Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, has called on Nigerians to ensure that the suffering caused by arrogant and abusive public officials is brought to an end.
Okutepa said abuse of power is widespread among those in authority, who treat citizens as though they do not matter and often fail to serve the public.
He said officials across the three arms of government boast of their power and believe they can act with impunity, even to the point of taking lives, because victims of wrongdoing have little hope of redress. According to him, those close to the corridors of power are just as bad.
The senior lawyer, in a post on his X handle on Thursday, criticised the conduct of officials on the roads, where convoys and aides are known to whip citizens out of the way.
“You weep for poor and impoverished Nigerians” when you see such scenes, he said.
Okutepa also accused some officials of installing their own kind in charge of the justice system and then using the same institutions, meant to provide remedies for the injured, to pervert justice.
He said such officials breach the constitution and disrespect the courts, yet run to those same courts for orders, which are often granted.
“We have a lot on our hands,” he said, adding that those behind such conduct are ready to destroy the country for selfish interests.
He urged Nigerians to insist that any public office holder who abuses their position, in the executive, legislature or judiciary, must resign and face the consequences.
He also called for institutions to be headed by the best Nigerians, not people whose only qualification is the capacity to do harm.
Okutepa said Nigerians cannot continue to live in poverty amid abundant resources.
He called on citizens to reject those who subvert democratic processes to impose themselves, and to stop celebrating those who breach the law or steal ballots in elections.
“We have a duty to insist on the right governance in Nigeria,” he said, noting that this is necessary for citizens to enjoy a good life.
