Kaduna, July 1, 2016 – The Independence Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged Nigerians to view the ongoing fight against corruption as a national war that must be supported to succeed.
The commission’s North-West Zonal Coordinator, Mr Olusegun Adigun, said on Friday in Kaduna.
Adigun spoke against the backdrop of Thursday’s Town Hall Meeting to foster citizen participation in the fight against corruption, organised by an Abuja-based Civil Society Organisation, Cleen Foundation.
He attributed the impediment to the fight against corruption to lack of will and commitment by Nigerians.
According to him, Nigerians have yet to see the fight against corruption as a national issue and that until it is seen as such, not much will be achieved.
“People are expected to report corrupt cases to the prosecuting agencies to investigate and bring corrupt persons to book, but we don’t get much from the public.
“They only report cases that affect them directly, but if it does not affect them, they turn a blind eye and keep mute.
“People don’t write petitions on corruption issues, they are not ready to volunteer information and are not ready to testify. How do we win the war with this kind of attitude?’’
Adigun also frowned at complaints by some Nigerians that the current administration’s fight against corruption was politically motivated and selective.
“The question we should be asking ourselves is, did the people facing trials for corrupt cases commit the crime they are being accused of?
“Corruption is corruption and it must be dealt with,’’ he added.
