A former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari Muhammadu’s response to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron’s description of Nigeria as a “fantastically corrupt” nation.
Mr. Odinkalu told PREMIUM TIMES that while he had no problem with the president’s comment that an apology from Mr. Cameron was unnecessary, the president ought not to have agreed with Mr. Cameron that indeed Nigeria was corrupt.
“People can reach their own conclusions. Mr. Cameron can say things like he said. I personally like the president’s initial response about not needing apology,” Mr. Odinkalu said. “I think it is wrong for the president to say he agrees Nigeria is fantastically corrupt. I find that ‘fantastical’ myself!”
Kolawole Banwo, senior programme officer of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, said Nigeria’s president must never forget the task of protecting the country’s image.
“The Nigerian leader goes with the Nigerian people and should manage information as much as possible.
“It is okay to be passionate about the fight against corruption, but you must also know that you carry 170 million individuals along with you, so Nigerian leaders should be careful.
“We already know that the past government was corrupt, that’s why we voted them out and there are loads of issues to be tackled, so they should focus on the issues of governance, rather than repeating what Nigerians already know,” Mr. Banwo said.
But a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Samuel Ologunorisa, described Mr. Cameron’s remarks as a demonstration of “arrogance”.
“Considering the relationship between Nigeria and British, it was arrogance on the part of Cameron to have made that kind of comment,” said Mr. Ologunorisa.
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla, however said the comment, as well as Mr. Buhari’s response were in order.
“The truth is that Nigeria is corrupt; why are we calling for an apology? Cameron has expressed his opinion and if you feel he is not correct, prove him wrong.
“You can’t even sue him for libel because at the end, will you be able to justify that Nigeria is not corrupt?” he stated.
Credit: Premium Times
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