Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday said past Nigerian leaders who enriched themselves with the nation’s commonwealth acted in a shameful manner, Punch reports.
He said the kind of corruption the nation experienced in the recent past was the kind that would be considered as a crime against humanity in other parts of the world.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President spoke when he received a delegation of Remo Traditional Rulers and Chiefs led by the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Michael Sonariwo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Osinbajo therefore urged traditional rulers in the country to raise their voice against those who have stolen public funds and engaged in corruption.
He said, “As leaders, we must condemn corruption in the strongest terms. It is right that we condemn corruption in strong terms, more so that traditional rulers do not belong to any political party.
“The kind of corruption we experienced in the recent past is the kind that in any other part of the world it would be considered as a crime against humanity. What the leaders did in the past few years is very shameful.
“Corruption is such a terrible thing and I don’t think it is a matter of politics. I think its one thing everybody should be ashamed of, if you consider what the leaders of this country had done.”
He added that such corruption could completely cripple the nation.
The Vice-President said the current administration was fully committed to its anti-corruption crusade.
He said it was the desire of the Federal Government to ensure that everybody knows the consequences of corruption.
He said the government would hold those who have served to account for their stewsidship.
Osinbajo said the anti-corruption fight of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was hinged on transparency.
He said, “We are trying to put in place a system that ensures that there is consequence if you do wrong, so that the people you serve are not treated like animals. I think that one of the major problems that we have faced is just that the level of corruption is high.
“The fact is that when you look at what has happened, the truth is stranger than fiction. When you look at the facts and figures, it doesn’t make sense.”
Earlier in his remarks, had commended the government for its anti-corruption policies.
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