‘Ex-president, Babangida made corruption attractive,’ Braithwaite says

monjola sotubo

February 3, 2016 12:51 PM

Braithwaite’s comments come after Obasanjo accused some governors of living like emperors at the expense of the masses.

Human rights activist, Dr Tunji Braithwaite has said that former president, Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida made corruption attractive to state governors in the country.

Braithwaite’s comments come after Obasanjo accused some governors of living like emperors at the expense of the masses.

“Obasanjo is not saying anything original because when he assumed office in 1999, I warned that the military constitution would make the governors emperors,” he said during an interview with Punch on Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

“Governors determine security votes which they do not account for. Since 1999, the military constitution clothes them (governors and president) with immunity against being arrested for criminal misdeeds. Many of them brazenly looted the treasury and got away with it. Obasanjo became rich through this structure.

“Something appears to be driving Obasanjo to be making frivolous statements everywhere. He and Babangida made corruption attractive to governors and they elevated corruption in governance which subsequent presidents and governors are emulating,” he added.

Obasanjo had also recently criticized the National Assembly for planning to buy 469 cars despite the economic troubles being faced by the country.

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