Jonathan made corruption attractive, says Niyi Osundare

Renowned poet, Prof. Niyi Osundare, on Sunday berated the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, saying the President gave “corruption a well furnished chair in his dining room.”He spoke during the annual Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, Alumni Association, in Lagos.

Osundare, who spoke on the topic, “No more business as usual: Nigeria’s new-found change and the lessons from the past,” described the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government as a nightmare to the nation.

He said if the PDP had won the March 28 presidential election, the country would have headed for “the purgatory of desolation.”

The poet carpeted the outgoing administration for promoting impunity and weakening the economy.

He said it was unfortunate that a former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, who was indicted for the N255m bulletproof car scandal could be elected as a senator.

According to him, the outgoing government made evil deeds attractive by not punishing government officials indicted for corruption.

He said, “We have a President who saw no difference between right or wrong. Here is a President who saw no difference between stealing and corruption. The PDP offered transformation without change, motion without movement. The President made evil deed attractive. People commit crimes and get away with it. As long as you belong to the President’s party or you know his wife, you are safe. A criminal runs to Aso Rock for being called a thief and the President shuts the gate and say, be not afraid.”

Osundare urged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to deliver on his campaign promises.

He said the US President, Barack Obama, refused to visit Nigeria because the country was not leading by example.

The poet also urged Nigerians to hold the new government accountable, warning that if the APC failed to perform, Nigerians should vote the party out.

“Rather than be the giant of Africa, Nigeria has become a gigantic embarrassment,” he said.

Advising the Buhari government, he said, “We demand drastic reduction in the remuneration of public officials. Government should no longer be a ‘chop chop bonanza.’ This outrageous expenditure of the government is destroying the economy and depleting our moral capital.

“We must break the jinx of erratic electricity. Let us try a knowledge-driven economy. The new government should surround itself with people who are not afraid to ask questions. If leaders steal less and think more, there will be change.”

Dignitaries at the occasion include a former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Prof. Itse Sagay, and Femi Falana.