The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take firm and decisive action against corruption, urging him to use the broom, the symbol of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to sweep graft out of the country.
Abure made the call in a Christmas message issued on Friday in Abuja and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh. He warned that no government could succeed or endure without confronting corruption decisively and bringing it under control.
“I called on President Tinubu to use the broom, which is his party’s logo, to sweep away corruption in the country because no government can survive until corruption is fought to a standstill,” the statement read.
Drawing from religious teachings, Abure cited Jesus Christ as an example of incorruptible leadership, noting that scripture records how Christ exposed corruption even among his closest followers. He said this example should serve as a lesson for today’s leaders, particularly those in positions of power.
The LP chairman criticised what he described as a lack of empathy and selflessness among the ruling class, warning that Nigeria would continue to struggle unless leaders prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens above personal enrichment. According to him, the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals has deprived the country of resources needed to address critical challenges.
Abure lamented that funds allegedly cornered by a small segment of the population could have been invested in essential infrastructure, as well as in improving schools, hospitals and other social services across the country.
“Nigeria can only get better when leaders have empathy for common Nigerians by exhibiting selflessness. This will bring to an end primitive acquisition of wealth by a few individuals, resources that would have helped in putting needed infrastructure, building schools and hospitals, among others,” he said.
He further argued that Nigeria’s difficulties would persist unless present-day leaders embrace the sacrificial spirit of the country’s founding fathers. Abure listed leaders such as Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Mallam Aminu Kano as examples of leaders who placed national interest above personal gain.
“Until leaders of today imbibe the sacrificial attributes of our founding fathers… Nigeria will continue to struggle,” he warned.
The Labour Party chairman also urged Nigerians to pray fervently for improved security across the country, while commending the efforts of security agencies for maintaining peace during the festive season.
“I praise the gallant efforts of our servicemen, the State Security Services and every other paramilitary group for ensuring that peace prevails during this season,” Abure said.
