President
Muhammadu Buhari said he is unwavering in the fight against corruption
in the country.
He
stated that corruption has no political party, no religion and no ethnic group
and as such there would no partisanship in the fight against the scourge.
The
president’s remarks followed an accusation by the Senate PDP caucus that he was
selective in the anti-graft war.
Speaking
through his media aide, Garba Shehu, the president regretted the
accusation, saying it was absolutely false and unfounded. “We have noted with
regret, the allegation by members of the PDP Senate Caucus that the present
administration is being selective and partisan in its prosecution of the war
against corruption.
“We
state without equivocation that the allegation is false, baseless and totally
unjustifiable. For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, we affirm that having
made his zero tolerance for corruption clear to all and sundry, President
Muhammadu Buhari does not micro-manage or interfere in the daily work of Nigeria’s
anti-corruption agencies. The wild allegation of bias and partisanship in the
fight against corruption shouldn’t have come therefore from respected and
distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“That
claim belongs to the past and not the present. Public officials and other
leaders accused of corruption by relevant agencies should plead their
innocence, not malice. President Buhari’s unwavering stance is that whosoever
is charged with corruption should face the law irrespective of whether
they are members of the of All Progressives Congress (APC) , Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), or any other political party. As far as the President is
concerned, corruption has no political party, no religion and no ethnic group.”
The
presidential spokesman also reminded the PDP caucus that President Buhari’s
message during the campaign was to stamp out corruption in Nigeria, saying that
he was wholly committed to the fight. “It is important to remind the PDP Senate
Caucus and all Nigerians that right from 2003 when he started campaigning
for the Presidency of Nigeria, President Buhari consistently promised to do his
best to curb corruption in the country. The President remains wholly committed
to fulfilling that promise and will not be deterred from the relentless
prosecution of the war against corruption because he remains convinced that, as
he has said, “unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”
On
the claim that the presidency was meddling in the election petitions tribunal,
Shehu also stated that president Buhari does not interfere in the
constitutional duties of the tribunals.
He
specifically mentioned Rivers, Abia and Akwa-Ibom States, saying they the
tribunals do not operate under the guidance of the President. “The claim by the
PDP Senate caucus that President Buhari and his administration are meddling in
election petition cases through the Department of State Services (DSS) is also
untrue. The duties of the DSS and other security agencies are clearly spelt
out in the laws establishing them. The Federal Government led by President
Buhari does not give them instructions regarding their daily operations.
Election Tribunals and the Independent National Electoral Commission in
Rivers, Abia and Akwa-Ibom States do not operate under the guidance of
the President.
“Any
individual or group of individuals who think that their legitimate political
and civil rights are infringed upon by the DSS or any institution is advised to
seek protection and redress under our constitution and laws of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria instead of resorting to baseless allegations against the
Buhari Administration. On President Buhari’s watch, the rule of law, not
impunity, shall govern every aspect of life in Nigeria and there will be
no room for sentiments, bias and corruption in the application of the laws of
the land”.
The
statement however reassured Nigerians of the committee of the present
administration to rid the country of corruption.
“President
Buhari also wishes to re-assure all Nigerians that his administration will not
discriminate against individuals or groups in the performance of its duties and
that favours or patronage will not be dispensed on the basis of votes.
“The
President remains committed to his Oath of Office and the letters and
spirit of the constitution.
“He
calls on all Nigerians to join hands with him in the fight against insecurity,
corruption and impunity in Nigeria so that we can have a country that will
prosper for the benefit of all of its citizens and future
generations of Nigerians”, Shehu said.
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