By Alltimepost.com
Benin City, Nigeria – Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), has expressed worry and anxiety over the unstable and diminishing impact of the President Buhari-led Anti-corruption fight, and has advised Mr. President to formulate a clear, coherent anti-corruption template for Nigeria to get rid of the scourge.
ANEEJ made its position known, in a statement released to journalists in Benin during the week by its Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor.
The organization was reacting to the recent controversy generated by the refusal of the Senate to confirm Mr. Ibrahim Magu as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of corruption against him.
Of great worry to the Environmental and human rights group is that Magu was a candidate recommended by President Buhari and vetted by the Department of State Security Services (DSS).
Ugolor called for the disclosure of the DSS report which led to the inability for the Senate to confirm Mr. Magu as the substantive chairman of EFCC.
It is also important, he continued, for President Buhari to take responsibility for some of the allegations surrounding key members of his administration, including the Secretary to government of the federation and the Chief of Staff.
“We are also alarmed at the warm reception given to Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu by the ruling APC despite the case against him by the EFCC. The implication of this is that politicians who are facing prosecution for one form of corruption or the other, now try to evade prosecution by joining the ruling party.
“What has been lacking in the Anti-Corruption war in Nigeria is the absence of a roadmap indicating as clear as possible the direction, scope and focus of Mr. President’s fight against corruption,” Ugolor remarked.
He stressed the need for the president Buhari to be decisive and come out clear on these issues so as not to trivialise his anti-corruption effort.
“Mr. Buhari won the popular vote because he expressed strong interest to rid Nigeria of corruption. Therefore, his inability to prosecute key organs/personalities of his administration allegedly embroiled in one incident of corruption or the other sends a dangerous signal and deals a crucial blow to his commitment to successfully fight corruption,” Ugolor stated.
Since Nigeria is a signatory to the UNCAC Treaty, ANEEJ recommends that President Buhari administration must align itself with the ratification and implementation of all UNCAC tools especially the Institutional Integrity Initiative of UNCAC, to effectively tackle and prevent corruption in the public and private sector in the coming year 2017.
