Former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Bishop Mathew Kukah, founder of The Kukah Centre (TKC), addressed issues of political corruption and institutional weaknesses in Nigeria during a high-level meeting in Abuja organized by TKC.
Ganduje, currently involved in a corruption case in Kano, emphasized the importance of strengthening institutions rather than solely blaming politicians and public officeholders. He highlighted the pervasive nature of corruption across various sectors, including the electoral process overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Ganduje pointed out that even voters sometimes engage in dishonest practices, complicating efforts to ensure free and fair elections.
“The major problem we have in Nigeria is that of weak institutions,” Ganduje remarked. “Political parties are also weak, and because of this weakness, corruption thrives.”
Moderating a panel discussion, Bishop Kukah emphasized the need for Nigerians to learn from past mistakes and actively contribute to building stronger institutions. He underscored that institutions such as the judiciary and bureaucracy are still evolving and require collective efforts to uphold their integrity and effectiveness.
“Institutions are supposed to reflect the aspirations, fears, hopes, and anxieties of the people,” Kukah stated. “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that these institutions operate according to their principles.”
Kukah also praised the European Union’s efforts in Nigeria, particularly in enhancing democracy through initiatives like the Political Party Management Toolkit (PPMT).
The discussions at the meeting aimed to foster dialogue on combating corruption and enhancing institutional integrity for the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
