Magu, impunity, and the nudity of Nigeria’s corruption

Two things about Nigeria’s politics are rather predictive. One, expect the incumbent president to be served queries about his health. Two, expect the senate to reject the confirmation of Magu as the chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). For many reasons known and unknown, the senate has rejected, and continues to do same, the confirmation of Magu on grounds of plausible and flimsy submissions. This has a direct impact on the anti-graft war of the Buhari-led administration with many citing the campaign as a pillory of some sort. Now this must annoy the presidency. The continued rejection throws more logical questions and submissions alike.

For instance, Magu has been proactive in recent times, handling various high profile cases like Dasukigate, and can be said to have the swagger to step on toes as in the case of Bukola Saraki, Alison Maduekwe, Patience Jonathan, Ayodele Fayose, Fani Kayode, Yakubu Andrew and so on just to mention a few. His uplomb can be seen in his will to fight corruption to a standstill. He possesses the requisite prowess to succeed in the office and match the records of Nuhu Ribadu. In fact, Magu has what it takes to even achieve greater feats that would be chalked with golden pen in the book of history. Little wonder as to why the senate continues to frustrate his confirmation.

Now, frankly speaking, even a child could easily fix this puzzle. You can’t arm a police man knowing fully well that you are a criminal who is most likely to taste the hostility of his bullets. The team of looters taking shelter at the House of Assembly fully knows and understands this for sure. The convictions that Magu would spare no bull in his raid melts their spinal cords, sends down a stream of sweat resulting from their quivers in reality and dreams, and generally strangle their collective thoughts to anticipate an end to the days of ‘business as usual’.

In order to restore sanity in the system, a key determinant of the enthronement of the current administration, such politics must not be allowed to thrive. The politics of shame and cowardice, of deceit and wickedness, of impunity and abuse of office must cede for the good of Nigeria at large. And if the anti-graft war is not a joke as shown by the persistence and will of the president and his vice, the senate has got to do what it ought to do. Period. Enough of all these ‘magumagu’ we are not finding it hilarious. Let Magu pilot the affairs of EFCC, for we know through his track records that he is fit for the task. But if stripping before the world in a tarantella of corruption is what the senate wants Nigeria to be renowned for, then they should keep frustrating his confirmation. Willy-nilly corruption has overstayed her never welcomed presence! Rahmat Abdullahi Lapai, Niger State. Enagi, IBBU,