Corrupt politicians are worse than Boko Haram, says Catholic Priest

Catholic Priest Reverend Father Gideon Obasogie, the spokesperson for the Catholic Church in the North-East, has expressed that corrupt politicians who diverted the arms funds were worse than Boko Haram insurgents. 

The spokesperson for the Catholic Church in the North-East Nigeria, says that corrupt politicians who diverted the arms funds are worse than Boko Haram insurgents because their actions has brought economic crisis and untold hardship to majority of the country's population.

Rev. Father Obasogie said the stolen funds could have been used in prosecuting the war against insurgency effectively.

He said corrupt politicians were worse than insurgents because they flagrantly betrayed public trust, leading to the loss of lives in the process.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, the Catholic priest commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war, describing it as a new page of development in the country’s history.

He, however, advised the President to put structures on the ground that would ensure the sustenance of the anti-corruption war.

He said, “The anti-corruption war is a new page of development in the history of Nigeria. It is unfortunate that the funds meant for the prosecution of the war against the Boko Haram sect were diverted by corrupt politicians, leading to the loss of innocent lives. These corrupt politicians are worse than the Boko Haram insurgents because they flagrantly betrayed public trust.

“While we pray that God grants the President the sense of direction to move Nigeria to the next level, it is of note that corruption will always fight back. While the war against corruption is commendable, efforts should be made by the President to ensure that this move is sustained.

“Apart from this, the anti-corruption war should not be limited to government officials alone. Nigerians must understand that they have a role to play by shunning corruption as it presents itself in every area of their lives.”