CNYGG Stands with Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Insists NiDCOM Audit Queries Must Follow Due Process

TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE

CNYGG DEFENDS NiDCOM, CAUTIONS GIW AGAINST POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AND UNFOUNDED PUBLIC ACCUSATIONS

The Concern Nigerian Youths for Good Governance (CNYGG) has observed with serious concern the recent allegations and public scrutiny directed at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) by Global Integrity Watch (GIW), particularly concerning reported audit observations and expenditure associated with the Commission’s activities.

While CNYGG firmly supports transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources, we caution GIW and other civil society organisations against turning legitimate accountability advocacy into a platform for political persecution, reputational damage or the unnecessary destabilisation of public institutions.

AN AUDIT QUERY IS NOT A CONVICTION

We wish to emphasise that an audit observation, financial discrepancy or request for clarification must not automatically be interpreted as evidence of fraud, corruption or misappropriation.

GIW’s reported concerns involving approximately ₦1.409 billion in aggregated audit observations require careful examination of the underlying transactions, management responses and relevant documentary evidence. The figure itself must not be presented as proof that the money was stolen.

CNYGG therefore urges GIW to exercise restraint, professionalism and fairness in its public communications. Any allegation of financial misconduct must be supported by verifiable evidence and subjected to the appropriate investigative and oversight processes.

WE STAND WITH INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND DUE PROCESS

NiDCOM is a public institution established to engage Nigerians in the diaspora, promote their welfare and strengthen their contribution to national development. Its mandate is important to Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and international engagement.

The Commission, under the leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, deserves the opportunity to address legitimate questions through the appropriate statutory channels without being subjected to premature public condemnation.

We acknowledge NiDCOM’s publicly stated position that it is prepared to present relevant records to the National Assembly and the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation when formally required.

We encourage the Commission to continue cooperating with lawful oversight processes and to provide the necessary explanations and supporting documentation to resolve outstanding audit observations.

Equally, we expect GIW to distinguish between questions requiring clarification and established wrongdoing. Fairness demands that the public hear the evidence, consider the response and allow the relevant authorities to reach their conclusions.

GIW MUST NOT ALLOW ITSELF TO BECOME A POLITICAL TOOL

CNYGG is particularly concerned about the possibility that anti-corruption campaigns could be exploited by individuals or interests seeking to discredit public officeholders or undermine government institutions for political reasons.

We therefore caution GIW against allowing its platform to be used, directly or indirectly, as an instrument of political vendetta against NiDCOM, its leadership or any other Nigerian public institution.

The fact that GIW’s Executive Director, Comrade Abraham Temitayo Adewoye, is reported to have held executive engagements in London raises legitimate questions about the organisation’s institutional presence, funding transparency, governance arrangements and accountability to the Nigerian public.

However, CNYGG emphasises that an organisation’s location outside Nigeria does not, by itself, establish improper conduct or political manipulation. Rather, GIW should be prepared to demonstrate the credibility of its operations, the integrity of its methods and the evidence underpinning its public allegations.

We call on the organisation to disclose relevant information about its governance and funding arrangements where appropriate, operate transparently and ensure that its activities are guided exclusively by verifiable evidence and the public interest.

Nigeria’s institutions must not become convenient targets for campaigns whose claims cannot withstand independent scrutiny.

THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION MUST NOT BECOME A FIGHT AGAINST INSTITUTIONS

CNYGG believes that accountability and institutional stability are not mutually exclusive. Nigeria needs strong public institutions that can be scrutinised fairly, investigated lawfully and strengthened through evidence-based reforms.

Civil society organisations have an important role to play in promoting good governance. Nevertheless, that responsibility comes with an obligation to avoid sensationalism, respect the presumption of innocence and refrain from presenting unresolved audit matters as conclusive findings of criminal wrongdoing.

We therefore urge GIW to:

1. Ensure that every public allegation is supported by credible and verifiable documentation.
2. Give NiDCOM a fair opportunity to respond before drawing conclusions about alleged misconduct.
3. Refer suspected financial irregularities to the appropriate Nigerian oversight and investigative authorities.
4. Distinguish clearly between audit observations, unresolved queries, allegations and established findings.
5. Avoid statements or campaigns that could unjustifiably damage the reputation of individuals or institutions.
6. Demonstrate transparency in its own operations, funding and governance arrangements.

These principles should apply consistently to every public institution, irrespective of the individuals occupying positions of authority.

OUR POSITION ON HON. ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA AND NiDCOM

CNYGG will not support the condemnation of any public official based solely on allegations that have not been conclusively established by the appropriate authorities.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the management of NiDCOM deserve fairness, due process and the opportunity to respond to the issues raised against the Commission.

Our position is not that any public institution should be exempt from scrutiny. Rather, we insist that scrutiny must be evidence-based, impartial and conducted in accordance with the law.

If questions remain concerning public expenditure, they should be answered with documents, explanations and the findings of competent authorities—not resolved through media trials, political insinuations or the deliberate circulation of unverified claims.

OUR FINAL WARNING TO GIW

CNYGG hereby calls on Global Integrity Watch to exercise the highest degree of professionalism and impartiality in its engagements with Nigerian public institutions.

We warn against any attempt to exploit legitimate demands for accountability to advance political interests, intimidate public officials or create unjustified public distrust in government agencies.

GIW must demonstrate that its work is driven by evidence and the public interest rather than allowing its activities to be perceived as selective, politically motivated or directed at predetermined targets.

The fight against corruption must be genuine, consistent and impartial. It must protect the Nigerian people, strengthen institutions and uphold the rule of law.

Nigeria welcomes credible accountability advocacy. What we cannot encourage is the use of unproven allegations to pronounce public officials guilty before the relevant authorities have completed their work.

CONCLUSION

CNYGG reiterates its commitment to good governance, transparency, institutional integrity and the protection of Nigeria’s public institutions from unjustified attacks.

We encourage NiDCOM to continue discharging its mandate diligently and to cooperate with all lawful oversight processes. We equally urge GIW to pursue its stated accountability objectives with fairness, transparency and respect for due process.

Let the evidence speak. Let the appropriate authorities do their work. Let no organisation, individual or political interest place itself above the principles of fairness and the rule of law.