Re:Their Looting Excellencies, The Source, October 9, 2006
This was The Source cover story that dwelt on the 31 state governors that have been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It baffles one that 31 out of 36 state governors are corrupt.
In looking at this story, one begins to wonder how in the first place, these people of questionable character found their way to power, because before anybody is nominated by his party to stand as governorship candidate, the party must have confidence in the aspirant.
So, the whole thing lies on the transparency of the election.
When people of questionable character are elected into office, money meant to be used for development purpose are siphoned.
In the above mentioned story, EFCC specifically mentioned Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and his family for siphoning N45 billion of Abia State fund.
The EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu, went further to say that the case of Zamfara State is the worst because according to him, the government is carrying out direct stealing.
Now imagine, when 31 out of 36 governors are stashing billions of naria meant to be used for development purpose, what hope has the common man in Nigeria?
Now after being in office for eight years, these corrupt governors must have short-changed the Nigeria masses. To avoid a repetition of this kind of mess, political parties must choose credible people as their flagbearers come 2007.
Abrakasa Williams,
FCT, Abuja.

The Return of Kingibe
Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe was a well-known name that rang bell during the June 12, 1993 election that was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida. To many Nigerians, Kingibe was a democrat until he betrayed that confidence by accepting to serve in the late Sani Abacha administration as Internal Affairs Minister.
While in the Abacha administration, Kingibe, turned his back on the struggle to actualise the June 12 election despite the fact he was the Vice President-elect.
After 13 years of being in the cooler,
Kingibe decided to stage a come-back to politics.
I believe that the former Vice President-elect will not want to come down in his ambition. That is, all things being equal, Kingibe will want to go for the big one – the Presidency. But how far can he go in his ambition as many Nigerians now see him as Judas.
I strongly believe that Kingibe has a lot of image laundering to do, if he has to make impact on the Nigerian politics.
But the best bet for Kingibe is to forget about his political ambition and concentrate on his business because it is always good to leave when the ovation is loudest.
Ibrahim Bello,
Kaduna.

EFCC Beyond 2007
Many politicians these days believe that the fear of EFCC is the beginning of wisdom. I was watching a governorship aspirant on Kaakaki, the African Voice, on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and he admitted that the way EFCC is roving about the whole country makes embezzling public fund difficult.
But it baffles me that some governors whose names are on the list of corrupt governors, are vieing for the post of Presidency. Governors like Peter Odili, Orji Uzor Kalu and the Zamfara State governor, Alhaji Yerima readily come to mind. Now, assuming any one of them wins the presidential election, will they allow the commission to continue its operations?
Since the eyes of public office holders have all opened, if EFCC becomes moribund, the next republic will be embezzlment galore.
Nigerians will like to see an EFCC that will be more empowered, bold and financial viable to carry out its responsibility after President Olusegun Obasanjo must have left office.
There is no doubt that the commission has done so much to combat corruption in our land.
Even those public office holders who are currently enjoying immunity, but have been found to be corrup, should be prosecuted so that they can refund all the billions they have stashed away in foreign account.
Emmanuel Okpala,
Awka