By Tracy Moses
The International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR) has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to strengthen its integrity-screening mechanisms and ensure that political affiliation does not become a shield against accountability.
The organisation made the call in an open letter dated August 19, 2026, addressed to the APC National Chairman, with copies sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of the party’s National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Assembly and the Nigerian public.
ISSJHR expressed concern over the clearance of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to contest under the APC platform despite allegations and investigations involving the two former governors.
The organisation, however, stressed that it was not pronouncing either man guilty, noting that criminal liability remained a matter for the courts.
“ISSJHR does not presume to say whether Mr. Bello is guilty or not; this is a matter for the appropriate judicial authorities to determine,” the letter stated.
According to the organisation, the APC, as the ruling political party, has a responsibility to uphold high standards of integrity among its members, aspirants and candidates, particularly where allegations involve the management of public resources.
Questions Over Bello’s Clearance
ISSJHR said Bello is facing EFCC prosecution over allegations involving N80.246 billion and questioned the level of due diligence undertaken by the APC before clearing him to seek public office under its platform.
The organisation asked whether the party considered the nature and seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, whether its legal team advised on the potential risks associated with his clearance and whether an independent integrity assessment was conducted.
It also questioned whether the APC consulted the EFCC or other relevant government agencies before clearing Bello and, if not, why such consultations were not undertaken.
Concerns Over Okowa
The organisation raised similar concerns over Okowa, whom it said had been the subject of an EFCC investigation involving allegations concerning N1.3 trillion in derivation funds that allegedly should have accrued to Delta State between 2015 and 2023.
According to the letter, the allegations include claims that some of the funds were used to finance investments in UTM Floating LNG and acquire properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa has denied wrongdoing and maintained that the funds were properly accounted for.
ISSJHR said its concern was not to determine the former governor’s guilt or innocence, but to question the standards applied by the APC in assessing the suitability of individuals seeking its nomination.
“However, the APC must ask itself why it cleared a man whose finances are being investigated by EFCC,” the organisation stated.
The group asked whether APC members were effectively immune from EFCC investigations and whether the party had an independent mechanism for screening criminal allegations against aspirants.
It further challenged the party to explain what its integrity-screening process established in the cases of Bello and Okowa, if such a mechanism exists.
‘Has Loyalty Overtaken Integrity?’
ISSJHR also questioned whether the same standards would be applied to APC members and politicians in opposition parties, warning against a political culture in which party loyalty takes precedence over integrity.
“Has loyalty overtaken integrity in APC?” the organisation asked.
Beyond the individual cases, ISSJHR urged the APC to see itself as more than an electoral platform, arguing that a ruling political party has a responsibility to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s democratic and governance institutions.
“The APC has to understand that it must invest in institutions that will support Nigeria’s democracy and governance system,” the letter stated.
The organisation argued that political parties should build institutions rather than personalities and should not place electoral interests above the national interest.
It acknowledged that the APC is not a court of law and cannot determine the guilt of persons facing criminal allegations. However, it maintained that this should not prevent the party from establishing ethical standards for individuals seeking its ticket.
“The APC is not a court of law and cannot convict anyone. Every citizen must be entitled to a fair hearing. However, every political party must be able to set standards for who can carry its flag based on due diligence and integrity checks,” it said.
Calls for Stronger Integrity Screening
ISSJHR called on the APC to publicly disclose the criteria it uses to clear aspirants facing criminal allegations and make its ethical and integrity-screening procedures transparent.
It also proposed the establishment of an independent APC Ethics, Integrity and Public Accountability Committee, comprising persons of proven integrity, to review the party’s due-diligence and ethical-screening processes.
The organisation further urged the party to require aspirants to declare their assets, liabilities and other relevant financial interests, while establishing procedures for engaging appropriate government agencies where allegations of economic crimes involve public funds.
It called for clear and consistent standards for aspirants facing criminal charges, irrespective of their wealth, influence, background or region.
ISSJHR warned that any perception that membership of the ruling party could provide protection from accountability would undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s institutions and discourage citizens from reporting corruption.
“Nigeria must never have a system that encourages politicians to join the winning party just to avoid the accountability of the law,” it stated.
The organisation urged the APC to make decisions based on long-term national interests rather than short-term political gains, arguing that the strength of a political party should not be measured solely by the number of elections it wins, but also by the institutions it builds and the leadership legacy it leaves behind.
“A political party should not measure its greatness by the elections it wins, but by the institutions it builds, the transparency it practices, and the leadership legacy it leaves behind. Electoral victory is temporary; institutional integrity is the foundation upon which a nation’s future is secured,” the organisation stated.
ISSJHR called on the APC leadership to demonstrate that Nigeria’s interests supersede those of the party and individual politicians.
“Most importantly, we urge the party to demonstrate that Nigeria is bigger than the APC and bigger than any individual,” it said.
The organisation concluded by urging the APC to establish institutional mechanisms that prioritise ethics, integrity and public accountability in its operations and decision-making.
“Let the APC win elections, but let it also win the confidence of history.
“Let it exercise power, but let that power strengthen, rather than weaken, Nigeria’s institutions.
“Let it produce political leaders, but above all, let it produce leaders worthy of the Nigerian people.
“Above all, Nigeria must come first. Always.”
ISSJHR pledged its commitment to social justice, human rights, democratic accountability and the defence of Nigerians’ constitutional right to good governance.