Ban looters from politics, says Maitama-Sule

Alhaji Maitama Sule

Alhaji Yusuf Maitama-Sule, ex-minister of National Guidance, has said those convicted of looting public funds should be banned from partisan politics and holding public office.

Maitama-Sule told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano yesterday  that the ban should be backed by law.

“But this will be possible when there is a law to back it and we hope the law will be enacted soon to support the idea,” he said.

He noted that  the fear of the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by public officers is now the beginning of wisdom.

“EFCC has done well in the discharge of its responsibilities, as there is a lot of recovered looted funds now.

“But the biggest challenge for EFCC is that it can investigate but it does not have the power to spend money and utilise it for other purposes.

Maitama-Sule, who is ex-Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, also called for an enabling law to enable government utilise the recovered looted funds to improve the living standard of Nigerians.

He suggested  the revitalisation  of education, agriculture and power sectors to give the nation’s moribund industries a new lease of life.

The elder statesman hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for tackling insurgency, especially in the Northeast.

“We have to thank God Almighty for the peace that has since been restored in the country and we will continue to pray for its sustenance.

“No meaningful development can be achieved without peace and even the ‘most diehard cynics” know that President Buhari has done well in terms of restoration of peace in the country,” he said.

Maitam-Sule urged Nigerians to continue to support and show understanding to the government in its determination to restore sanity in the country.