Ex-military leaders responsible for Nigeria’s woes, says Opadokun Former Secretary General of pan Yoruba social organisation, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Opadokun, has attributed the pervasiveness of corruption in Nigeria to the misadventure by the military.

The fiery activist also blamed the late General Muritala Ramat Mohammed/General Olusegun Obasanjo regime for the elevation of corruption in Nigeria.

Opadokun, who is the Convener of Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), spoke in Offa, Offa local government area of Kwara State after delivering a lecture as part of activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Offa Descendants Union (ODU).

Opadokun spoke on the topic titled, 'Offa: Yesterday, today and tomorrow.'

He said: "Generals Mohammed Ramat Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo made corruption to become a phenomenon, while General Ibrahim Babangida came to institutionalised corruption.

"The starting point was the wrong measures, the un-well rehearsed measures Murtala/Obasanjo regime took by sacking public officials on radio with immediate effect. That is what led people to always prepare for their tomorrow as they perceived that their jobs were no longer permanent.

"Since then, you can hardly organise a project or contract that the senior civil servants will not have their world built up around it. Babangida only came to institutionalise corruption, no doubt about it."

Speaking on President Muhammadu Buhari's anti corruption agenda, the former member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) said while "the body language" of the president has begun to send fears down the spines of some people, the federal government must also come up with a clear policy direction that would address the myriad of challenges confronting the country, adding, "There must be policy measures put in place to guide the next phase of our lives. So I am of the opinion that the President ought to fasten his belt."

On the perceived frosty relationship between Buhari and current Senate, Opadokun is of the opinion that the president is vested with enormous powers to function, saying, "The president has all the powers the constitution has empowered him to enable him preside over our country. There are so many things he could do to ensure that he makes his appointments without having any problem with the Senate.