Civil Society Coalition Against Corruption (CSNAC) has implored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to keep politicians under watch as the 2015 elections approach, because it is in an election year they raise their game of corruption.
Ibrahim Lamorde
CSNAC Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, charged the EFCC to monitor government projects, contracts and allocations to ensure judicious application of resources in states and councils as “politicians are prone to embezzling and diverting funds in preparation for electoral manipulation.”
The group also bemoaned the communal clashes in Nasarawa State, expressing concern that they have reached dangerous proportions.
“As bloody clashes between Eggon and Alago communities on the one hand and Fulani settlements on the other continue unabated in Lafia Local Government Area, an ugly spectre of similar communal violence was witnessed on January 9, 2013 following renewed feud between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers which led to the destruction of lives and property worth millions of naira as well as displacement of more than 15,000 inhabitants,” Suraju recalled.
He added that apart from repeated clashes between Fulani herdsmen and other ethnic groups, which lead to the death of several persons, there are also violent conflicts between the Tiv and other ethnic groups in the South Senatorial District of Nasarawa as well as isolated violent conflicts involving Agatu militia in parts of the state.
Suraju expressed concern that corruption in government, “manifested in the impunity of political office holders,” cannot guarantee a peaceful resolution of the crises that are at the root of the violence.
He lamented that apart from the fact that some of the crises are instigated through political manipulation of security apparatuses, the major actors are shielded from investigation and prosecution.
The clash between Ombatse and Alago tribes has led to the displacement of about 30,000 persons, mostly women and children, who have fled to neighbouring communities in Benue State.
