The leadership of the Policy Advocacy and Integrity Network Nigeria and other civil society organisations have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to spare the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in its decision to dissolve boards of agencies.
Tinubu recently approved the immediate dissolution of the governing boards of all federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government-owned companies.
But the group, in a statement yesterday, signed by its executive director, Engr Joshua F. Mesele, said the dissolution ought not affect agencies which establishment requires concurrent approval by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While commending the government in making decisions that have positively impacted the country’s economic base, especially after the official removal of the hydra-headed fuel subsidy regime, he called on the government to spare the ICPC board.
He said, “One such PAC that ought not be affected is the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as the fight against corruption is of a genuine concern, and we as members of the Civil Society have a duty to safeguard and protect the integrity and independence of such government institutions whose activities should remain wholesome at their management levels.
“Therefore, we call on the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure that the dissolution by the President does not affect all boards, whose independence is to be protected the rule of law, and by international best practice. The ICPC Board should be spared in this context.”
“The administration of Tinubu has shown enormous respect for the rule of law, and we believe such actions must be commended.
“The fight against corruption is real, and it is our duty as members of the civil society to ensure strict adherence to the rule of law while guarding our democracy jealously,” he added.
