The level of corruption in Nigeria today, according to former military president General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), is so severe that it makes the military regimes of his time seem “saintly” in contrast.The comment was made by Babangida in a previous interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and it has now leaked online.The former military leader cited the firing of a military governor over N300,000 as an illustration of the standards that were in place during his administration when discussing how corruption was dealt with.In contrast to the billions of naira engaged in corruption allegations in the country now, Babangida claims that the amount was deemed severe enough at the time to lose the governor his job.
“We are not corrupt. I will proudly say it because what I read in the papers, if it is true, then I think I used to say we are saints,” Babangida said.
“I keep on giving an example. I sacked a governor for N300,000. Today, there are N300 billion, still not issued, not solved.”
His comments have resurfaced amid continuing public concerns over corruption, accountability and the management of public resources in Nigeria.
