Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has called for political corruption to be treated with the same seriousness and penalties as financial crimes, arguing that it severely undermines democracy and good governance. He made the call during a lecture titled Has Democracy Led to Good Governance in Nigeria? at the Midwest Achievers Awards in Benin City, Edo State.
Ozekhome, who was honored with the Defender of Democracy award at the event, expressed concern over the unchecked impunity of Nigeria’s political elite. He accused them of manipulating the system to their advantage, contributing to the erosion of public trust in leadership.
He stated, “Political corruption should be aggressively tackled with the same seriousness and penalties as financial crimes. Too often, it is overlooked because those involved wield significant power.”
Citing Nigeria’s history of electoral malpractice, Ozekhome noted that the nation’s elections have been marred by manipulation and voter exploitation. He called for stronger post-election adjudication processes that not only determine the winners but also impose penalties such as imprisonment and fines on politicians and their agents who violate electoral laws.
He emphasized, “Free and fair elections are the foundation of legitimacy, transparency, and accountability. They must be safeguarded to ensure leaders remain accountable to the people.”
The event’s Director of Organisation, Owen Omo-Ojo, highlighted that the Midwest Achievers Awards aims to honor individuals who have demonstrated excellence, resilience, and ethical leadership while inspiring positive change in their communities.
