Corruption Perceptions Index 2019: “Anti-corruption war fails delivering results – Nigeria slides back in global corruption ranking” 23rd of January, 2020
Auwal Musa
Corruption Perceptions Index 2019: “Anti-corruption war fails delivering results – Nigeria slides back in global corruption ranking” 23rd of January, 2020
In Abuja: The 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released globally by Transparency International today reveals that Nigeria has further slipped down in the perception of corruption in 2019.
The newly released index published in Nigeria, exclusively by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International Chapter in Nigeria, reveals that Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 points in the 2019 CPI, falling back by one point compared to last year. In the country comparison, Nigeria ranks this year 146 out of 180 countries – two places down compared to 2018 results.
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. While the index does not show real incidences of corruption, it is a reliable indication of the perception of the Nigerian public and the international community about the state of corruption in the country. The index is 100% impartial, objective and globally well respected.
The negative result from this year provokes tough questions. Despite the proclaimed war on corruption, 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?
As every year, when results are not favourable to the Government, the CPI, CISLAC and all other critical citizens will 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 and her supporters will spend tax payers’ resources and precious time on denying the obvious – Nigeria does not make much progress in the fight against corruption!
CISLAC and other CSOs are not the enemy of the state! We have been consistent in recognising governmental successes where the credit is due. Since 2015, important reforms have been pursued and they have saved billions of Naira. The introduction of the Single Treasury Account eliminated enormous leakages in most MDAs, the launch of the Anti-Corruption Strategy has provided, for the first time ever, a clear national strategy on how to fight corruption. The rate of convictions on anti-corruption charges and the volume of confiscated assets has provided tangible deterrent to some corrupt officials. Introduction of the Know-Your-Customer policy in the financial sector has made it much harder to export proceeds of corruption abroad and may have reduced the rate of the billions of US dollars leaving Nigeria illegally every year. Some partial breakthroughs on the introduction of Beneficial Ownership database of true owners of Nigerian oil and gas sector provide some optimism that monumental corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas sector can be tackled at last.
These are tangible results, which the Government should be proud of. Why is it that despite these reforms, the image of Nigeria on corruption is so dismal? Here are some possible explanations.
1)Nigeria’s rule of law is selective – the rich and powerful do not play by the rules
All useful reforms in Nigeria are limited to those who cannot afford to ignore them. The pre-election period witnessed mind-blowing scandals, which stayed without consequences. Politicians stashing millions of dollars in kickbacks or having corruption charges upon them just need to switch political parties or stay loyal and charges are dropped against them. Despite evidences brought by brave media and civil society, prominent personalities in politics and business are untouchable by the Nigerian law enforcement and the executive.
2)Backlash against media and civil society damages Nigeria’s anti-corruption effort
Like previous years, last year witnessed further growth in civil society and media involvement and activism in anti-corruption. A lot more investigative journalists are risking their lives to expose corruption in procurement, constituency projects and government spending, while civil groups are collaborating to put pressure on government across the federal and local government levels to make duty bearers accountable. These efforts are helping to put corruption in the public consciousness and mobilize civic voices.
But the period also witnessed increased attacks on civil society and media. A perfect expression of corruption fighting back and government not doing enough to appropriate the partnership opportunities provided by renewed civic involvement in anti-corruption. We witnessed increased threats to civic space, targeted attacks and arrest of journalists and civil society activists. Exposing corruption of those in power was met with harassment and intimidation. One example was the attack on a journalist with the privately owned broadcaster, Rave Television, in Edo State, by a group of people on November 9, 2019. In another prominent example, Omoyele Sowore was dragged out of the court room while the judges were literally held at gunpoint by DSS. The whole world watched in shock as state apparatus became a major threat to public safety and justice in Nigeria.
3)Institutionalised corruption in political parties and political integrity
Nigeria’s system of governance and the foundations of democracy are for sale! We do not have political parties. We have platforms without ideology and any ideas to offer voters. Our politicians are masters of survival changing political parties as they please. Political party primaries are for sale to the highest bidder in a system of godfathers and criminals, who buy themselves the right to loot Nigeria from within the Government, National Assembly or other politically exposed positions. Nigeria won’t win the fight against corruption when corruption is institutionalised within the political party system. At various arms and levels of government, see routine and systematic abuse of office which by many government appointees that has been elevated to a position of being celebrated and yet government has decided to not even acknowledge the serious negative impact of this on the failure of its anti-corruption campaign to bear substantive results.
4)Poor understanding of the definition of corruption and how to tackle it
The authorities lack consistency and understanding on what corruption actually is. Corruption thrives with incompetency and lack of technical understanding in sectoral areas. Take the example of the disastrous privatisation of the energy sector or botched defence contracts. In an environment where senior officials are nominated, promoted and advanced based on ethnic, religious and nepotistic criteria, technical understanding of governance, including the fight against corruption, is a scarce commodity.
