Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to focus on prosecuting political office holders for abuse of office rather than fraud, stating this approach would yield more convictions.

Speaking to journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Showunmi argued that abuse of office charges are easier to prove in court and would serve as a deterrent to future leaders.

"Instead of EFCC to carry them for fraud and all of that, I prefer EFCC takes them in for abuse of office. Abuse of office is easier to prove, so if you pack them in dozens like sardines and throw them in prison for ten years, I'm not sure the next set of leaders would not be coming there to do the same," Showunmi stated.

Lack of Consequences Fueling Corruption

The PDP chieftain lamented that Nigeria's political landscape suffers from a culture where leaders don't face appropriate consequences for their actions. He emphasized that this lack of accountability is why the country needs multiple anti-corruption agencies.

"The reason why we are needing so many laws, rules – why we need EFCC, still need ICPC, Nigerian Police – all these things is just simply because our people don't have the culture of doing the right thing. And the reason why the culture of not doing the right thing is pervasive is because they don't see the consequence," he explained.

Showunmi drew comparisons with other countries where corruption carries severe penalties, noting that in places like China, government officials cannot flaunt wealth disproportionate to their positions without facing serious consequences.

Call for Proportionate Punishment

The former gubernatorial candidate called for punishments that match the level of power entrusted to public officials. He argued that the extensive authority granted to political leaders should come with corresponding accountability.

"For the amount of power we give you and everybody accepts that power and you lord it over us, and we are begging the citizens to endure so that your policies can go, then it must come with a commensurate punishment at the end of the line," Showunmi insisted.

He concluded by criticizing the ostentatious lifestyles of some government officials, stating, "You can't be sitting in government office, be living large and acting as if the only right you have to money is that you are in government."