The workshop, themed “Transparency and Accountability: Effective Legislative Tools Towards Successful Mandate Delivery,” highlighted the need for legislators to maintain high ethical standards in both public and private capacities.
Aliyu emphasized the ICPC’s readiness to collaborate with state legislative bodies to combat corruption, reiterating the commission’s dedication to its three-pronged mandate: enforcement, prevention, and public education.
“We are prepared to partner with state legislatures in the fight against corruption, as we have with other government branches. However, we will not hesitate to impose sanctions when necessary,” Aliyu stated.
He stressed the legislature’s crucial role in democratic governance, particularly in overseeing the executive branch to ensure laws intended to improve living standards are effectively implemented.
Legislators must perform their oversight functions within legal boundaries and prioritize the nation’s interest, as demonstrated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, over personal and collective interests.
Aliyu underscored the importance of the separation of powers, warning against encroaching on executive and judiciary functions, which undermines democracy and good governance.
He urged legislators to embrace transparency and accountability, essential for detecting and addressing waste, inefficiency, and corruption.
Haruna Dangyatin, Speaker of the Jigawa House of Assembly, represented by Deputy Speaker Sani Abubakar, lauded the workshop’s timing and pledged the assembly’s support in the ICPC’s anti-corruption efforts through effective legislation and oversight.
Richard Bello, acting Director of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), highlighted the critical role of the legislative arm in the anti-corruption crusade, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts across all sectors to combat corruption effectively.
“The fight against corruption has reached a crucial stage, and it requires the collective effort of all societal segments,” Bello asserted.
