Lagos—The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked all presidential candidates to commit themselves to implementing a seven-point anti-corruption and human rights programme.

The civil society group made the request in an open letter to the parties signed by its Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni.

A copy of the letter was obtained yesterday in Lagos.It said that such a commitment would help to end corruption.

It said: “We urge you to clearly and unequivocally commit to concrete human rights reforms to end the increasing level of corruption and the impunity of perpetrators.

“Evasive commitments by politicians undermine transparency and accountability of elected public officials and contribute to bad governance.

“By making a clear and unequivocal commitment to implement the proposed seven-point programme, Nigerians will be able to make an informed and unbiased decision to vote for issues and not personalities.

“They will also be able to compare what you are promising to do and what you actually do while in the office.”

The group said that the candidates must realise that massive high-level corruption had caused millions of Nigerians to suffer.

According to SERAP, as part of the seven-point programme, the successful presidential candidate must publicly declare his assets.

It also demanded that he or she should ensure recovery of all stolen public funds since the return of democracy in 1999 and should spend the funds on projects that would ensure respect for basic socio-economic rights of all Nigerians.

The group further requested said that the successful presidential candidate must avoid wasteful expenses and improve the conditions of Nigerians living in poverty.