- North-East Delegates Say "Let’s Make Laws To Kill Corrupt People"

Two delegates from the North East geo-political zone have recommended stringent measures that will deter and reduce corruption in Nigeria. The two delegates spoke differently during the consideration of the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources.

In his own submission, Alhaji Isa Mafindi calls for the establishment of an ombudsman that will ensure that money recovered from corrupt people are channelled towards the development of Agriculture. He also proposes that whoever has two houses in Abuja should be taxed 30% of the value of the houses, while the money is used for the development of Agriculture.

He says, “Let there be an ombudsman; any corrupt money recovered in Nigeria should be channelled to Agriculture. Whoever has two houses in Abuja, let’s tax him 30% of the value of his house and let’s put it into Agriculture.” He submits that the totality of Nigerians’ lives is based on agriculture; therefore, everything must be done to make Agriculture more viable.

Similarly, Mr. Paul Bassi advocates that capital punishment should be meted out to anyone convicted of corruption in Nigeria. “Let us make laws in this country that those who are corrupt should be killed,” he submits.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the contentious issues in the report of the Committee on Religion have been amicably resolved after extensive consultation and deliberation among delegates led by the Co-Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Nuruddeen Lemu.

The contentious issue is the committee’s recommendation that the apex religious organisations in Nigeria be allowed to handle all matters relating to pilgrimage through Pilgrims Commission duly managed by them under a law to be passed by the National Assembly, which will regulate their functions and protect pilgrims.

The second issue is the recommendation for a specialised legal/institutional mechanism in form of Religious Equity Commission (RECON) to check the abuse of religion and promote the religious rights of all persons in Nigeria as guaranteed by the constitution.

After the submission of Alhaji Lemu, delegates unanimously agreed to the contentious issues through a voice votes.

As captured in the committee report, the proposed Religious Equity Commission (RECON) will check the abuse of religion and promote the religious rights of all persons in Nigeria as guaranteed by the constitution.

RECON will also do the following:

- Monitor, investigate and prosecute cases of religious discrimination and violation.
- Serve as a platform for the promotion of inter-faith unity, understanding and harmony.
- Serve as a watchdog and enforcer of religious rights of all people thereby creating confidence and trust in every Nigerian no matter their religious affiliations.
- Monitor, investigate and prosecute cases of hate sermons, teachings, publications, speeches, utterances and conducts capable of inciting religious crisis.
- Detect early warning signals that can trigger religious tension and nip them in the bud.
- Monitor cases of religious extremism (both in ideology and in practice) and formulate counter narratives (that are balanced and tolerant) to neutralise such extremism.
- Create awareness of the common grounds of all religions and promote the practice and sharing of such commonalities.

Elated at the resolution of the issues, Vice Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi thanks all those involved in persuading both contending sides that the way the recommendation has been made is the best way forward.

He conveys the joy of the presiding officers saying this is the best way forward to resolve a potential, explosive issue.