5)Anti-corruption legal and policy framework is underdeveloped
Despite legal and policy provisions for many aspects of anti-corruption, we still lack crucial laws and policies. Take the example of asset recovery, which the Government takes as a big success. Our management of confiscated assets is questionable, if not dubious. Government has not created a transparent and accountable mechanism for the management of recovered assets and loots. It does not brief Nigerians on the whereabout of the recovered assts and loots, where it is being used and how. Nigerians are yet to see the results from the use of the recovered assets, if they have at all been put to us.
It takes an average of 10 years to confiscate criminally obtained assets. Nigeria has no legal and policy framework which would enable accountable confiscated assets management. The Proceeds of Crime Act that we have been negotiating for over 10 years has not been signed by the Presidency, probably due to the resistance of the anti-corruption agencies, which do not want any accountable and transparent system. While few profits from the chaos, Nigeria continuous suffering.
6)Inability to implement recommendations on anti-corruption
It does not matter how we are ranked on anti-corruption. It is obvious that we are NOT making progress. Nigeria is the world leader in the number of poorest of the poor. Insecurity has become endemic everywhere in the country. The state of our roads, hospitals, schools is disastrous. One of the reasons is that we do not implement sound recommendations.
For example, government identifies procurement as the single source of corruption. It is inexplicable that the National Procurement Council (NPC) as provided in the Public Procurement Act is not in place! Government has a whistleblower policy, yet whistleblowers are attacked and sometimes even sent to jail! Even governmental data recently launched through the Second Bribery Survey shows that Nigerians do not report corruption because they are afraid of repercussions.
7)Corruption in vital sectors such as oil and gas and defence is endemic
As reported every year, Nigeria cannot make progress against corruption if some key sectors do not see rapid improvement. Anti-corruption in the defence and security sector is even openly loathed by some government officials. Illegal checkpoints, secretive army defence procurement and corrupt usage of security votes fuel insecurity and insurgency.
Corruption in the energy sector, education, health and others, may not be as evident as by the police or security services but it eats out the social fabric of Nigerians. Every generation of Nigerians comes in less educated, less healthy and worse prepared than the generation before!
This year, we will not repeat any recommendations. The Government must make sure that their own recommendations are followed. Civil Society and well-meaning Nigerians can suggest, but the Government has to lead the fight.
The Nigerian elite needs to reflect on the state of Nigeria and look at the foundations why we do not progress. Rule of law needs to apply to all, not just those who are powerless. Government sanctioned attacks on journalists and civil society discounts the little progress that we are making against corruption. Political parties and complete breakdown of political integrity are the real sources of Nigeria’s lack of progress.
Furthermore, we need to have an impartial discussion of what corruption is and how we can tackle it without political agenda behind it. The approach to legal and policy framework is dominated by hidden agendas. Those very corrupt who would be most affected if these laws and policies are implemented decide about the legal and policy instruments. We do not lack recommendations and technical solutions on anti-corruption, we lack the authority, which could enforce the implementation to the benefit of Nigerians.
In conclusion, corruption remains the biggest governance challenge in Nigeria with far reaching cost on democracy and public support and confidence in democratization in Nigeria. While government anti-corruption efforts in asset recovery are yielding results, the fundamentals necessary to ensure rule of law and freedom of expression of activists have not received enough attention. Anti-corruption stands the greatest chance of victory where there is collective action of citizens against corruption and strong collaboration between state and non-state actors; where there is no cherry-picking in terms of which corruption case to prosecute and the one not to be prosecuted; where there is alignment of purpose and commitment among the arms of Government - executive, legislature and judiciary, and where the anti-corruption campaign is transparent, inclusive and objective. There must be no room for untouchables; no matter how close to government, power or influence. The anti-corruption campaign must be total as well, leaving no sector out of the spotlight. Critical revenue making sectors must be covered - the central bank, the extractive sector, customs, Nigeria Ports Authority and others in the business of managing huge resources accruing to the nation. There must be increased transparency and accountability in the management and use of recovered assets. The rule of law must be upheld in the fight against corruption. Non-state actors must be allowed the right to enjoy freedom of expression and speak out without intimidation.
Governments can achieve greater improvement in anti-corruption by forging stronger collaboration and coordination with non-state actors involved in anti-corruption. We can achieve more working together than what is possible working in silos!
