A non-governmental anti-corruption group has called on Nigerians to explore the social media platform in fighting the war against corruption.

“Corrupt practices can be exposed through the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc, to report cases of assault, unlawful detention, unlawful arrest, bribery, and other social malaise.”

The National Chairman of Citizen Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps (CACVC), Comrade Eze Harris Chuma, stated this at the end of a one-day summit, tagged ‘Lagos Social Media Anti-Corruption Summit’, organised by the group at Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos. He said the Internet and social media provides a quick and cheap means of communication easily accessible to every Nigerian, and that it is an effective tool to fight corruption.

His words: “Traditional means of communication such as newspapers and broadcast media are sometimes controlled by the government in concealing some information from the public. However, with the advent of social media, such information has become very difficult for government to control. Internet can also be used to increase transparency. For example, the government can publicly provide information on budget allocations and other relevant details about public projects on the respective websites, thereby increasing public scrutiny and reducing the scope of discretion and misappropriation of public funds.”

The CACVC chairman commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his anti-corruption drive, adding that the arrest and prosecution of former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd), Raymond Dokpesi, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Olisa Metuh, among others, for alleged corrupt practices. He enjoined Nigerians to support and rally round President Buhari in the fight against corruption: “I believe in Buhari. I know he will perform, but Nigerians should be patient and endure, because the hardship we are facing is for a while.”

On whistle blowing, CACVC noted that the pledge by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to protect corruption-whistle-blowers in Nigeria will encourage many Nigerians to expose corrupt practices without fear, using the social media. The group’s leader noted that though some administrations had tried to block certain websites, (citing Edward Snowden and Julian Asange of Wikileaks who are hunted by the United States government for leaking some information), “yet, such efforts by government has always been futile. With the massive reach of the social media it is the perfect tool for changing people's perception of what is expected and acceptable behaviour by the government.”

Comrade Benedict Chogudo, Deputy Chairman of CACVC, in his keynote speech, said the role of the social media cannot be over-emphasised, especially since corruption is now an evil that has eaten deep into the fabric of the society. “Consistent campaign against corruption on social media will draw the attention of relevant government agencies and personnel, and Nigerians should not give up in the fight against corruption. Collectively, the fight against corruption can be won.”

•Photo shows Comrade Eze Harris Chuma.

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