PEOPLES GAZETTE
In the past eight years (May 2015 to May 2023) a vast majority of Nigerians lost hope and faith in the Nigerian project, giving the deep damage done to the psyche of citizens, the economy, national unity and the practice of democracy in our country.
A lot of people were sceptical about the direction the nation was headed, given the deep social wounds and the devastation done on every fabric of our nationhood.
Within those years, we witnessed a country where serving in government or belonging to the ruling party conferred immunity on individuals. This resulted in unimaginable impunities and the wanton desecration of national values, wealth, and resources. Those in opposition were humiliated, degraded, and persecuted with the massive might of the state.
However, in the last seven months, under the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there is renewed confidence in the Nigerian project, especially in observing best democratic practices. This government definitely appears to have regard for the liberty and freedom of individuals as well as for transparency and accountability.
The most reassuring step is the genuine, determined and uncompromising fight against corruption and financial crimes in the country, different and distinct from a fight targeted at opposition figures whilst protecting and sparing those on the corridors of power.
Today, we see serving ministers and people who are holding top offices being removed from office and investigated for prosecution over corruption and financial crimes.
In the past, the fight against corruption was merely a political cum campaign tool fueled with massive media trials and only targeted at diminishing opposition shinning talents. The fight against corruption is now distinctive to persons who have questions to answer and not a tool for persecution.
More importantly, there is no more demarketing of Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation by those who tagged our hardworking youth as lazy and tarred innocent and resourceful Nigerians on the international arena with the brush of corruption.
