CISLAC, Transparency International Accuse Tinubu of Rewarding Corrupt Politicians with Appointments

*Allege president choosing people with open integrity deficits into political party, executive, legislative arms of government

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) yesterday, accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of appointing persons believed to be corrupt or under investigations by anti-graft agencies into leadership positions.
CISLAC, in a joint statement with Transparency International (TI) Nigeria, said the appointments spread across political party level, the executive and the legislative arms of government.

The statement by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, expressed worries about the effect such actions would have on the morale of anti-corruption agencies in the country.

According to the statement, “A scenario where an individual who has very substantial corruption allegation against him is made to lead the ruling political party is worrisome. These are happening despite ongoing investigation by anti-graft agency both at the state and federal level against some of these individuals.
“We find it appalling that some of the names sent by the president to the National Assembly to be screened for ministerial positions have corruption related cases to answer with the anti-graft agencies.

“Going by this list, the president would correctly be perceived as shown lack of care about integrity in governance and turn a deafening hears to public outcry on key issues especially the fight against corruption,” Rafsanjani said.
He noted that the Ministerial list sent to the Senate proves that Nigeria is reversing the gains made in its anti-corruption efforts since the return to democracy in 1999.

He said: “For example, the list has an ex-Governor internationally accused of aiding a former military ruler to launder Nigeria’s wealth abroad.
“It is also disturbing that a politician who has a case to answer with the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is at the leadership of the National Assembly and will be conducting oversight duties on anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC.

“We equally frown at the recycling of some ex-Governors and ex-Minsters who glaringly failed to perform in their previous assignments.”
He said with the assemblage of the alleged corrupt individuals with integrity deficit, it was clear that Tinubu has no regard or concern for the public demand to have a sane and responsible government.

He also said Nigeria’s reputation in the global community was going to suffer negative consequences with the incredible damage the acts like money laundering, drugs trafficking, merchant of violence and illegal proliferation of arms have done to the country which has contributed and will continue widening insecurity, poverty, collapse of education, health care infrastructural development and ethnics and value system.

“We find it very sad that young Nigerians will have no positive lesson to learn from these corrupt leaders.
“Citizens and well-meaning Nigerians must continue to demand that transparency, accountability and responsible leadership be institutionalized in our public offices,” Rafsanjani said.