Pass the Whistleblower Protection Bill Now, ANEEJ tells FG
BENIN CITY, July 17, 2024… Amidst economic hardship and the incessant corruption scandals and misappropriation of public funds by public officeholders, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), a leading anti-corruption has strongly urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to pass the Whistleblower Protection Bill.
ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev David Ugolor, made this call today in Benin City, in response to the recent report “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends” by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report reveals a significant shift in the fight against corruption, with over 70% of Nigerians refusing to pay bribes in 2023.
Ugolor urged the National Assembly led by Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio to seize the momentum revealed by this report and pass the Whistleblower Protection Bill, emphasizing that Nigerians have had enough and are ready to contribute to the fight against corruption in the country.
“We are at a pivotal moment, the courage displayed by Nigerians in refusing to pay bribes is a clear signal that they are ready to support robust anti-corruption measures and reforms. However, to sustain and amplify this progress, the government must do the needful and pass the Whistleblower Protection Bill. This legislation will ensure that those who speak out against corruption are shielded from retaliation, thus empowering more citizens to join the fight.”
Ugolor continued, highlighting the immense benefits of passing the Whistleblower Protection Bill in the fight against corruption. “It will create an environment where honest citizens and public officials can report corrupt practices without fear, thereby fostering transparency and accountability. As the saying goes, ‘A stitch in time saves nine.’ By protecting whistleblowers, Nigeria can now prevent the far-reaching consequences of unchecked corruption.”
The landmark report “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends” underscores a growing trend of anti-corruption sentiment among Nigerians. It shows a nation increasingly ready to stand up against corrupt practices. With fewer citizens facing negative consequences after refusing bribes (38% in 2023 compared to 49% in 2019) and a rise in the reporting of bribery incidents to official institutions (from 3.6% in 2019 to 8.6% in 2023), it is evident that Nigerians are more willing to confront corruption head-on.
“Over the years, amidst the people’s economic hardship, we continue to see civil and public servants looting billions of naira without severe sanctions. We have watched a culture of impunity grow into a norm where even when we see new cases, we take it as an everyday situation. This can no longer be accepted,” said Ugolor. “The bill will help Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) identify these threats and impediments to our great nation early on and deal with them accordingly. The only reason Nigeria has not been able to measure up to nations in the global north and, increasingly, some African nations is because of the pervasive issue of corruption. We need to address this now, or I shudder to think of what our once great nation of Nigeria will become in the next two decades if this threat continues unabated,”Ugolor remarked
ANEEJ urges the Nigerian government to act swiftly. The time is ripe to harness the current anti-corruption momentum and translate it into concrete legislative action. This will not only bolster the confidence of Nigerians in their government’s commitment to fighting corruption but also pave the way for a more just and equitable society.
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