Elections: ‘No more dirty politics’ – IPAC, NIPSS declare war on corruption2023 Presidential polls

ABUJA – In a bid to sanitize the nation’s political landscape, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) have declared war on corruption.

Speaking at a three-day workshop on institutionalizing behavioral approaches to reduce corruption in politics, on Thursday, IPAC Chairman Yusuf Mamman Dantalle emphasized the need for political parties to address issues of development and enhance the quality of life for citizens.

He said, “The fight against corruption aligns with the clear vision of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of all registered political parties: ‘To consolidate and deepen democracy by ensuring an environment conducive for successful elections, political stability, and a peaceful electoral process in Nigeria.’

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“There cannot be a conducive environment for successful elections and political stability if the polls are marred by irregularities, rigging, vote trading, and bribery to influence their outcomes. Electoral integrity is the onerous task political parties have set out to achieve for a better Nigeria.

“However, this lofty vision is being impeded by the monetization of the electoral process, exorbitant nomination fees that some credible aspirants cannot afford, and the ‘buying’ of delegates at congresses and conventions to nominate the preferred candidates of godfathers.

“We will continue to fight corruption in politics until it is eradicated in the polity.”

Prof. Ayo Omotayo, Director-General of NIPSS, noted that corruption is a pervasive issue affecting every aspect of the country’s existence.

He stressed the importance of behavioral change approaches in reducing corruption in politics.

Omotayo said, “No more dirty politics. We are determined to change the narrative from ‘politics is a dirty game’ to ‘sanitized politics for a better society.’

“Corruption is a pervasive issue affecting every aspect of the country’s existence.

“The National Institute strongly affirms that political parties are not only indispensable components of democracy but also central to the survival of the system in Nigeria.

“The goals of this noble project are to contribute to effective campaigns to reduce corruption in public and private sectors in Nigeria through behavior-change approaches.”

Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, Executive Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), represented by Stanley Ukpai, lamented the decline in women’s representation in politics, citing corruption as a significant obstacle.

She said, “Over the past three general elections in Nigeria, there has been a noticeable decline in women’s representation, reflecting a broader issue of gender disparity in political representation.

“Corruption has been cited in several scholarly studies as a significant obstacle to women’s full participation in politics.”

The workshop aims to develop a training curriculum that incorporates behavioral approaches to address corruption in Nigeria.