ON UN ANTI CORRUPTION DAY, IAP URGES
NIGERIA TO RATIFY AU CONVENTION
IAP is particularly concerned that Nigeria, one of the strongest
promoters
of NEPAD has not yet ratified the Convention.

LAGOS 9 DECEMBER 2004: As Nigerians join the rest of the world today
to mark the United Nations Anti Corruption day, Independent Advocacy
Project, IAP, the good governance group has again called on the
federal government to ratify the African Union Convention on
Preventing and Combating Corruption. The Convention was adopted by
African Heads of State, including President Olusegun Obasanjo in
Maputo, Mozambique in July 2003.

In a statement released yesterday in Lagos, IAP says it is imperative
that the Nigerian government sets in motion the process that will
lead to the ratification and domestication of this important regional
instrument, especially in light of the president's claim that
fighting corruption is one of his key programmes.

Drawing the link between the AU Convention and the New Partnership
for Africa's Development (NEPAD), IAP points out that ratifying the
Convention will assist the federal government in living up to its
NEPAD promises, including the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).
IAP is particularly concerned that Nigeria, one of the strongest
promoters of NEPAD has not yet ratified the Convention.

Says the good governance group: "The delay in ratifying this
Convention may send a wrong signal that the president is merely
paying lip service to fighting corruption. This is more so as the
Convention represents a regional consensus on what nations should do
in the areas of prevention, criminalization, international
cooperation and assets recovery. Among its corruption prevention
measures are requirements for the declarations of assets by public
officials, access to information and anti-corruption education"

These are some of the key governance areas that require urgent
attention. For instance, the Convention sets clear standards in the
area of assets declaration and ratifying the Convention will further
strengthen government hands in ensuring transparency in this area.
This is especially so at this time where allegations are rife that
several leading politicians, including Plateau State Governor Joshua
Dariye made false claims in their assets declaration forms. Besides,
corruption is endemic in the nation's political parties, while
billions of dollars pilfered by the late military dictator Sani
Abacha are still trapped in oversees banks.

IAP hereby urges the federal government to seize the opportunity of
this first World Anti Corruption day to announce its programme for
ratifying and domesticating both the Convention.

--
Independent Advocacy Project (IAP)
Second Floor, 17/19, Allen Avenue, Oshopey Plaza,
P.O.Box 10073, G.P.O. Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria
Tel: 234-1-4977101, 2341 7915198
e-mail: [email protected]
website: http://www.ind-advocacy-project.org