Anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International, TI, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to veto any move by the Nigerian Senate to stifle the country’s anti-graft laws, particularly the Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal Acts.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday with Socio-Economic and Accountability Project, SERAP, and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, spokesperson for Transparency International, Chris Sanders, called on the Senate to leave the Code of Conduct law as it currently is, adding that it must be applied to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who is standing trial for false assets declaration at the CCT.

“The law should apply to everyone equally. To try to amend legislation to protect the Senate President is a blatant attempt to manipulate the rule of law,” the statement quoted chairman of Transparency International, Jose Ugaz as saying.

TI believes the proposed amendment is aimed at weakening the laws in favour of Saraki.

“Elected officials must be held accountable by the people. We support the call of Nigerian civil society organisations to strengthen the country’s democracy and remain committed to the fundamental principles of democracy and good governance,” Ugaz said, according to the statement.