By Victor AhiumaYoung

President Bola Tinubu has been called upon to give the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other anti-graft agencies the necessary powers and support to prosecute former governors, ministers and other public officials suspected of corruption and abuse of office.

Nigerians for Better Nigeria, NBN, which made the call in a statement, argued that it does not make sense for those who looted the nation’s economy dry to be enjoying their loot in freedom while the country is going everywhere searching for money to address pressing national issues.

The group insisted that the country does not need to borrow a dime if President Tinubu could develop the political will to fight corruption and recover looted funds starched abroad and at home.

In a statement by its National Secretary, Abdulmumin Sanusi, NBN said “We are concerned that the Federal Government is looking for money everywhere and increasing the burden of the citizens and businesses through tariffs, taxes, levies and so on to run the government.

“Available information locally and internationally shows that former governors, ministers, heads of parastatals and other top government officials looted the nation’s economy blind when they were in office. Their loots are warehoused in different banks outside and in country.

“We call on President Bola Tinubu to give EFCC and other anti-graft agencies the sweeping powers and support needed to go after these former governors, Ministers, heads of parastatals and top public officials who corruptly enriched themselves and left the nation in tatters.

“Their looted funds starched in foreign and local banks should be recovered to run government instead of the government overburdening the citizens and businesses with unjustifiable tariffs, taxes, levies and so on. The government should probe these former public office holders and recover the stolen public funds. These funds if recovered, are enough to return the country to a sound financial footing.

“Why innocent Nigerians should be suffering from the sins of the nation’s past leaders who are left to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth in freedom to the detriment of the country. The more the government allows these people to enjoy their loot without molestation, the more it is believed that the government is encouraging corruption. We advise the President to develop the political will to fight corruption convincingly.”