Government Cannot Win Corruption Fight – Barr Clifford Thomas

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By UbongAbasi Ise

Even with intensive effort of the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government in a fight against corruption, Barr. Clifford Thomas says victory over corrupt practices in Nigeria is still beyond the reach of government.
Barr. Thomas, while speaking on the Citizens’ Roles in the Fight against Corruption at Comfort FM in Uyo yesterday, said it is only the masses, not the government, that can fight corruption successfully, explaining that government does not have its presence everywhere.
“Fight against corruption should not be a mantra or a framework for government. It should be one of the things government should do, not necessarily by coming out to say we are fighting corruption. Government cannot fight corruption successfully. It is only the citizen that can fight corruption. Citizens must take over: when the constitutional framework permits the citizens to have power to take over the fight against corruption, we would have better result than when government handles the anticorruption fight,” he said.
Speaking further, the human rights lawyer said the Nigerian Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related C and other anti-graft agencies cannot successfully fight corruption because, according to him, “corruption is so prevailing and pervading just like the current of the sea on the shore; it washes virtually everything you find on the shore.” 
Barr. Clifford Thomas said people must come to the consciousness that fight against corruption is the people’s fight, not governments.
Mr. Thomas later stressed that favoritism and nepotism are certain aspects of corruption that receives less attention in the country.
He said over the years the country has been promoting mediocrity by enthroning nepotism over merit system, a situation that does not only precludes intelligent citizens from having a shot at the public jobs but prevents the spread of appointments in the country.

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