The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has warned politicians not to file “frivolous petitions” against their opponents ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The ICPC accused some politicians of trying to outdo their opponents by weaponizing anti-corruption authorities with politically motivated petitions, stressing that the agency would not fall for such attempts.
Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman of the ICPC, issued this warning on Friday while hosting the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Owasanoye stated that it was not the anti-graft agency’s responsibility to prevent anyone from running for office.
“Usually, when competition season arrives, there is a spike in politically motivated petitions for wild-goose chases,” he remarked. Some are bold enough to tell you that we must prevent Mr. A from running for office, and that they will file a petition to do so.
“That is not our responsibility, and we will not become engaged in such matters.” We basically set such petitions away. Even if the complaint implies merit, we will say go ahead and compete first.
“We are not going to be utilised to offer you a fair or unfair edge.” When the competition is over, we shall make a decision on the merits or otherwise of what you have proposed.”
The ICPC chairman, on the other hand, stated that the anti-graft agency already has an agreement with the Independent National Electoral Commission on how to handle genuine electoral petitions when the need arises.
“We do have an understanding with INEC that in cases when competitors dispute each other in court and the decision indicates, for example, that somebody fabricated a certificate, INEC would submit such items to us, and we are prosecuting a number of them right now,” he added.
“Those are the methods in which we will offer value without compromising ourselves or exposing our officers to the compromise and desperation of politicians during the campaign.”
Owasanoye also urged political parties to do self-evaluations of the candidates they field, noting that a country’s fortunes are determined by the type of leaders it elects.
He stated that the process of pruning should begin with political parties, as “charity should begin at home.”
Sani Yabagi, Chairman of IPAC, had claimed that the purpose of the visit was to ensure that politicians of doubtful character were not elected into government by effective collaboration and support from the anti-graft agency.
“All stakeholders must buy into the actions that will lead to the creation of a government that will preside over the affairs of our nation in order to have free, fair, and credible elections in 2023,” Yabagi added.
“We believe that if we can get the leadership recruitment right, which will come from the due diligence we are expected to carry out, they (political office holders) will conduct themselves in a manner that will give this country the kind of respect that we are expected to showcase in the eyes of the committee of nations, that is by ensuring that governance is free from all shades of corruption.”
