Abuja: A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mohammed Ndarani, has urged the Federal Government to bar retired civil servants from contesting for any elective position for at least one year following their retirement.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ndarani made the call during a news conference in Abuja, citing the need for anti-corruption agencies to conduct thorough examinations of the assets declared by these individuals before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). He emphasized the importance of ensuring that these declarations reflect true asset values as the 2027 elections approach.
Ndarani expressed concern over individuals with political ambitions entering the electoral fray, spanning from local government levels to the presidency. He highlighted the potential emergence of retired civil servants or those resigning from public service as political candidates, questioning whether their assets are routinely investigated post-service compared to when they initially joined the public sector.
He lamented that while public servants are mandated to declare their assets under the CCB, compliance is rare unless specific investigations are warranted. He criticized the disregard for the Electoral Act 2022, particularly Section 88(2-7), which outlines limits on election expenses, noting that these regulations are often ignored.
Ndarani argued that non-compliance with CCB regulations contributes to the pervasive corruption in the public service. He condemned the practice of public officials refusing to declare their assets, describing it as a significant factor enabling corruption.
Highlighting the impunity with which some politicians operate, Ndarani noted their tendency to accumulate wealth illicitly during their service, anticipating a future in politics. This behavior, he asserted, leads to the misuse of public funds intended for development projects, diverting them into personal accounts.
Ndarani proposed that all political office holders, whether seeking re-election or not, should be scrutinized to determine the origins of their current assets and incomes. He underscored the necessity of such investigations, especially when there are indications of inexplicably large accumulations of wealth.
He extended this recommendation to include all heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) who have retired or been relieved of their duties, advocating for investigations regardless of their political ambitions.
Ndarani stressed that corruption is a significant barrier to Nigeria’s progress, calling for enhanced accountability to prevent the diversion of public resources. He urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable and actively engage in civic life.
In anticipation of the 2027 general elections, Ndarani urged anti-graft agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the interest groups mentioned to curb corruption before and after elections. He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to incorporate his legal opinions into the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to prevent corrupt leaders from attaining political office.
Concluding, Ndarani advised the president to establish measures to prevent retired public officials from utilizing illicit funds for election campaigns.