Therefore, we call on President Buhari to prioritize and support urgent political reforms including the overhaul of the supervision of political parties. We wish to reintegrate our call on Mr. President to immediately initiate comprehensive electoral reforms to restore the trust of citizens in democracy. Furthermore, judicial corruption must be confronted head-on. There is also an urgent need to pursue and press on with security sector reforms to stamp out corruption in the security sector. Lastly, economic reforms in the extractive sector has to be pursued without further delays or excuses.
Above all, we appeal to all Nigerians, especially those in power, not to attack and critize the results of the CPI but to use this time for a critical reflection on tangible ways to introduce real reforms. Corruption rankings alone do not eliminate poverty or improve security. However, they are indicators on the impact of the policies and the state of governance. We hope that we can use the CPI results and this moment for a genuine reflection about real and tangible improvements necessary to strengthen the fight against corruption.
CONTACT
Mr. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani
16 P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent, Off Solomon Lar Way, Behind Chida Hotel, Utako District, Abuja. Nigeria
Phone: (234) 0703 411 8266
Email: cis...@cislacnigeria.net
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)
Executive Director
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
Head of Transparency International (Nigeria)
Amnesty International (Nigeria)Board Chairman
No. 16A, House 3, P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent, Off Solomon Lar way,
Utako District, Abuja-Nigeria.
Website: www.cislacnigeria.net
Email: rafsa...@cislacnigeria.net, rafsanj...@gmail.com
GSM: +234-8033844646, +234-8052370333
SKYPE: rafsanjanikano
Global Office:
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CISLAC HAS UN ECOSOC CONSULTATIVE STATUS
Cornelius Hamelberg
Dear Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani),
Tusen tack for this comprehensive, multifaceted, well-balanced, eye-opening analysis. We can’t thank you enough. It’s a very welcome change from the abject pessimism and nihilism that characterizes those who, predictably, will soon be jumping on this report to claim that there has been no progress whatsoever since Brother Buhari declared war on corruption. As if blind or blinded, living so far away from heaven, they see no progress anywhere in Nigeria. We ought not to lose sight of the fact that the emphasis is on perception, mostly the domestic perception, Nigerians own perception of corruption in Nigeria. And how does anyone know exactly what’s going on, apart from the occasional impressive figures/ statistics on the recovery of astronomical amounts of what was looted, freshly expressed in Naira or pound sterling, and the bringing of some of the big-time looters to justice? It’s going to take a prolonged battle, to win the war.
A slight reservation that you should characterize the index as “100% impartial, objective…” calling into question the operational definitions of “impartial” and “objective”. Thank goodness, not omniscient, inerrant, incorruptible or infallible etc.
Nevertheless, thanks for the hopeful/ hope-filled paragraphs for good measure such as this one.
“We have been consistent in recognising governmental successes where the credit is due. Since 2015, important reforms have been pursued and they have saved billions of Naira. The introduction of the Single Treasury Account eliminated enormous leakages in most MDAs, the launch of the Anti-Corruption Strategy has provided, for the first time ever, a clear national strategy on how to fight corruption. The rate of convictions on anti-corruption charges and the volume of confiscated assets has provided tangible deterrent to some corrupt officials. Introduction of the Know-Your-Customer policy in the financial sector has made it much harder to export proceeds of corruption abroad and may have reduced the rate of the billions of US dollars leaving Nigeria illegally every year. Some partial breakthroughs on the introduction of Beneficial Ownership database of true owners of Nigerian oil and gas sector provide some optimism that monumental corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas sector can be tackled at last …
Indeed, as you say, “These are tangible results, which the Government should be proud of.”
Apart from decorating them with medals for honesty and bravery, we cannot continue to be merely proud that “A lot of more investigative journalists are risking their lives to expose corruption…”
What can the law and civil society - and indeed the international community do to protect whistle-blowers?
They say that “old habits die hard” and since corruption in Nigeria is also said to be endemic, is said to be part of the warp and woof of the interpersonal, Naija’s national and social, the Bank Managers’ day-to-day bread and butter issues, the economic, the rat race survival instinct, the, by all means, get rich quick ethic, the 419, and the political fabric. As Goodluck Jonathan once famously cried in utter despair, “ Boko Haram is everywhere!”
Of course, we were not expecting the instantaneous miracle of metamorphosis, the transubstantiation of the body, mind and soul of the beast, the transformation from absolute corruption to zero corruption to be achieved overnight…
Not only Nigeria, every year, every African country that has anti-corruption on the agenda waits with bated breath for Transparency International ‘s latest Corruption Perceptions Index to ascertain, verify, and certify the extent to which they have progressed in the world ranking.
If a country improves on the position it was stationed at according to last year’s world ranking, then Mister or Madame President and Mister or Madam Prime Minister, starts beating his or her chest and boasting, the boasting is usually followed by pleading that they be given a few more years, a few more terms in office to complete the job of exterminating the corruption altogether.
