The Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, has announced the deployment of its officials countrywide to monitor public officials participating in the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
Chairman of the CCB, Professor Isah Mohammed, who briefed the press in company of his commissioners, including Hon EJ Agbonayinma (in charge of monitoring and publicity), said the special monitoring activity was backed by the Act setting up the Bureau.
He said the category of public officers to be monitored were listed in Part II of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republuc of Nigeria.
According to him, “the CCB is mandated by the provisions of paragraph 3(d) and (e) of Part I of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to ensure compliance and where appropriate, enforce the provisions of Code of Conduct or any law related;
“To receive complaints about noncompliance with breach of the provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law in relation to, investigate the complaints and where appropriate, refer such matters to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”
The CCB chairman said that infractions by public officers on which the monitoring activity would focus are conflict interest, abuse of power, bribery, and acceptance of gifts, except that recognised by law.
He said that the monitoring of the 2023 general polls was a commitment towards ensuring that President Muhammadu Buhari leaves behind a legacy of freest, fairest, and most credible election ever conducted in the electoral history of Nigeria.
He said the CCB would work collaboratively with other sister anti-graft agencies to bring about or achieve the desired results.
Mohammed stated that the monitoring activity would ve carried out on the 36 states and the FCT.
He explained that the activity would be carried out in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the 2023 General Elections Guidelines and such extant laws and circulars governing the conduct of elections.
Specifically, the Bureau said, “we shall observe whether or not a public officer in this exercise has put himself or herself on a position where his or her personal interest conflicts with the duties and responsibilities assigned to him or her.
“Observe whether or not an officer in this exercise asks fir or accepts any benefits of any kind in the discharge if his or her duties”; or “receive any inducement or bribe in the discharge of this exercise”
It will also observe whether or not a public officer in this exercise abuses his or her office or does any act prejudicial to the rights of any other person contrary to electoral principles and practices.
