The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) have expressed concerns over the reported involvement of serving heads of federal government agencies and parastatals in partisan political activities. They alleged that some agency chiefs are mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 presidential election bid. CISLAC and HURIWA fear that this could undermine the neutrality of public institutions and create potential conflicts of interest.
According to CISLAC, the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Agencies and Parastatals reportedly pledged to mobilise 10 million votes for Tinubu. This has raised serious questions about the use of public institutions for partisan political activities. CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, noted that political corruption should not only be viewed from the perspective of diversion or theft of public funds.
Rafsanjani explained that the abuse of entrusted public authority, government programmes, institutional influence, and official resources for partisan advantage could also constitute political corruption. He emphasised that chief executives of government agencies exercise control over public funds, personnel, contracts, programmes, regulatory powers, and institutional networks that are entrusted to them for public service. These resources, he stressed, should not be converted into political assets for any incumbent administration, candidate, or political party.
However, Rafsanjani acknowledged that appointment to public office does not automatically deprive citizens of their constitutional rights to freedom of association and political participation. He stressed that such rights must be exercised within the legal and ethical responsibilities attached to public office. CISLAC cited Section 99(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits the use of state apparatus to advantage or disadvantage a political party or candidate.
CISLAC warned that serving agency heads should not use public funds, official vehicles, government offices, staff time, databases, beneficiary lists, contractors, procurement relationships, communication platforms, employment opportunities, or government programmes for electoral campaigning. The organisation called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to issue a clear warning to heads of ministries, departments, agencies, and parastatals against the partisan use of public institutions and resources.
CISLAC also urged the relevant authorities to investigate credible allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office, diversion of public resources, or improper use of institutional authority. The organisation emphasised that any chief executive found, after proper investigation and due process, to have deployed agency resources or official powers for campaign purposes should face sanctions provided by the law.
The development has sparked concerns about the neutrality of public institutions in Nigeria's electoral process. Key stakeholders are watching closely as the ICPC, CCB, and EFCC consider CISLAC's requests. The outcome of this situation may have far-reaching implications for the country's democratic process and the role of public institutions in elections.
Key points
- Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre and Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria demand action against agency heads allegedly involved in mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.
- The groups cite Section 99(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits the use of state apparatus to advantage or disadvantage a political party or candidate.
- The ICPC, CCB, and EFCC are urged to investigate allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office, and improper use of institutional authority.
