SERAP backs Transparency International, alleges that corruption increased in Buhari's government
- Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), a human rights advocacy group, has said that the Transparency International (TI)'s rating of Nigeria in terms of corruption should be taken seriously
- SERAP claimed that presently corruption still poses a threat to Nigeria's development in all sectors
- The group said the presidency should take a more careful look at the issue of corruption at all levels in the country
A human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has encouraged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to see Nigeria's current rating on the Transparency International (TI)'s corruption perception index as a wake-up call.
The organisation stated that instead of ignoring TI’s verdict as false, the presidency should take it seriously. The group said: “The federal government should raise its game to fight both grand and petty corruption, as well as end the legacy of impunity.”
Transparency International had, in its latest corruption perception index, placed Nigeria at number 148 out of 180 countries in the world. It stressed that corruption in the country had worsened in the last two years when Nigeria ranked 136 on its list. But the federal government claimed the observation is baseless, The Punch reports.
READ ALSO: Don’t repeat 1985 mistake by voting Buhari out in 2019 - MURIC
However, in a statement on Sunday, February 25, by Timothy Adewale, SERAP deputy director, said that TI's reports are true to the realities obtainable in the country.
It remarked that: “While TI’s index only measures perceptions of corruption, their findings correspond substantially with the reality of impunity of perpetrators, as demonstrated by the low conviction rate, the authorities’ slowness to adopt and implement critical reforms, appearance of selectivity in the anti-corruption fight, apparent complicity of key officials and cover-up, as well as unaddressed alleged corruption against several state governors.
“The authorities should take the report seriously and use it as an opportunity to raise their game in their efforts to rid our country of corruption and underdevelopment.
READ ALSO: APC loses 9,000 members to PDP in Benue and Ebonyi
“The government should make no mistake about this: Nigerians know corruption when they see it. Rather than simply criticising TI as publishing fiction or going after its board members, the government should accept the fact that its oft-expressed commitment to fight corruption has not gone to plan.
“The CPI may not be perfect, and in fact no index is. The CPI may not show actual evidence of corruption in the country, but perceptions are commonly a good indicator of the real level of corruption. In any case, the devastating effects of corruption in virtually all sectors providing essential public services are too glaring for Nigerians to ignore.
“While the government may have blocked some leakages in the systems and reduced the level of impunity witnessed under the previous administrations, it has not done enough to address long-standing cases of corruption, and the appearance of selectivity in the prosecution of corruption allegations especially when such cases involve those close to the seat of power. Today, corruption still constitutes one of the greatest threats to the country’s sustainable and equitable development.”
PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!
SERAP noted that though President Buhari assumed power with the promise that he would fight corruption, no government official charged with fraud has been brought to book since the beginning of his administration.
It stated: “Almost three years after taking office, and promising to fight grand corruption, no ‘big fish’ suspect of corruption has yet been sent to jail. The situation has not significantly improved, and it seems unlikely that many of those facing grand corruption charges will be successfully prosecuted. Nigerians need to see real commitment and heavy investment in promoting a culture of clean government, and total obedience to the rule of law.”
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that SERAP had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the newly released list of appointments to the boards of agencies and parastatals.
SERAP said the withdrawal of the list will eliminate any danger to the integrity of the boards.
Smartphones giveaway. Hurry up! 1 week until winner announced - On Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
