…Lists Abuse of Security Votes, Disregard For Judiciary, Nepotism As Factors Responsible For Downward Slide
… U.S, Britain, France Makes List Of Corrupt Nations Too
Williams Anuku, Abuja
The 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released globally by Transparency International TI on Thursday, has placed Nigeria as the 146th most corrupt nation in the world.
The newly released index published in Nigeria, exclusively by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International Chapter in Nigeria, revealed that Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 points in the 2019 CPI, falling back by one point when compared to the year 2018.
In the current country comparison index, Nigeria ranks 146 out of 180 countries sliding down two points when compared to 2018 polls.
The CPI aggregates data from a number of different sources that provide perceptions by business community and country experts of the level of corruption in the public sector.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani who released the latest statistics, in Abuja, blamed the federal government for what he termed poor approach to fighting corruption.
He said beyond Nigeria, countries like the United States, Britain, France were also posting poor results, indicating that corruption was growing at an alarming rate, globally.
According to Rafsanjani, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was feigning ignorance to over bloated security votes enjoyed by public officers both at the federal, state and local government levels.
He equally noted that the recent drama which played out at the law court in Abuja, where alleged proponent of the #RevolutionNow# Omoyele Sowore was dragged out and re-arrested portrayed the country in bad light within the global scene.
While adducing reasons for this trend, TI said, “Nigeria’s rule of law is selective – the rich and powerful do not play by the rules
“All useful reforms in Nigeria are limited to those who cannot afford to ignore them. The pre-election period witnessed mind-blowing scandals, which stayed without consequences. Politicians stashing millions of dollars in kickbacks or having corruption charges upon them just need to switch political parties or stay loyal and charges are dropped against them.
“Despite evidences brought by brave media and civil society, prominent personalities in politics and business are untouchable by the Nigerian law enforcement and the executive, while backlash against media and civil society damages Nigeria’s anti-corruption effort”.
TI also alleged that recruitment processes in Nigeria are still laced with bribery and favoritism, while some public health institutions which can’t boast of standard medical facilities still insist on cutting corners to deliver services.
In the security sector, TI alleged that infighting between the police and army leaves much to be desired, especially when those at the top echelon of the agencies, including governors spend security votes at will without any accountability structure.
“In another prominent example, Omoyele Sowore was dragged out of the court room while the judges were literally held at gunpoint by DSS. The whole world watched in shock as state apparatus became a major threat to public safety and justice in Nigeria.
“Institutionalised corruption in political parties and political integrity
Nigeria’s system of governance and the foundations of democracy are for sale! We do not have political parties. We have platforms without ideology and any ideas to offer voters.
“Politicians are masters of survival changing political parties as they please. Political party primaries are for sale to the highest bidder in a system of godfathers and criminals, who buy themselves the right to loot Nigeria from within the Government, National Assembly or other politically exposed positions.
“Nigeria won’t win the fight against corruption when corruption is institutionalised within the political party system. At various arms and levels of government, see routine and systematic abuse of office which by many government appointees that has been elevated to a position of being celebrated and yet government has decided to not even acknowledge the serious negative impact of this on the failure of its anti-corruption campaign to bear substantive results, “the Nigerian representative for TI stated in a world press conference in Abuja.
