Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has said Nigerian politicians steal public funds and share the loot with citizens to secure re-election.

According to the senator representing Borno South, the corrupt practice of most politicians in the country who only steal N1 billion is people driven, hence don’t deserve the death penalty compared to those who steal N1 trillion or are caught with drugs.

The lawmaker made the assertion on Wednesday during an interview on Channels TV Politics Today.

Comparing the level of corruption among politicians, Mr Ndume said, “Our corruption is very small one. Our corruption is people-driven. You steal money, you go and share it with the people. If you don’t, you are not coming back for four years. Some will go and keep it. There is no reason for stealing. 

He said, “I’ve been in the National Assembly, I can’t say people will look at me on TV now and say I’m a clean person, No I have to say the truth. If the death penalty is supposed to be included in corruption, I will support it but somebody that stole N1 million, you go and kill him, and then somebody that stole N1 billion, you go and kill him, No. 

“But I’m in support of saying you are progressive. If you steal N1 billion, maybe you go to life imprisonment, or imprisonment for 20 years, I support that. But if you go and steal, like I’m hearing, N1 trillion of government’s money, that means you have deprived many people, no, that person should be killed.

“The death penalty is the best deterrent for those being caught for drugs. If you do drugs, you are killing people. In fact, that means you have destroyed the lives of many people and killed  many.’’