Although acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to govern the affairs of a complex country like Nigeria in the absence of ailing President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), some analysts believe the acting president may not be able to wield the final stick against corruption in high public places (like the suspension of the SGF over allegations of corruption). To you, will PMB’s absence stall the ongoing war against official corruption in Nigeria or not?
ABIMBOLA AKOSILE
* No, it won’t; Prof. Osinbajo is doing great. He is dynamic, honest, patriotic, uniting, complementary, enigmatic e.t.c. His intervening in Niger Delta’s complex tensions, Boko Haram and Chibok Girls delightful release, the economy, justice e.t.c. all stand him out. As a SAN he will cage corruption without fear or favour. PMB and Nigerians should rely on Osinbajo now.
– Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos
* No, once the agencies in charge are competent and up and doing without any compromise from any quarter. Result will emerge; no standstill anymore.
– Mr. Yusuph M.B.O, Nda Aliu, Kwara State
* We need institutions to fight the war, not one individual. The depth of our corruption covers all strata of our society. The war on corruption should not be stalled because the President is absent or because the VP is Acting President, the war shouldn’t be about any individual…it should be an institutional thing… regardless of who is in power, we have a system in place that deters and punishes corruption.
– Mr. Biodun Aiyegbusi, Engineer, Lagos State
* The only anti-corruption war that is being fought in Nigeria is fought in the news and social media, noise. If there is an ongoing anti-corruption war by the PMB administration why has nobody been prosecuted and jailed in two years of the administration? So the issue of the Acting President continuing a non-existent anti-graft war does not arise.
– Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
* Not in any way.
– Miss Janet Adeyemi, Calabar, Cross River State
* Obviously, I believe it’s about demonstrating powers based on specified rules and laws that guide the anti-graft agencies; and the willpower to effect the action. Therefore, I believe the absence of President can’t stall the war against graft since he had transferred power to his vice to function on his behalf.
– Mr. Acha Moses, Lagos State
* He acted earlier; Niger Delta, Fulani herdsmen, stopped blowing of pipelines and killing of innocent law-abiding citizens. He should summon the political will to stamp out corruption. Special tribunals should be set up to try established cases by the EFCC of former top government officials, governors, ministers, e.t.c. who looted the treasury. Our laws are outmoded and need review. I hope the security agencies and the judiciary will give him the needed cooperation to stamp out corruption.
– Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna
* The absence of the President should not stop the fight against corruption and the Acting President can do much more if given a free hand.
 – Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State
* His absence will never stall the anti-corruption war. Those who fight the war are there, and as far as the acting President is concerned, greater success would be recorded. All that is left is to give him our total support to succeed. Our heads of security agencies should work in unity as success in the fight depends on them. PMB’s absence will never stall the anti-corruption war.
– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna
* The acting President must follow the policies of PMB in fighting corruption in governance that put Nigeria into standstill. After all, he can put smiles on the faces of Nigerians with his pedigree as a professor. We must support him to take Nigeria out of recession. After all, he did well when his principal was not around. With Prof. Osinbajo as acting President, things will be okay.
– Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State
* I don’t believe PMB’s absence from the country will stall the anti-corruption war, if it’s truly a cardinal policy of the governing APC. PMB exhibited implicit trust in Osinbajo by naming him to head the panel investigating the SGF, for instance. The acting President simply needs to go on with the programme of his party.
– Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Apo, Abuja
* No, PMB’s absence is an opportunity for the able SAN to prove his dedication, commitment and loyalty to his God, Christians, colleagues, the downtrodden, relations, international communities, PMB, Nigerians e.t.c. to spur him to do his best especially in the area of corruption fight.. Osinbajo will prosecute anybody subverting the law, using the Constitution no matter whose ox is gored. God is hearing Nigerians’ fervent prayers to heal our president speedily.
– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State
* No, PMB’s absence will not stall the anti-corruption war. The Vice-President now the Acting President, is on the same page with his boss over the enemy called corruption. Before he was elected as the VP, he had hatred for corruption and as a lecturer he never allowed his law students to cut corners to pass. As a pastor, knowing God’s dislike for corruption, Osinbajo will rather step up the fight. The acting President will do good in the fight against corruption.
– Apostle Sampson Chuks, International Coordinator, All Power for All Nations Gospel Outreach Ministries Inc, Ghana/Nigeria
* Given his impressive precedents as former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, it is expected that acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will take the corruption fight to those corrupt elements in public office, even more than PMB may want to do. So, in a strict sense of the word, PMB’s absence will not stall the anti-corruption war in Nigeria.
– Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State
* On the contrary, the fight against corruption will take a turn for the better under Osinbajo if his first stint as acting President is anything to go by. Under Buhari, we have had zero jail term for high-profile corruption cases. On the other hand, during the brief period Osinbajo was acting President, a former Governor was sentenced to five years. I think people with corruption cases will not be comfortable at all with Osinbajo at the helm of affairs. Plea bargaining is still the most effective tool in recovery of loot because cases are wrapped up as soon as a deal is reached so the money can be immediately utilised.
– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State
THE FEEDBACK
Yes, it will stall: 0
No, it will not: 10
Others: 5
Total no of respondents: 15
Male: 12
Female: 3
Highest location: Lagos (6)
Next Week: Is the N7.4tr 2017 Budget Truly People-friendly?
The National Assembly has passed the proposed N7.441 trillion budget for 2017, which is higher than the N6 trillion budget for 2016. In 2016, despite the highest budget ever passed in history of Nigeria, most citizens did not derive any particular benefits of improved power supply, access to water, housing, education, health and transportation. Now, the 2017 budget has been described as a people-friendly budget which is capable of helping Nigeria out of recession. In your own view, is this latest budget truly people-friendly, and will it ensure the overall development sought by the general populace?
Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (May 18 & Monday, May 22) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, May 25
