CISLAC PRESS RELEASE: "CISLAC CALLS FOR VIGILANCE AND CONCERTED EFFORTS TO FORESTALL DIVERSION OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR POLITICAL PARTY CAMPAIGN FINANCING"

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre notes with great concern, the alleged efforts by cronies propped up by the presidency to compel Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to facilitate the release of funds from their statutory allocations for the oiling of the campaign machinery of President Goodluck Jonathan. The media reports to this effect carried in some Nigerian Newspapers are yet to be denied and the details provided in the publications lend substantial credence to the allegations.

CISLAC is astounded at the level of impunity and audacious diversion of resources meant to provide development for the furtherance of the political ambition of individuals. This is in spite of the deficit already characteristic of our annual budgets and the deficiency in allocations and expenditures for capital projects in successive budgets.

We remind those behind these efforts that their actions are illegal and a violation of all the laws and regulations governing public expenditure management in Nigeria. The absence of an appropriation Act 2014, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the various civil service financial regulations make such acts punishable. CISLAC therefore notes that the ascending levels of corruption and impunity, is again assuming unprecedented dimensions.