Dogara: We can only deal with corruption by attacking its roots

Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, says corruption can only be dealt with by attacking its roots.

Speaking on Monday at the book launch ‘Antidote for Corruption: The Nigerian Story’, a book authored by Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, Dogara said those celebrating high-profile prosecution and detention have missed the point because “that is dealing with the symptoms of corruption”.

He said fighting corruption was not enough, but replacing the old order in which made it thrive.

He also said for the war against corruption to succeed, there must be institutional reforms that would make it near impossible for people to engage in corrupt acts.

“As a country, we ran into a situation where corruption was becoming the norm, there was this moral cult that we had created that celebrated corruption,” he said.

“The motivation was always there for corruption, but now what is important is not just fighting the old corrupt system. Really, if we must make progress, our focus should be to replace the old order that was corrupt with a new order that makes corruption near impossible to take place.

“So, when those who celebrate the successes of the fight against corruption in terms of the high-profile investigation, high-profile prosecution and even detention, they are missing the point because that is dealing with the symptoms of corruption. That is punishing corruption. But how are we developing remedies that we can apply to ensure that the tree dies?

“Recently, in the labour community, we went for May Day and some of us were nearly held hostage. You can’t blame the workers. While they were agitating for their rights, agitating for minimum wage, some of us are talking about living wage. You see, the workers control, perhaps, about 96 percent of the budget. In the national assembly, we have about 92 percent, judiciary and the rest.

“So, if you don’t make the environment conducive for those who administer this money not to want to be corrupt, you will end up jailing people.”

He further described Melaye as “highly opinionated” and “often pugnacious.”