As part of calls to curb corruption in the country, the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, on Sunday in Minna called for a ban on corrupt politicians and civil servants from active politics.
Bello said this during the inauguration and chartering of the Niger State branch of the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering.
He said only those who have clean sheet and the fear of God should be given the opportunity to participate in politics.
Bello, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Jonathan Vatsa, also disclosed that the state has embarked on reviving vocational and technical schools, which have been moribund and left to rot by previous administrations.
Accordingly, he said: “I will say it over and over again, if we want Nigeria to move forward, corrupt politicians and civil servants should be ban from participating in active politics.
“In China, corrupt leaders are being executed.
“If in our own case we can’t execute them, then we should ban them from participating in politics and give opportunity to those who are clean, honest and have the fear of God.”
Bello further charged Nigerlites to hold the government accountable on how monies are expended in the state, adding: “The fundamental issue facing us as a nation is corruption and if you look at Niger State, we are where we are today because in the past we had corrupt leaders who were not able to manage the people’s resources wisely.
“One good thing about democracy, when it is described as the government of the people, is that the people should ask questions.
“We came in through their votes and not by power.
“Those who voted us in should ask us questions, how their monies are being spent, because it will bring about checks and balances.”
In his remarks, the National President of NATE, Ahmad Yabagi, said the essence of the Chartering is to sensitize the general public of the existence of the association as well as establishing a synergy among NATE, private sectors and government.
Vatsa was given an award of honour for his contribution and achievement in the field of technology, especially in turning around the state owned Radio and Television stations.