This appeal was made at a press conference held by group on Monday where they declared their unequivocal support for the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Abdulrasheed Bawa.
The Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), a coalition of 25 pan-Yoruba groups, has urged the Nigerian “President-elect”, Bola Tinubu to put fighting of corruption as the top agenda of his government.
This appeal was made at a press conference held by group on Monday where they declared their unequivocal support for the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Abdulrasheed Bawa.
The group alleged that if Bawa was removed, it would truncate the strength of the commission to keep fighting corruption in the country.
They, therefore, urged Tinubu and other elected political officers to be concerned about putting an end to corruption for the sake of socio-economic growth of Nigeria as a country.
The statement reads: “ONAC in the briefing read by ONAC Officials, Mr Popoola Ajayi and Mr Babatunde Adeleke said corruption remains one of the major problems at the root of Nigerian problems. We are here to raise our voices with one theme: Nigerians Must Compel The President Elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and other Newly Elected State Governors, National and State Lawmakers to fight corruption decisively if not, Nigeria risks going into pieces.
“It cautioned against interfering in the anti-corruption agencies saying such would portray the incoming administration as supporting and aiding graft.
“Nigeria needs strong institutions. We must never allow the EFCC to be subjected to political influences, the coalition said. ONAC said it regretted that politicians have in fact been insisting that the EFCC Chairman be removed.
“If the incoming administration is committed to fighting corruption, it will be suspicious if it falls into the hands of EFCC detractors. While we recognise the shortcomings of the EFCC, we are also conscious of the historic intervention of the anti-graft agency in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria.”
The group said it is on this basis that the coalition joins the growing national call to safe the EFCC from political interference.
“We are currently working with other organisations across the country, especially ethnic groups in the Niger-Delta, Middle Belt, North West and North East to mobilise against any attempt to impose a rookie on the EFCC for political reasons. The ethnic groups represent the culture, values and heritage of Nigerians.
“We are in the best position to resist this attempt to remove the EFCC Chairman for political reasons.”
ONAC said it rejected entirely the call for the resignation or sack of the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
“The removal of the head of such a strategic organisation cannot be in the interest of Nigerians at this moment. We on the other hand call on politically exposed persons to stop the attacks on the EFCC.
“Bawa should be allowed to complete the ongoing investigations against some important political figures including those in the ruling party, APC who are desperate to ensure the removal of the EFCC Chairman hiding under the illogical proposition that he has failed to obey Court Orders.
“In law, if the EFCC Chairman fails to obey court order, the aggrieved should file contempt proceedings; jumping to the rash conclusion that he should be removed is unreasonable, self-serving and unproductive.
“Considering the circumstances that the President Elect, Bola Tinubu, emerged in the February 25 poll, the vicious campaigns against him especially with references to corruption, we call on him to realise that all eyes are on him.
“ONAC said corruption remains one of the most important agenda that must be fought by Nigerians. Corruption fuels poverty, deprivation, hunger and social disequilibrium. Corruption breeds misery, stirs crisis and may instigate war. Corruption is responsible for terrorism and extremism by thousands of youths who are disillusioned, poorly educated and desperate to survive by all means possible. Why we are concerned about the National Elections, It should be of importance to us what those elected have put together to achieve with public resources that law has empowered them to manage.”