Fight Against Graft Must Be Transparent to Succeed, Ex-Anambra Governor, Obi, Says

•Explains why he’s supporting ADC in Saturday’s bye-election in his state

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has said the only way the fight against corruption could succeed in Nigeria was only where there was diligent investigations and non-partisan prosecution.

According to a statement by Obi, ‘’The arrest and interrogation of the former Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has opened up an existing contradiction apparent in the fight against corruption in the country.

‘’I have always reiterated that the sincerity of leaders is what is needed to tackle corruption in our society.

‘’And I look forward to the time when the anti-corruption fight in this country will be under one law that applies to all, no matter who is involved, and not one targeting political opponents and perceived enemies of the incumbent government.

‘’I expect the anti-graft operatives to be guided by their conscience and the rule of law ifthey hope to achieve much in wiping out corruption in our society.

‘’The rules of evidence and fact must replace impressions and preconceptions. In a credible fight against corruption, the public must be convinced that the rules are even and the subjects are not arbitrarily selected by the political convenience of the powers that be. A corruption free Nigeria is possible only if our fight is transparent,’’ Obi said.

Meanwhile, the Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR, has given clarification on why the Labour Party leader has thrown his weight behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC)candidate in Saturday’s Anambra State Assembly Bye Election.

A statement by his spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, stated that, ‘’The clarification became necessary following the mix-up in the public space over Obi’s choice ahead of the Labour Party.

‘’Firstly, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has not been able to sort out Labour Party issues in this election. As at the time of issuing this statement, LP has no candidate in Saturday’s bye-election slated all over the country.

‘’And secondly, the ADC candidate is the wife of the late Labour Party state Assembly member Hon. Justice Azuka, who died in the hands of kidnappers in February this year.

‘’The leadership of both ADC and LP, as well as the Labour Party Senator and House of Representatives member Tony Nwoye and Afam Ogene, respectively, on compassionate grounds, deemed it fit that the capable wife should go ahead to complete the tenure of her husband.

‘’Where issues of candidates are not in dispute, Obi always supports Labour Party flag bearers, as in the November gubernatorial poll, where our Principal’s candidate is indisputably Chief George Moghalu of the Labour Party.

‘’By this clarification, it lays to rest the confusion in the minds of the public, as the situation has not in any way changed Obi’s leadership of the Labour Party and his membership of the Coalition.

‘’We, therefore, need to underscore the fact that Obi’s mission for a new Nigeria is course and Possible,” Umar said.