The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has condemned the appointment of allegedly fraudulent individuals to leadership positions within political parties, the executive branch, and the legislative branch.
Concern was expressed regarding the effect such actions would have on the morale of anti-corruption agencies in the country. A statement by the executive director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, characterized as worrisome a scenario in which a person who is the subject of serious allegations of corruption is appointed as the leader of the ruling political party.
Read also: Kenya Is Divided By Relief And Despair Over The Repeal Of Forestry Restrictions
It stated: “These are occurring despite ongoing investigations by state and federal anti-corruption agencies against some of these individuals. We find it deplorable that some of the names sent by the President to the National Assembly for ministerial screening have cases related to corruption pending before anti-corruption agencies.
“Based on this list, the President would be correctly perceived as unconcerned with integrity in governance and oblivious to public outcry on key issues, particularly the fight against corruption.
“The ministerial list submitted to the Senate demonstrates that we are reversing the anti-corruption gains made since our return to democracy in 1999.” On the list, for instance, is an ex-governor accused internationally of assisting a former military ruler to launder Nigeria’s wealth abroad.
According to the statement, “it is troubling that a politician with a pending case before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is in charge of the National Assembly and will oversee anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC.”
Ex-governors and ex-ministers who had egregiously underperformed in their previous positions were disapproved of by the group. It was stated that the President’s lack of regard for the public’s desire for a sane and accountable government is evident, given that he has assembled a group of individuals lacking in integrity.
CISLAC added, “We find it extremely regrettable that young Nigerians will learn nothing positive from these fraudulent leaders. Citizens and well-intentioned Nigerians must continue to demand the institutionalization of transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership in our public offices.
