The APC and Labour Party clash over Nigeria’s 36th rank in Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring 26 points. The Labour Party criticizes the APC government for failing to tackle corruption, while the APC defends its reform efforts. Transparency International’s findings highlight the persistent global corruption challenge, with significant implications for both governance and public trust in Nigeria.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Labour Party are at odds over Nigeria’s recent ranking as the 36th most corrupt nation globally, according to Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. Nigeria shares this position with countries such as Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq, and Cameroon, receiving a score of 26 points. In stark contrast, Denmark led the rankings as the least corrupt nation with 90 points, followed by Finland and Singapore.
Transparency International’s Chair, Francois Valeria, emphasized the pervasive nature of corruption in many nations but acknowledged positive changes in some systems worldwide. He pointed out that corruption poses a significant barrier to effective climate action and noted that 148 nations have either stagnated or seen an increase in corruption levels since 2012.
In response to the ranking, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, criticized the APC government for its failure to effectively combat corruption, indicating that such malpractice has worsened since the previous administration. He contended that government anti-corruption agencies focus inappropriately on internet fraud while overlooking systemic issues within governmental operations.
Ifoh also remarked that the previous administration’s whistleblowing policy is no longer functioning effectively, stating, “We have not seen any major political office holder tried for corruption. Nothing has come out of the investigation into the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.” In contrast, the APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, defended the government’s integrity efforts under President Bola Tinubu.
Duru asserted that the current administration is actively implementing reforms to diminish corruption, including taxation reforms and direct funding to local governments to promote accountability. He claimed that these initiatives facilitate better governance directly reaching the populace. Furthermore, regarding the Transparency International ranking, Duru noted that the Nigerian government was not privy to the ranking’s data sources and will refrain from disputing its findings until further evidence is presented.
The ongoing debate over Nigeria’s corruption ranking reflects a deep-seated conflict between the ruling APC and opposition Labour Party. While the Labour Party criticizes the government’s inability to combat corruption effectively, the APC insists on its reformative measures aimed at improving accountability in governance. The ramifications of this ranking may influence both public perception and governmental efforts moving forward.
Original Source: punchng.com
