CSO’s Demand Dismissal Of Governors Suit Against Local Government Autonomy.

Group of Civil Society Organisations including Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC) call on Supreme court to disregard the Suit filed by some State Governors challenging the Establishment of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and others.

The call was made in a Joint Press briefing by the Coalition of the Civil Society Groups lead by the Executive Director CISLAC Musa Rafsanjani in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.

Rafsanjani said that it is observed that the case currently before the supreme Court is not just legal battle but a battle for Nigeria’s Anti Corruption efforts.

The Coalition COS ‘s focused on Anti – Corruption and Good Governance, stressing the actions of all the governors threaten the Fight against Corruption and Undermine Local Government Autonomy, a key Pillar of the grassroot democracy.

The Executive Director CISLAC describe the governors action as the most boldest efforts to frustrate and cripple the effectiveness of the Nigeria’s Anti- Corruption fight.

Rafsanjani revealed that the implications of this action could lead to the blacklisting and gradually the suspension of Nigeria by the Financial Task Force ( FATE).

He stated that the battle will also have disregard for the rule of Law and erode the progress Nigeria has made in establishing Institutions that hold Public Officials accountable.

The organisation argued that Nigeria’s Constitution and other Laws form the bedrock of the Country’s Anti Corruption strive.

Similarly the Executive Director of the YIAGA Africa Mr. Samson Itodo, added that a nation without accountability is on the Path to moral and economic decay.

Nigerians must stand united in defending the work of EFCC ICPC and other Agencies tasked with safeguarding public funds.

Olusola Akintonde