Why Rich Nigerians Need To Explain Source Of Their Wealth – Senator Ali Ndume

The Nigerian Senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has backed the call for wealthy Nigerians to explain their source of their wealth to the government.

According to Ndume, the call has become necessary in order to strengthen the fight against corruption and curb the issue of unexplained wealth in the country.

Speaking at University of Ibadan 2021 Distinguished Leadership Lecture on Saturday, Ndume who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army stated that the fight against corruption must be a holistic one and not a one-off fight that targets opposition members and perceived enemies of the government.

He added that in order to curb corruption in the country, the corruption fight must start from the politicians and civil servants who are in trust of public wealth.

He, however, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently sign an executive order on unexplained wealth in order to curb corruption.

He said, “One should not be mistaken on how good it is to have riches, but toxic riches should be abhorred because it pollutes the society. It changes our good culture, it breeds injustice and impunity. Every citizen has a role to play.

“Our crusade against this monster should start from politicians, top public servants, civil servants down to the local government staff.

“For the perpetrators, it is not difficult to identify the tendencies exhibited by the officers, acquiring landed property in and outside the country, having fat bank deposits, buying expensive cars, or marrying so many wives.”

Ndume also asked Buhari to appeal to the National Assembly to pass the Proceeds of Crime Bill in time, urging the government to go a step further to protect the whistleblowers.

He said that the whistleblower policy must be revisited; stressing motivation for whistleblowers shouldn’t just be the reward, but patriotism.

“Our whistleblower policy which had stillbirth before it became law must be revisited. The motivation should not just be the reward, but patriotism,” he said.