The Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group, a Non Governmental Organisation, Ibrahim Zikirullah, on Monday decried the seeming failure of the existing anti-graft agencies to tackle corruption in Nigeria.
Zikirullah made the remark at a one-day interactive session on “Anti-Corruption and Good Governance”, organised by the Public Affairs Session of the US in Abuja.
According to him, apart from corruption as social malaise, actions such as crime, injustice and insecurity have taken disturbing dimensions that are threatening continued growth of democracy in the country.
Zikirullah said: “Of concern is the serious challenge posed to Nigeria’s democracy by corruption, social injustice, criminal activities, infrastructure decay and insecurity in the country.”
He noted that the development of the economy and good governance have been inhibited in all its ramifications.
“This is why we have continued to occupy very low positions in international ratings of human development indices,” he said.
The chairman, however, said Nigeria had in the last 14 years recorded giant strides through political and economic reforms but corruption had assumed new heights.
He argued that existence of institutions, legislation and procedures in Nigeria gave the country ample opportunity to fight corruption yet the social menace “is still rearing its ugly”.
He added: “Our problem is that most of the institutions, agencies and procedures have become dysfunctional, they do not work because rule of law and due process have been hijacked by powerful individuals.”
He stressed the need for independent, transparent and accountable institutions including anti-corruption agencies, law enforcement and judiciary to rise up to the challenges by redoubling commitment at the top level.
Zikirullah said that anti-graft agencies could only succeed if the political leaders muster enough political will to eradicate corruption and tackle other social vices plaguing the country.
“This is extremely important if the fight against corruption is to succeed,” he added.
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