From Our Correspondent
As Nigeria marks her 64th Independence Anniversary, an advocacy group, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has identified the causes of bad governance and impediments to her development.
ThenewsZenith reports that the group gave this insight in a statement on the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
MMWG identified the leadership selection process, questionable provisions in the Nation’s Constitution and the weak or slow judicial process in dealing with economic crimes and corruption.
Another impediment, it noted, is the huge remuneration for political office holders, all inhibiting good governance.
In the statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alh Kamaldeen Akintunde, the MMWG noted that the first half of 32 years of Nigeria’s 64 years of Independence was better for Nigerians.
It noted that the early political leaders were patriotic and focused on the Nation’s development and progress. They also committed to the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.
But political leaders in the second half of 32 “were selfish, materialistic and unpatriotic”.
The group stated that Nigeria needed political reform whereby public officials would see themselves as serving the people.
“They should not see their position as an opportunity to amass wealth.”
It recommended severe punishment against corrupt people and those who commit economic crimes.
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“Granting bail to economic crimes offenders without any bench-mark has contributed to Nigeria’s under-development,” TheNewszenith quotes the statement as reading in part.
MMWG also advocated for the abolition of ‘Plea Bargaining’, saying “it is a licence for corruption”.
It explained that plea bargaining allows offenders to loot the treasury and pay back only 30 per cent of the loot.
It, therefore, called for an amendment to the Act on ‘Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ)’ to check corruptible tendencies in the Country.
On the leadership selection process, MMWG condemned God-fatherism whereby wealthy Nigerians sponsor unqualified and inexperienced people for public offices.
The group also advocated for a review of the electoral system to allow independent candidates to contest elections, beginning in 2027.
This, it noted, would ensure a dynamic electoral system and enhance good governance.
Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria also posited a constitutional amendment that would abolish the bi-camera legislature.
According to the group, scrapping the bi-camera legislation would save resources.
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