President, govs should answer for graft while in office, Arewa says

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for the removal of the immunity clause so that presidents and governors can be held accountable for graft offences, while in office.

The ACF said that to stop impunity and corruption among public office holders, the immunity clause in the nation’s constitution should be removed to allow for their arrest and prosecution for corrupt practices.

Chairman of the forum, and a former Inspector General of Police Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie who canvassed for a drastic reform of the political process and the judicial system, said the reforms has become imperative to safeguard the nation’s democracy.

He spoke at an International Conference on ‘Deepening Democracy Through Elections in Nigeria: An Assessment’ organised by the Department of Political Science and International Studies of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

According to him, the removal of public office holders’ immunity, will help in sanitising the electoral process and reduce abuse of office.

“It is time to expunge this immunity clause in the constitution or amend it to give the President and governors only immunity from civil litigations. This is one of the many steps that will help sanitise not only the electoral process, but reduce the abuse of office that have become the hallmark of elected public office holders in Nigeria”, he said

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He continued, as chief law officers, they are expected to be above board. From 1999 to date, this has not been the case. The democratic process has been characterised by impunity, disregard for service delivery and high levels of corruption.”

Speaking on the 2015 elections, Coomasie said: “From one source alone, a staggering $2.1billion earmarked for procurement of arms to fight insurgency in the North-east was diverted to secure the electoral victory of the PDP.

“Indicators suggest that most government agencies and departments were forced to cough out funds to aid in the electoral victory of the PDP, making it the most expensive election in the nation’s history.”

The ACF Chairman also called for abolition of the State Independent Electoral Commissions saying local government elections should be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which should computerise all electoral processes to allow for absolute credibility.

Earlier his address, ABU Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba said it was time for the academia to rise up and shape public discuss through conferences like this.

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