Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has once again made a familiar call, this time, urging the National Assembly to pass the Whistleblower Bill into law. Speaking during the ICPC Roundtable Engagement with State Attorneys General in the North West on Monday in Kano, Aliyu passionately argued that the bill was crucial to the success of the nation’s fight against corruption. He emphasized that the law would provide a much-needed platform for those who have knowledge of corrupt activities but are too fearful to come forward. In his words, “Let me use this occasion to call on the National Assembly to pass the Whistleblower Bill into law so that those wishing to expose corrupt practices will have the confidence to do so.”
Aliyu’s plea comes at a time when corruption continues to thrive, especially in the public sector. From law enforcement to public utilities, bribery remains rampant, making the passage of this bill sound like an urgent lifeline in a sea of corruption.
Yet, let’s not get too carried away by the promises of a “united front.” As Aliyu pointed out, the ICPC, under Section 6 of its Act, is empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption across public service sectors. But as we’ve seen time and time again, the real issue lies in the lack of implementation and the political will to truly tackle the problem. “No country can thrive where corruption thrives,” he said, and while that sounds good, it also feels like the same line we’ve been hearing for decades, with little to show for it. Is this new to you Nigerians?
The one silver lining, if you can call it that, is that 70% of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 reportedly refused. The North West even managed a 76% refusal rate, which sounds promising, except for the fact that we’re still talking about a large portion of the population giving in to bribery. The question remains: what’s being done to address the remaining 24% who still succumb to the pressures of corruption? remember the saying that one bad apple, corrupts the rest!
Aliyu’s call for the National Assembly to pass the bill, as well as his acknowledgment of the role local knowledge plays in fighting corruption, might sound beautiful , but is it enough? Is more than just talk required? Corruption is that thing that has seeped into the bones of most Nigerians. Is an eradication possible?
