Ola Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has criticized Nigerians for condemning corruption while simultaneously rallying behind corrupt leaders when they face prosecution.
Olukoyede made this remark on Friday in Abuja when officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), led by Chris Olukolade, director of its board of trustees, visited him.
According to the EFCC boss, Nigeria’s underdevelopment is deeply rooted in corruption, and the country can only progress if citizens collectively see corruption as a common enemy.
“One of the major problems in Nigeria, which when tackled, will make underdevelopment a thing of the past, is corruption and financial crimes,” Olukoyede said.
He stressed that moving the nation forward is not solely the government’s responsibility but also that of its citizens.
He urged Nigerians to commit to integrity and support the anti-corruption fight, noting that the EFCC is determined to uphold the law within its constitutional powers.
The EFCC chair also announced plans for collaboration with the CCC to enhance strategic communication and public engagement.
He emphasized that public support is crucial to the agency’s success in tackling corruption.
However, Olukoyede lamented the contradiction in Nigerians’ attitudes towards corruption. “It is so unfortunate that the same people who approbate also reprobate at the same time.
“Everybody is crying that Nigerians are corrupt, that the system is corrupt, that corruption is killing us and destroying our system. But when we investigate high-profile cases and arraign people in court, the same people will carry placards and support corrupt leaders”, he said.
He warned that such contradictory behaviour undermines the fight against corruption, stressing that tackling financial crimes requires a collaborative national effort.
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