Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concerns over the continued impunity in government at all levels. He said that Nigeria must be sanitized with right leadership and governance mechanisms.
He also declared that those who have tried to run the country aground with impunity would be judged by God.
Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when the President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Isma’la Zakari, paid him a courtesy visit.
Zakari, who had come for the investiture of Deacon Atilade Bolarinwa as the 15th Chairman of ICAN, Abeokuta District, had disclosed that the institute would publish its first accountability index report in September.
According to the former president, Nigeria cannot continue with impunity and think all would be well with the citizenry.
Obasanjo also stressed the need for strong institutions to enhance the country’s development.
He pointed out that emphasis must always be paid on leadership, governance, development, value and culture.
He said: “We don’t even look at ourselves and that is the unfortunate thing. We should look at ourselves and say yes, where did we go wrong, and have the humility to say wherever we have gone wrong, we are ready to make amends.
“We go on with impunity upon impunity as if we have created ourselves and we have created the country. My prayer is that those who try to run this country aground with impunity, we leave them in the hands of God and God in His infinite mercies knows what to do.
“We cannot go on with impunity and think that it will all be well. So, your idea about accountability index must be welcome by all men and women of goodwill in this country.”
On the accountability index, Obasanjo commended ICAN for the initiative, but warned that it must be carried out conscientiously and neutrally to attain acceptance internationally.
“If you can do it, it will serve a very useful purpose. But I must also warn you: if you are succeeding in that, if you will do it conscientiously, neutrally and it will have the acceptance internationally, you will incur the displeasure of the authorities in Nigeria because you will step on toes and once you start stepping on toes, you know what that means,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Zakari said the accountability index was launched last year as part of ICAN’s efforts to encourage accountability in governance in the three tiers of government.
He said it was also aimed at improving the quality of governance and compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 as well as tackling corruption by engaging professionals in public sector.
He added that it would fast-track the implementation of the international public sector accounting standards in government and ensure timely completion of public sector budgets and public sector audited financial statements.
According to him, the accountability index is a relevant, innovative and timely contribution to accountability in public finance management and good governance practices in the country.
Zakari, who stated that the first accountability index report would be published in September, said it would be widely publicized across the country.
He said: “The ICAN Accountability Index is the first of its kind mechanism for assessing public finance management and public governance practices in the three tiers of the Nigerian public sector, including federal, states and local governments.
“The Institute is very proud of its role in the development of this index, which we believe is relevant, innovative and timely contribution to accountability in public finance management and good governance practices in Nigeria.
“The index and structure will be widely publicised across the country, across the three tiers of government and to Nigeria citizens. The first ICAN Accountability Index report is expected to come out in September 2018.”