CSOs decry Maina’s reinstatement, question Buhari’s anti-graft war

Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have condemned the Federal Government’s decision to reinstate former Chairman of defunct Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, into the civil service
The groups said the reinstatement has put into doubt the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, in a statement yesterday exonerated himself from the reinstatement, saying Maina was posted on to fill a vacancy created following the retirement of the Director heading the Human Resources Department in the Ministry.
He blamed Maina’s recall on the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Federal Civil Service Commission.
This development has incurred the wrath of Civil Society Organisations who question the potency of the anti-corruption mantra of the current administration.
The coordinator, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, Olanrewaju Suraj, said the reinstatement signifies a major setback in the fight against corruption.
“This is a setback not only for the anti-corruption war but also for some of us who have been advocating against corruption,” he said while speaking to Premium Times on phone.
“It is completely demoralising and also before the international community, it pitches the anti-corruption war as a mere fluke that is been used by this government without any commitment or sincerity.
“It further explains that it is only EFCC that is genuinely fighting corruption and government is merely latching on the achievements of EFCC.”
Suraju accused the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, as the architect of reinstatement of a civil servant who had “disobeyed the three arms of government.”
Similarly, the Coordinator, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, Chido Onumah, noted that the anti-corruption war becomes a problem when the government keeps working for and against itself.
“It’s quite unfortunate. Sometimes you wonder why the federal government continues to shoot itself in the foot when it comes to the war against corruption.
“It creates problem for the government because corruption is not only about perception, it’s about belief. If people don’t feel that the government is sincere about the fight against corruption, it becomes problematic.”

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