20101219
This Day

Ilorin — Chairman, Board of Trustees of All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and presidential aspirant of the party in 2011 general elections, Chief Harry Akande, has called for overhauling of the two anti-graft agencies, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in order to address corruption in the country.

Akande who spoke with newsmen in Offa, Kwara State on the state of the nation, said it was disturbing that since the two anti-graft bodies came into existence, they have not been able to jail any corrupt official.

According to him, " It is disheartening that EFCC and ICPC were yet to live to the expectations of Nigerians in the war against corruption due to the lack of commitment being exhibited to utilise their zeal in the fight against corrupt practices in the country".

He said the development has portrayed the two anti-graft agencies as unserious because people have not felt their impact in tackling the menace of corruption in high places of the nation's economy .

" For example, one important personality was jailed for corruption recently and was asked to be jailed for just nine months to run concurrently and see now how such person will show remorse, knowing fully that she would be coming out in due course," he said.

He stressed that, if such person is jailed for a longer period of life , the corruption in the country will be highly reduced because such people will think twice before embarking on such corrupt practices and this will stimulate the nation's economy .

Akande alleged that, the determination of who involves in the act of corruption depends on his or her closeness to the power that be at the centre and if this continue, the nation may not likely achieve its desire in the quest to fight corruption through the EFCC and ICPC .

On his plan for the nation if allowed to rule the country come 2011, the Ibadan born politician said that, he was in the race to bring new lease of life to all Nigerians irrespective of their political, ethnic and geographical locations in the country.

He said that, it was disturbing that, in the past years when the ruling PDP was in power, the people of the country were still walloping in abject poverty while youths across the nation are not giving employment.

Akande stressed that, this social vices would be adequately addressed under the government of ANPP in 2011 if allowed to rule the country.

He however called on the people of the country to shun violence and be peaceful as the 2011 elections is draws nearer in order to sustain the nation's democracy .