Never Keep Silent In the Face of Injustice ––Ribadu Challenges Nigerians

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday in Kaduna said the greatest disservice to the country and its democracy was for Nigerians to keep silent in the face of the present poor governance in the country:

“We must continue to ask questions. Questions, no matter how politely they are asked, often rattle the one in whose direction they are thrown, especially if the person has no ready explanation for such legitimate questions. 

“But we should not be deterred. The greatest disservice we would do to our country and democracy is to keep silent.

Challenging Nigerians to remain vigilant at all times in other to put the government on its toe, Ribadu said, “Without the oversight of the legislature, the inquisitiveness of the media and the doggedness of the civil society, democracy is no different from oligarchy and dictatorship.”

The former EFCC boss stated this in a goodwill message at a one-day seminar on, ‘The Role of a Legislator in a Democracy’, organised by the Center for Development and Rights Advocacy in Kaduna.

Ribadu also called on Nigerian youths to be focused and steadfast in the course of nationhood and resist any attempt by any individual or group to set them against one another.

He said, “Let me also use this opportunity to, once again, call on our youths to remain focused and steadfast in the course of our nationhood. You should resist any attempt by any selfish person to manipulate or set you against each other."

He added that “It is important that we have more of this type of assembly as a necessary avenue to dialogue, ask questions and proffer the way forward for our country, especially at a critical time like this."