The Action Peoples Party (APP) candidate for Owerri Senatorial Zone, Dr Chima Amadi, has said that only individuals who cannot explain the sources of their wealth should be afraid of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), insisting that legitimately earned money should not prevent anyone from openly supporting communities and people in need.
Amadi made the remarks while responding to a point raised by an Imo State Government appointee during his engagement with women at the ongoing August Meeting.
The government appointee had suggested during the engagement that he would rather not publicly announce any donation he made because of concerns about attracting the attention of the EFCC.
The appointee also spoke glowingly about the performance of the government, prompting Amadi to strongly disagree with the position and offer a different perspective on both issues.
Amadi argued that there should be no reason for anyone to fear scrutiny over donations when the money being given was honestly earned, transparently donated and properly accounted for.
“There should be nothing to fear about giving back to our people when what is being given is honestly earned, transparently donated and properly accounted for,” Amadi said.
He maintained that the EFCC should not be used as an excuse for withholding support from communities that desperately need assistance.
“The EFCC should be feared by those who cannot explain the source of their wealth, not used as an excuse for withholding support from communities that desperately need it,” he added.
The APP senatorial candidate for Owerri Zone also challenged the assessment of government performance based primarily on political loyalty or the privileges enjoyed by those holding public appointments.
According to him, the true test of good governance should be the condition of ordinary citizens and the extent to which government policies and programmes improve their lives.
He argued that political affiliation or the benefits associated with holding public office should not become the yardstick for determining whether a government is performing.
“The true measure of governance is the condition of the people: their livelihoods, security, opportunities and quality of life,” he said.
He stressed that those occupying public positions should remain courageous enough to acknowledge the realities confronting the people, irrespective of their relationship with the government of the day.
The Ngor Okpala-born philanthropist maintained that public appointment should not prevent individuals from speaking truthfully about the economic and social realities facing the people.
“Public office should never take away our courage to speak truthfully about the realities around us,” he said.
Explaining why he responded to the government appointee, Amadi said he could not allow the remarks to pass without expressing his position.
“I could not sit quietly, so I responded,” he stated.
Amadi’s remarks underscored his position that transparency in the acquisition and use of wealth should eliminate fears over legitimate scrutiny, while the performance of any government should ultimately be measured by its impact on the livelihoods, security, opportunities and overall quality of life of the people.
