The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to maintain the momentum generated by his administration in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Recognising his prompt response to the NSIPA financial scandal by suspending minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and initiating a thorough probe, the CNG emphasised the need for meticulous investigation and full implementation of the recommendations that may arise.
In a statement by the national coordinator of CNG, Jamilu Aliyu Charanci, and made available to LEADERSHIP Friday, in Abuja, yesterday, the coalition said it is essential to ensure that the tempo does not dissipate, as it has already reignited citizens’ confidence in the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s resources.
“The speed at which President Tinubu has responded to the national call for action is a testament to his dedication to re-engineering the system by strengthening its weakened institutions,” said the national coordinator.
The group specifically highlighted the importance of strengthening the policy coordination unit led by Hadiza Bala Usman to guarantee that each minister adheres to due diligence and ethical conduct in their respective roles.
CNG emphasized that corruption and lack of leadership direction are the main factors hindering Nigeria’s progress and preventing it from achieving its full potential. The coalition believes that if the current administration can sustain its fight against corruption and strengthen the nation’s institutions, it has the potential to restore sanity in governance and distinguish itself from the misgovernance of the past.
“For too long, corruption and lack of effective leadership have hampered Nigeria’s progress, derailing it from the path of glory and development. It is high time we address these issues head-on and pave the way for a brighter future,” it said.
The coalition acknowledged the efforts made by the current administration in the fight against corruption noting however that sustaining and strengthening this fight against corruption, while simultaneously bolstering the institutional capacities of the nation’s security assets, is crucial.
It said by continuing to root out corruption and enhancing the capacity of security agencies, the Nigerian government can restore faith in governance and build a solid foundation for prosperity, adding that this will not only benefit the current administration but also leave a lasting legacy that will be remembered long after President Tinubu’s term.
The CNG urged the government to take bold measures to strengthen the nation’s security assets and called on the administration to utilise its authority and resources to enforce the rule of law and ensure that corrupt individuals are held accountable for their actions.
Furthermore, the CNG warned against trivialising the efforts of eradication of corruption by some regional groups sponsored to give the ongoing investigations a tribal and religious coloration.