To check the worrisome corruption in the country, Nigerians have been urged to collectively demand for probity and accountability from their leaders.
The charge came yesterday from the Chairman, LEADERSHIP Newspaper Group, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah in a lecture he delivered at the second Katsina Dialogue for Change in Katsina.
Nda-Isaiah decried the secrecy in the conduct of government activities and lamented that corruption appears to be the abundant resources in Nigeria.
He said “corruption breeds subversion, suspicion and sabotage which can lead to a revolution.
“Government’s sheer unwillingness to tackle corruption is the biggest threat to the nation and this has spurned widespread insecurity,” stressing that it was time the people demand probity from their leaders.
Speaking on the topic: “Probity and Accountability in Public Service: Key to Sustainable Development In Nigeria,” Nda-Isaiah, who was represented by Divisional Director, Northern Region of LEADERSHIP Group, Alhassan Salisu Bichi, insisted that lack of accountability and probity was hampering the nation’s development.
“Governors have formed opposition to the local government autonomy in order to sustain their lack of probity and accountability,” he enthused, adding “Nigerians must insist that leaders render full account.”
While expressing optimism that vibrant youths would one day come to power and change things, he urged the youth to demand explanation, scrutinise government’s budget at all levels and comment on it.
According to him, “Nigerians are tired, fed up and frustrated. There is the need for hope which can be possible through sacrifice. We must stand up within the confines of the law to demand for accountability and probity.”
Earlier, the founder of Sustainable Development Initiative Katsina, organisers of the dialogue, Dr. Abubakar Kurfi, said the group wants probity and accountability from leaders hence the decision to hold the dialogue series.