CSOs Task Political Parties on Anti-corruption War

By Lucky Isibor

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have task all the political parties contesting the 2023 general elections on the fight against corruption, social inclusion, and extractated their commitments ahead the transition to a new democratic dispensation to be ushered in next year.

Leo Atakpu (2nd right) delivering the welcome address at the town hall meeting

The civil society groups who gathered under the platform of the Enhancing Anti-corruption and Social Inclusive Reform Initiatives in Nigeria project being implemented by the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and its eight (8) partners as part of the   Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project of Palladium and its resource partners which is funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), tasked the political parties on their anti-corruption strategies at a town hall meeting held on Wednesday, 21 December in Abuja.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor noted that corruption is largely responsible for the nation's under development adding that frightening statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics detailing the situation has necessitated the need to have conversations and commitments from the various political parties vying for the presidency and governorship of the various states.

According to Rev. Ugolor who was represented by the Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, Comrade Leo Atakpu, Nigeria ranks 154 least corrupt nations out of 180 countries. 

"As we inch towards another round of general elections already fixed for February and March next year and since the commencement of campaigns, we really have not heard sufficient conversations and commitments from the various political parties that are vying for the presidency and Governorship of the various states. As civil society organizations and critical stakeholders in the anti-corruption struggle, we decided to invite leaders of all political parties in Nigeria to this town hall meeting to use the opportunity to interact with Nigerians and tell Nigerians how they intend to fight corruption that is largely responsible for Nigeria’s underdevelopment of our beloved country".

While emphasising the essence of the SCALE project, Ugolor reeled out statistics to support the issues corruption have created for Nigeria and her people. Ugolor said; "we consider this project as an important one that seeks to promote and engage in anti-corruption policy reforms at both the national and sub-national levels with an ultimate goal of strengthening governance to deliver development goals to citizens, particularly in addressing poverty and inequality amongst our people. It is also aimed at contributing to the eradication of corruption in Nigeria.

"The project is also designed to address reforms issues within the development commissions set up to develop the Niger Delta region such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the oil and gas producing areas development commissions in Abia, Delta, Edo, Imo and Ondo. 

"It might be interesting to share the following information as background to our meeting today. First, Nigeria is the 154 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, according to the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. Nigeria has consistently remained on the bottom rung of the ladder of corruption-free nations. This has concomitant effect in our national growth and development. 

"The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently revealed that 133million Nigerians live in multi-dimensional poverty. Public Infrastructures such as power, roads as well as social services particularly educational and health institutions are in dire conditions necessitating an unprecedented upsurge in brain drain and jakpa syndrome.

"The annual inflation rate in Nigeria accelerated for the 10th straight month to 21.47% in November of 2022 from 21.09% in October and above market estimates of 21.15% as the country battles with soaring food prices. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) further revealed in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report that food inflation climbed to 23.72% in October 2022, from 23.34% in September 2022.

He therefore urged Nigerians to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) wisely in the next election to punish their oppressors and vote those they're sure will not only fight corruption, but move them out of poverty.

While giving the commitment of Labour Party to strengthen the fight against corruption if given the mandate by Nigerians to form the next government in Nigeria, representative of the party,  Adejobi Peter who's a Labour Party chieftain in the Federal Capital Territory stated that a Labour Party government would reduce the cost of governance which will ultimately free some money for industrialisation, move the country from a consumer nation to a productive nation; creat employment and reduce the dependency syndrome which make workers prone to corruption.

Adejobi pointed that people with disabilities and women don't pay nomination fees in the party and assured that women, youths and people with disabilities will continue to be given opportunities to occupy prominent positions in Labour Party as those contesting elections are assisted with campaign materials at the party's expense.

According to the Labour Party representative, "there is no way you'll do the same thing the same way, the same approach, the same set of mindset and you'll not get the same result. It is the same people that have been coming up with different policies to fight this enigma and it's still the same people that truncate it and it is still the same people that are saying vote for me, they want to perpetual themselves.

"Our presidential candidate have been tested and trusted while governing Anambra State. He has come to realise the challenges confronting our country. One is cost of governance. In Nigeria we are taking governance as alternative to employment. People don't want to work again, they want to get political appointments.

"To check corruption, we are going to change Nigeria from a consumer nation to a productive nation; we'll make sure there is massive industrialisation to create employment".

Representative of the Allied People's Movement (APM), Mrs Rose Gyar, who is also the Deputy National Chairman of the party said if given the mandate that the APM will ensure that systems and processes are working and build institutions to fight corruption. She assured that if given the mandate by Nigerians, an APM government will implement the Oronsaye panel report on public service reforms as a way of reducing the cost of governance, "engage in public/private partnership to create jobs to ensure people don't go into corrupt practices as a means of survival, develop rural economies to reduce rural - urban drift". 

On it's part, the Action Alliance assured that the party will establish special courts to handle corruption related cases to enhance quick dispensation of cases. The National Secretary of AA, Vernimbe James who represented the AA at the town hall meeting added that given the mandate, AA will ensure that prosecution of corruption related cases will be time bound like what's happening in Elections Petitions Tribunal where the cases are disposed of within a time frame.

Representatives of Young People's Party YPP, Accord Party, Nigeria National People's Party, Binta Suleiman, Muhammad Nalado and Dr. Meryam Jummai Bello Yasen respectively gave the commitment of their parties to create employment, engage in public enlightenment on what constitutes corruption and the evils of corruption to convince the citizenry on the imperative of shunning corruption.

Present at the town hall meeting were representatives of Labour Party, Aliied People's Movement, Young People's Party, New Nigeria People's Party, Action Alliance and Accord Party, members of civil society organisations from across the country, faith based organisations and journalists.