Fifty civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have raised the alarm over the threat of the anti-corruption war in the country.
The CSOs said some elements are being sponsored to discredit the war against corruption while some government agencies and personnel are being used to scuttle the fight against graft.
Among the CSOs are Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP), BudgIT Foundation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), State of the Union (SOTU), Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Women in Media Communication Initiative (WIM), Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC), Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Accountability Lab, Nigeria, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Say NO Campaign – Nigeria, Femi Falana Chamber, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Good Governance Team, 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth Initiative, OCCEN-Kano and Mothers and Marginalised Advocacy Centre (MAMA Centre).
Others are Social Action, Centre for Transparency Watch, West Africa Civil Society Forum WASCSOF, Global Rights, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Partners West Africa, Order Paper, Say No Campaign, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA), Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Amnesty International Nigeria, RULAAC – Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Connected Development (CODE), Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT), Praxis, CLEEN Foundation, Spaces for Change, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Yiaga Africa, Policy Alert, Socio Economic Research and Development Centre, Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative, Media Rights Agenda, Media Initiative For Transparency In Extractive Industries (MITEI) and Centre for Social Justice.
At a joint press conference, one of the leaders of the CSOs, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, said to effectively combat corruption and make significant strides towards progress, it is crucial to adopt a cohesive strategy that addresses all elements that support Nigeria’s growing corruption system.
Rafsanjani, who said youths have been recruited to undermine the corruption war, said undermining the sub-national anti-corruption bodies is uncalled for.
Growing concerns over the declining levels of autonomy and integrity of the judiciary must be addressed. The National Judicial Council must diligently monitor its members and promptly remove any corrupt judicial officer found to be compromising the judicial system.
To truly establish a flourishing democracy, transparency and accountability must be strictly adhered to in governance. This requires holding politicians accountable for their actions and inactions, strengthening institutions to combat corruption, and ensuring that the allocation of resources is done in a fair and equitable manner.
We urge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties to take decisive action in purging its ranks by denouncing and breaking support with their members who are currently being investigated by anti-corruption agencies.
Adequate resource allocation to the Anti-corruption Agencies has become imperative to uphold their independence and enhance efficiency in the anti-corruption process. It is essential to prioritise adequate funding and support for anti-corruption agencies to prevent corruption and promote accountability,“ Rafsanjani said.
According to the CSOs, religious leaders have a unique platform to influence their followers and promote ethical behaviour.
They can use their sermons, teachings, and religious texts to emphasize the importance of honesty, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of life. Community leaders, such as local government officials, traditional chiefs, and grassroots activists play a vital role in combating corruption,“ the CSOs said while urging the Inspector General of Police to promptly reinstate the police personnel withdrawn from the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission, to facilitate the effective execution of the commission’s duties.
Nigeria Police must avoid actions that may portray it as being submissive to politicians,“ the CSOs said.