Corruption and insecurity in Nigeria
By ABAH MICHAEL
THE concepts of corruption and insecurity work hand in hand. While I must say that insecurity is an unwanted by-product of corruption, corruption in my lay man’s definition could be seen as every unethical conduct committed by people at various levels of responsibility which in a nutshell can be public or private.
Corruption is born out of man’s desire to acquire and equip himself in order to maintain an unnecessary standard. For instance in the Nigerian context, it is generally believed that once one has grown to a certain level, he should continue to maintain or even go above such level. In these cases those who are given responsibilities at various levels try as much to clinch and maintain that standard.
The result is always very devastating as those under the ladder are left to feel the impact of such action which eventually make them feel unsecured.
However, the concept of insecurity has become very important to talk about as the menace which emanates as a result of corrupt practices at all levels of our society, has become more worrisome and infact worse since the inception of the present democratic regime. No doubt insecurity has caused the state of political instability which is as a result of corruption by all players at various levels of governance.
All the social vices like armed robbery, illegal oil bunkering, drug pushing and prostitution., trans-border smuggling activities, political crisis and instability which has led to so many assassinations of Nigerians are all as a result of share greed by our elite.
Our leaders both at present and in the past have continued to manipulate and marginalise the entire citizens in the country. For example, the people in the Niger Delta region have for long asked and agitated for a better attention in the provision of important amenities such as adequate medical facilities, good and accessible road network, electricity and other necessary facilities needed to gain the comfort of life. All these are normal facilities which ordinarily should be provided for a region largely responsible for providing the country’s main revenue through crude oil and other natural resources. But the request has continually fell on deaf ears of those at the helm of government affairs.
The 1bo on the order hand have been crying of marginalisation in the sharing of resources and representation in governance. Perhaps, as this is not considered as a serious factor by the elite, up till this time, the same game of marginalized imbalance politics has continued to rob them of their chances and opportunities.
The Middle Belt is also not left out of the desire to have a better share also. During the Nigeria civil war from 1966 till the end of that war, it was believed that majority of the federation fighting forces were recruited from the states in the Middle Belt comprising of the old Benue Plateau, Kwara and Kaduna. These states have for long been denied access as most of the tribes are considered as minority by the ruling majority class. The truth remains that very few elite class continue to rotate the seat of presidency within themselves and their friends. However, the result of all these is the misuse of the country’s resources which is seen by the elite as their birthright.
Therefore, since the society at large cannot but must survive, the way out is to device a means of getting back at the corrupt and greedy so-called elite who have caused many to live like refugees in the country. This situation is particular to the South-South and South-East parts of the country.
For long, Nigerians have had to contend with the menace of corruption which is responsible for the country’s present predicament. It is believed that the current fight against this deadly bug is not yielding much results as the fight is only targeted at innocent citizens who are seen as political rivals of those presently in charge. The fact therefore remains that since corruption is responsible for all the above mentioned threats to our nascent democracy and the negative effect has led to insecurity at all levels, what should Nigerians do to ensure an equitable distribution of the country large resources.
Unemployment which is the greatest threat to the survival of the economy is not adequately addressed and those who are been used by agents of distraction are the youths. If for one, the issue of insecurity which is a product of corruption must be tackled, the whole machinery of governance must adopt a sincere approach aimed at addressing the menace of corruption. I believe it is only then that we can at least think of a better and secure society as far as Nigeria is concerned.
Presently, the country will be faced in the next few months with the task of selecting a credible candidate to head the nation.
A lot of politicians who have not had a fair share in the present administration will do all it takes to get back at the government, hence the importation of small arms into the country through neighbouring countries. The implication of this is that when those guns get into the wrong hands, you can better imagine what the result will be.
There will be more political crisis than we have witnessed before. Furthermore, there will be rigging in favour of those who want power by all means, especially those seen as strong Godsons or those with the blessing of the present dispensation, because, it has been created in their mind that either you belong to the elite class to survive or remain a pauper and wallow in poverty and hunger. Therefore, it is certain that except the whole idea of marginalisation and manipulation in order to cheat is cast out of the political system, we may likely witness more cases of insecurity as a result of corrupt practices in the next general election.
The concept of insecurity emanated from corruption and since both concepts have become a household name in the political terrain of the country, the only way to curb it is to adopt a better leadership capable of transforming the economy that will provide an avenue to engage all who have become a menace in whatever way to the society. The idea of imposition of presidential candidates will worsen the current state of insecurity in the near future.
We must do all it takes to ensure a country free from corruption in order to be registered among safer and secured countries in the world.

MICHAEL, an intern with Sunday Triumph can be reached on mikeabahoo@yahoo.com.