• Africa

The Citizens Anti-Corruption Network (CAN) wishes to call on the President Mohammed Buhari to be weary of some persons both within and outside his new government whose intentions are now to explore the anti-corruption stance of his government to blackmail perceived political opponents especially public officials who served in the previous administration in the country.

We are concerned about the recent attempts by some persons to use the EFCC through frivolous petitions as it was the case in the past for political purposes, a practice that had undermined the credibility of the anti-corruption commission.

We must remind President Buhari that Nigerians are aware that his anti-corruption campaign is a genuine one and therefore the case for the anti-corruption agency remains strong.

However, the perceived use of the EFCC by the executive or some persons around the government to muzzle or intimidate its real or perceived opponents into submission is a worrisome development that has diminished public confidence in the EFCC and raised questions about the government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency.

We therefore call on the President Mohammadu Buhari to strengthen the EFCC and insulate it from political control, especially by those who seek to use the commission as a weapon of intimidation and blackmail targeted at political opponents.

While assuring the President of our organization’s support in mobilizing the citizens towards ensuring the culture of accountability in all spheres of our society, we wish to restate our commitment to serving as watchdogs in checkmating our leaders whenever attempts are made in deviating from those practices that will strengthen our democracy.

Signed.

Barr. Ndubuisi Udeze                                    Comrade Femi Lawson

Executive Director, CAN                               Registrar