians voted for Change, and are willing to go to any length to defend it
“When we Nigerians voted for Change, we meant for Mr President to recover all our stolen wealth and jail all offenders through just and transparent processes. We meant for him to make the system work. To create for us a Nigeria which is a land of peace, prosperity, and equal opportunity for all
“ We are united in one voice and are defying the narratives that divide us. That we are very angry, and are channelling our anger productively against corruption, impunity, mediocrity, divisions, poor governance, etc
“ Whoever seeks, or even attempts to derail or impede our Change process through whatever means (however clever or subtle) would be setting themselves up against patriotic Nigerian citizens, and we shall not hesitate to demonstrate our unwavering resolve.
To this end we demand of Mr President thus, that:
“A total war be declared on corruption. All our stolen wealth should be recovered, and whoever is found guilty should be jailed. There must be consequences for wrongdoing. This will serve as deterrence for us all
“ No one should be spared irrespective of political or whatever affiliations. The probes, investigations, prosecutions and incarcerations should not be limited to the immediate past government
“Due procedure should be seen to be followed
“The anti-graft agencies should be restructured for better productivity. It is better to have 3-count charges that nail offenders than 55-count charges that fail to nail them, letting them go scot-free
“The Peace Committee be officially disbanded. It was set up on an ad-hoc basis and has fulfilled its terms of existence. The elections have been won and lost, there has been a transition to a new government which is in place
“Mr President do more to unite Nigerians around the country, by travelling from region to region state to state, holding Town Hall meetings to galvanise Nigerians towards our goals, aside from from frequent media broadcasts
“ Mr President and Vice President Publicly declare their assets, whether required by law or not. Whether this was a promised during electioneering or not.
“This generation of Nigerian citizens have confidence in our President, and his ability to deliver, and wholly support his administration. Mr President, please do not fail us. We are concerned because this may be the last opportunity to salvage our country after 55 years of independent nationhood.
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