The Kingdom of Norway has called on Nigerian government to make the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an independent body to build a strong hold for anti-corruption fight.
Mr Jens-Petter Kjemprud, outgoing Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria gave the advice during a media chat with newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
Kjemprud said it was necessary for the commission to have independence, nominated on professional bases and be protected from political leadership.
He said the anti-corruption fight anywhere was usually a long one and should not be done in a hurry because it takes a longer process.
“Anti-corruption fight is a long fight that is not done in a hurry, it takes a long process and it returns to the political process.
“If you have different political ideology, you have contradictions and no control mechanism.
“As it is today in Nigeria, you have set of political class ruling another political party. The EFCC should have independence nomination on professional bases and be protected from political leadership,’’ Kjemprud said.
He also called for the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair election in the country.
According to him, there have been deficiencies in Nigeria democracy and that election is not necessary democracy itself, but a technical process.
“A mile stone of democracy in Nigeria was when former President Goodluck Jonathan accepted the election result in 2015 and it should have been built upon.
“Unfortunately most election observers find some deficiency with the 2015 election but more with the 2019 elections.
“Election process should have a strong commission as the EFCC, so electoral commission should be independent to ensure free and fair election,’’ he said.
On security, the ambassador said that the duplication of conflicts in the country had stretched the army and others security outfits and this was a challenge to the nation.
He called for continue reconciliations and negotiations and peace talk to help reduce conflicts.
“In the current economic problems, it is difficult to alleviate the real reasons for insecurity, as social and educational services takes a long time.
“Insecurity is not too surprising when most people are leaving below the poverty line and over 25 per cent are out of jobs,’’ he added
