Bola Babarinde, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in South Africa, has called for the introduction of the death penalty for public officeholders found guilty of corruption in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Babarinde explained the need for capital punishment to restore accountability and integrity in the country.
He mentioned the ostentatious display of wealth by some public officeholders, suggesting that their assets should be subject to regular audits to ensure legitimacy.
Babarinde argued that many public servants cannot afford their luxurious lifestyles without engaging in corrupt practices.
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To build trust among citizens, the ex-APC Chairman proposed a mechanism to monitor and curb excessive displays of unexplained wealth among public servants.
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He said:
“Leadership by example is crucial. The substantial budgets allocated for renovations and SUVs, while public servants preach patience to the citizenry, reflect a disconnect between those in power and the public they serve.
“This disparity undermines public trust and calls for a re-evaluation of spending practices. Transparency in the salaries and allowances of public officeholders is needed.
“The current figures are excessive, and a reduction to 60 per cent of their present levels should be implemented, along with a formal apology to Nigerians for the misallocation of funds and pledge to fully optimise expenditure for national development
“Public officeholders and those with police escorts must adhere to traffic regulations. The prevalence of road rage and disregard for laws by those who can afford security details is troubling and needs to be addressed.”
He also stressed the need for Nigerians in the diaspora to be engaged in driving positive change, leveraging their valuable insights and solutions for national development.
