Abuja: The Labour Party presidential candidate, Dr Chibuzor Okereke, has called for an integrated approach to fighting corruption in the country. Okereke made the call while featuring on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series on Sunday in Abuja. He said that an anti-corruption mechanism should be put in place for early identification and uprooting of the menace if the country must move forward.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Okereke emphasized that while laws should be enforced against those found guilty of corrupt acts, measures must also be implemented at family and community levels to curb corrupt tendencies. He highlighted the importance of addressing root causes, starting from family values, before progressing to national values and ethical principles. Okereke noted that although anti-corruption agencies have made efforts, they require stronger political will and improved conditions of service to enhance their effectiveness.
Okereke shared his past experience as a student union president, where he contributed to establishing an anti-corruption vanguard at his university. He explained that the initiative aimed to encourage people to act rightly rather than out of fear. Okereke argued that foundational issues in educational institutions eventually reflect in the larger society, advocating for an integrated programme to combat corruption if elected into office.
The presidential candidate also underscored the importance of handling recovered looted funds transparently, suggesting they be utilized for significant projects. He proposed decentralizing project implementation and supervision to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation, thereby reducing corruption. Okereke expressed a preference for addressing the root causes of corruption rather than solely focusing on punitive measures.
Additionally, Okereke lamented the detachment between the people and government activities, describing the situation as ‘state exit.’ He urged for a reconnection with the populace to foster a sense of partnership and accountability. Okereke emphasized the need to promote social security, a merit-based society, and social justice to restore citizens’ belief in the government’s care for them.