Should the country occupy a worse position than she did last year, that is, if she sinks in the world corruption ranking then the opposition starts either barking or hollering, “Ojare! How can this government tackle corruption, when the government itself is corrupt?”
This is what the SLPP’s presidential candidate said about the APC’s presidential candidate Ernest bai Koroma, on CNN in 2006, just before the presidential elections in Sierra Leone :
“When the APC or APC leader talks of corruption, it's very ridiculous. Because they institutionalized corruption. It was they who made corruption a way of life. (inaudible) were granted (inaudible), because they were very corrupt, and nobody was allowed to talk about it, nobody was allowed to say anything, because they were corrupt. It is (inaudible). Let us come and show them that corruption is not the right way to run the government.”
Of course, that’s what opposition parties do, they run their campaigns on being the good guys, the angels and saints, at the very least, the new broom that will sweep clean, believe me, will wipe out corruption. Right now in Sierra Leone, former, military junta leader Maada Bio is the new Mr. President, he is blowing his horn and like General Buhari turned civilian president, he is trying to wage a war against corruption in Sierra Leone. Corruption, popularly known as kalabule in Ghana.
If the country happens to be dangling somewhere near the bottomless pit, rubbing shoulders with the world champions in corruption, the government says, “ Well, at least we are not last, and we are by no means the most corrupt in the world !” and in many cases, not just the government, it is the duty the nationalists and patriots such as our dearly departed Brother Pius Adesanmi to assert in typical, boisterous, Nigerian vintage albeit both a challenge and a humblebrag, “Naija No Dey Carry Last!!!!”
One of the “things” that I have learned living in the Diaspora, is that it’s OK being Pan-Africanist and all that but when Jamaicans are discussing the corruption that’s going on back there in Jamaica, as happened recently in discussing the theme China has taken over Jamaica COMPLETELY, or as happened some time ago when I joined in , in the ritual condemnation of Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller, some of the brethren do not like it if some Pan -African brethren from another continent joins in the bashing of his beloved nation. For which reason, I always exercise considerable restraint even when somebody is being vile towards me and I have the means of ensuring that his nostrils get rubbed in some dog shit. Nuff said.
Another thing is that Nigerians are more united abroad than they are at home, but even then, it’s good to have an idea about the ethnicity of whoever it is that you are talking to, whether he’s from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon or the Congo….
Well, some years ago this was Louis Farrakhan on corruption in Nigeria
Things are moving in Nigeria. People are rising to the occasion in impressive ways: Professor Fayola’s detailed response to Amotekun, Anthony A. Akinola’s brilliant, even-handed “ Learning from the Nigerian Civil war” which benediction can only be fittingly concluded with an “ Amen” from all of us, and likewise the most astounding and statesmanlike assessment of it all, Amotekun does not put Nigeria’s fabric at risk by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu , no this your unsurpassable critique which Brother Buhari and his crew have to STUDY - even as we wait patiently for some final touches in the, long ongoing series, by Jibrin Ibrahim , and above all the dean of dean, and Oga of Ogas, AYO OLUKOTUN…
The Nordic Africa Institute should be interested in marvellous quality. I will be forwarding this your post to some relevant interested parties over here, such as our Sida ( which is not engaged in Nigeria) to International IDEA and such like persons and organisations – to add to their insight into the kinds of problems that have to be tackled in the very real situation
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Cornelius Hamelberg
Even the most painstaking collection of the data they have collected so far cannot really, truly quantify the corruption under their purview.
There is hope that the anti-corruption war being waged will be won, if all that is being brought to light in Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) commentary is given the urgent attention it deserves.
In his address to the nation on the occasion of Sierra Leone’s 46th Independence anniversary, President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah had, at least in theory proposed the following Seven National Values for his country "Resourcefulness, Excellence, Tolerance, Good Neighbourliness, Generosity, Honesty, Self-esteem” . That should have been enough to inspire a few people, among those that were listening, that understood what he was saying and most importantly had taken what he was saying, to heart
When the APC’s Ernest Bai Koroma took over from Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 2007, there was talk of “attitudinal change” and considerable effort was also expended in trying to “ rebrand” the tainted image of the country, the “ land of the free”
In the department of “consciousness-raising” (if consciousness raising is at all possible), we should like to hear the moral crusade being waged from the pulpit – by people like Bishop Kukah and Pentecostal millionaire pastors like Adeboye and T.B. Joshua.
Islam is completely against corruption. Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, said to be Islam’s very first socialist was banished to the desert for preaching against nepotism and corruption. It goes without saying, therefore that the moral, anti-corruption jihad from the minbar should continue without interruption…