Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) has called on the political leaders, aspirants and other stakeholders to embrace transparency and accountability as their major hallmark while occupying public offices, and particularly towards 2019 electioneering.
This call was made at one-day Forum tagged “Nigeria Governors Forum” on Deepening Democracy, Transparency and Accountability in the Electoral Process in Nigeria organized by CVL in Abuja on Wednesday to provide a platform for stakeholders engagement and platform to discuss the three important issues that we consider very important to the success of 2019 general elections which campaign was officially flagged off on November 18, 2018.
The Forum played host to Presidential aspirants, 12 state Governors, Anti-corruption Agency such as EFCC, Nigerian Police Force, INEC, Civil Society organisations, private organisations as well as other major stakeholders in the forthcoming elections.
According to Mr Rasheed Adegbenro, Senior Vice President, CVL, “the aim of this forum is to promote the process of institutionalizing transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption issues in the electoral process in Nigeria in pursuant of a free, fair, and credible 2019 election and beyond, to amplify stakeholders’ engagement, conversations, and understanding of issues that promote electoral integrity, good governance, and democracy in Nigeria”.
Adegbenro in his remarks added the three issues of paramount importance to the 2019 elections are the matters of Anti-corruption, Transparency and Accountability on the part of elected representatives as well as respective stakeholders.
“CVL believes that this Forum will articulate the best ways forward to address these issues that had combined in past elections to make mockery of our journey in democratic governance”
EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu ably represented by Mr Ola Olukayode, during his presentation at the forum emphasized that the use of
public funds for personal and party elections is completely Illegal.
“It is unethical, illegal and criminal to fund electoral campaigns with public funds” said Olukayode
He noted that whenever money is diverted for election campaign by corrupt leaders, it’s money budgeted for a particular sector and once diverted that sector suffers setbacks.
Speaking as a Panelist at the forum, YPP Presidential Candidate, Kingsley Moghalu, said the role of institutions in deepening democracy is quite pivotal.
“Institutions matter as they ensure the rule of law, they ensure stability and balance” said Moghalu
Also on the Panel, Hafiz Bayero representing Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Executive Governor of Kaduna State harped more on the need to curb the use of fake news as its often faults electoral processes.
“it is imperative that people, most importantly young people be encouraged to positively engage social media and refrain from the use of fake news either against the political opponents or to foment violent clashes during the elections” said Bayero.
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