…Task Political Actors To Unveil Anti-Corruption Blueprint Ahead of 2023
Abubakar Yunus, Abuja
As the world marks the International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) on December 9, the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has urged citizens, anti-corruption institutions, and grassroots stakeholders to remain undaunted in the fight against corruption and its crippling effects on development and quality of life.
CHRICED also called for unity of purpose among all marginalized groups, which are victims of corruption at the grassroots. CHRICED, Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi in a statement said corruption is a cancer that not only impedes the collective development goals of a nation but also exacerbates the suffering of its citizens.
He said: “Nigerians who have endured the brunt of corruption and its consequences cannot afford to remain silent in the face of adversity and deprivation. Citizens must raise their collective voice and leverage to condemn corruption and demand accountability.”
Dr. Zikirullahi pointed out that the reality of corruption in Nigeria is well documented in the National Bureau of Statistics’ recent multi-dimensional poverty report, which revealed that a staggering 133 million Nigerians have fallen into the trap of multi-dimensional poverty, despite billions of Naira spent by the Nigerian Federal, State, and Local Governments.
He said: “This means that 63 percent of Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty as a result of the government’s failure to impact their lives through the provision of services such as health, education, and housing.
CHRICED is convinced that the 2023 general elections will be the latest opportunity for citizens to use their vote to elect leaders and future governance actors who will act in the best interests of the people and not use their positions for corrupt enrichment and mass poverty.
On the theme of the IACD, which is UNCAC At 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption, the CHRICED Director said: “We are convinced that the message of unity, as a sure step to dealing a decisive blow to corruption and it perpetrators, is crucial, particularly in a country like Nigeria, where corrupt politicians are quick to exploit ethnic, religious, and sectarian sentiments before and after stealing the country’s resources intended for the common good
He continued: “CHRICED urges Nigerians to realize that corrupt officials who indulge in actions of self-aggrandizement at the expense of the country’s future are blind to tribe and religion. People, who bear the brunt of the actions of a few corrupt individuals, must therefore never allow themselves to be split along ethnic or sectarian lines while denouncing such behavior or ensuring its perpetrators are brought to justice. People at the grassroots level, who are the victims of corruption, must acquire the necessary skills and information to expose corruption and hold accountable those responsible.”
Similarly, with the country counting down to the historic 2023 general elections, the group has also tasked candidates, political parties, poll workers, and voters to avoid all forms of electoral corruption.
It said: “CHRICED also calls on all political parties and their candidates to provide a comprehensive and actionable blueprint outlining how they intend to prevent corruption and its debilitating effects on governance outcomes.
This is the only way for political actors to demonstrate that they support and are willing to implement Section 15 (5), which states that the “State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
