Former acting governor of Kogi State, Honourable Abdullahi Bello has said there is no justification for elected public officers accused of gross abuse of public office.
He said they should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions and inactions while in the saddle, instead of trying to whip up undue sentiments to curry public favour.
In a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday, titled: Nigeria must work for all Nigerians, Bello said the perceived lack of diligence by anti-graft agencies in bringing the few individuals to justice, does not vitiate from the infractions caused by them while they occupied public offices.
He spoke against the tendency by some former governors and others accused of misappropriation of public fund to cite similar cases involving others who occupied public offices.
Bello, who is also a former speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, said it is absurd for politicians, who held sensitive positions in custody for the people and with the mandate to serve conscientiously, to resort to cheap blackmail and alibi when on the trail of anti-graft agencies for alleged corruption, while in office.
He opined that it was obvious that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had divorced politics from government policies, urging Nigerians to support the cause.
Bello warned that those who had fleeced the country of its common patrimony would not escape the judgment of God.
He stated: “That our institutions like the judiciary, police, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and others are not doing their job with diligence with regards to corruption that has pervaded our nation does not erase the wrongdoing of these our public actors like governors, and others, who knowingly caused infractions while in office.
“In my opinion, pointing to other people that have stolen, and asking why is my own case being pursued differently is not only funny but absurd and shows the absence of God’s fear in us.
“Nigeria must work in the right direction if we desire and cherish national stability with peace and progress.
“Finally, those who have stolen public money or cheated fellow citizens in whatever way may escape human justice but surely Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is not human.”
“I thank our current national leadership led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu who plays less politics over public policy.”
ALSO READ: Olubadan-designate, Oba Olakulehin, attends first religious function after nomination