Anti-Corruption: NLC, TUC Stage Rallies Against Capital Punishment For Corrupt Officials

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, September 10th, 2015

By Funmilayo Omidiji/Mustapha Abdul Salaam/Niyi Adeyi – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has made good its resolve to forge ahead with its advocacy for capital punishment against the convicted corrupt officials, as its States’ branches Thursday staged anti-corruption rallies across the country.

While addressing the State’s Labour movement at the Government Secretariat arcade, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, recommended in place of capital punishment as being pushed by the NLC and its counterpart, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that convicted corrupt public officials should be sent to life jail.

The Labour Movement, comprising the NLC and TUC (State branches) rally was in response to their National bodies’ support and drive to promote good governance as well as in support of the ethical and excellent practices/performance by the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and in public service.

In Kano, North Western Nigeria, the State’s NLC staged its anti-corruption rally in the Kano city, calling for capital punishment for convicted corrupt public officials.

The rally kicked off early Thursday at the State’s NLC secretariat on Airport Road. The protest progressed to the zonal offices of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) where they also spoke against corruption in public offices. The rally which was led by the State’s NLC Chairperson, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir ended at the Federal Secretariat, in Kano.

Meanwhile, due to their- NLC and TUC advocacy yesterday, on capital punishment for the corrupt officials, a Non-Governmental Organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to be careful and weigh the call very carefully against the backdrop of attempts by enemies of progress to blackmail him.

Although, MURIC commended the two bodies for drumming support for the anti-corruption war in Nigeria, still said it threw “in a caveat”, hence, cautioned “A Jerry Rawlings treatment for looters can only be possible under military rule but the latter has become an anachronism in modern day Africa”.

It added “Getting Nigerian legislators who are already neck-deep in corruption to change the books in favour of capital punishment for treasury looters is a tall dream”.

The group in a statement issued Thursday in Lagos by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, reminded President Buhari that only (Tuesday this week), the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors labeled him a dictator and alleged that Nigeria was sliding into a dictatorship.

Professor Akintola noted that although, discerning Nigerians knew better, still, the gullible majority were easily deceived by sugar-coated rhetoric, therefore, Buhari must avoid this trap.

“What became of the attempt by the Buhari-Idiagbon duo to wipe out the drug business in the 80s? Who was there to defend the ascetic Buhari when the chips were down? Some mean critics still use the incident to spite Mr. President up till today. Buhari must therefore look before he leaps” MURIC maintained.

However, the organization sent a strong solidarity message to the trade unions as they embark on the mass rally in Abuja today, adding that it was obvious they meant well for Nigeria, pledging that the MURIC members were directed to “join the rally in the spirit of camaraderie”.

It also called on Nigerians from all walks of life to rise up in support of the Federal Government (FG) as it counters the evil forces of corruption.