Auwal Musa Rafsanjan
By Timothy Elerewe
The annual global Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International (TI) has shown that Nigeria has sunk two steps deeper in 2019 than the position she was in 2018. At a press conference in Abuja, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre(CISLAC) which is the TI chapter in Nigeria said Nigeria ranked 146 out of 180 countries in the list of corrupt nations in the world.
CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani further revealed that Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 points in the 2019 Corrupt Perception Index, falling back by one point compared to 2018.
He explained that 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.
Rafsanjani said while the index does not show real incidences of corruption, “it is a reliable indication of the perception of the Nigerian public and international community about the state of corruption in the country”.
“The index is 100% impartial, objective and globally well respected” , he added
The TI believed that Nigerian government is paying lip service to the fight against corruption in the country
According to the Executive Director, “why is Nigeria perceived by Nigerians and the international community still as very corrupt? The government of Nigeria claims winning the war on corruption but is this statement backed by evidence”?, he asked
He faulted the reaction of government to past TI reports on Nigeria whereby CPI, CISLAC and all other critical citizens would be dismissed, branded as unpatriotic and some activists may even be physically attacked.
Instead of analytically discussing why Nigeria does not seem to be winning the war on corruption the government would even spend scarce resources and precious time on denying the obvious”.
To Rafsanjani, CISLAC and other CSOs are not the enemy of the state adding, that “we have been consistent in recognizing government successes where the credit is due”.
He enumerated areas where government must improve on its corruption fight which include the rule of law which he observed is selective where according to him, the rich and powerful do not play by the rules
Backlash against media and civil society damages Nigeria’s anti-corruption effort.
Another point he raised is institutionalised corruption in political parties and political integrity where it appeared that political process has been commercialised with its attendant consequences for enduring democracy in Nigeria
