'An old saying goes that fish starts to rot from the head. If the head is rotten, there is nothing left for the body'. These were the words of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo at the presentation of an autobiography of Justice Mustapha Akanbi, pioneer Chairman of Nigeria's anti graft agency, ICPC.
Obasanjo criticised the administration of President Jonathan for failing to address the rampant corruption and unemployment in the country noting that 'the often quoted GDP growth neither reflects on the living conditions of most of our people nor on most of the indigenous industries'.
The legislature was not left out as the former President accused lawmakers of collecting bribes to cover up wrongs done by the executive, thereby failing in their oversight responsibility. He also accused members of the National Assembly extorting money from departments, contractors and ministries.
Chief Obasanjo also advised the government to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency more effectively by using less force and concentrating on education in the northern part of the country. He stated that 'If we continue to apply force alone, the insurgency may be suppressed for a while but it will not be eliminated'.
Reacting to the allegations of corruption and poor handling of insurgency, the Special Adviser on Media to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati said in an interview that there can't be real development without peace and that is the reason why the government is giving priority to ensure peace and stability in the North East.
Abati also pointed out that the Jonathan-led administration has embarked on a lot of projects in the north, but the insurgents have sabotaged the process because they don't want development.
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