Reacting to the criticism of the anti-corruption campaign by Dangiwa Umar, a retired colonel and social activist, the presidency said he (Umar) was not in a position to make accusations.
Umar had accused the federal government of being selective in its anti-corruption crusade and had also called for the release of Sambo Dasuki, a former national security adviser (NSA) who has been in detention since November 2015.
Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, in a statement issued on Monday, warned that the Buhari administration would neither succumb to media attacks nor would it be deterred by false accusations.
“The war against corruption is here to stay. As long as President Buhari is in power, Nigerians can rest assured of that. It will not succumb to media attacks. It will not be deterred by false accusations. It will not be quenched by disgruntled elements,” he said.
He noted that the Buhari administration has become quite familiar with the barrage of verbal attacks that have accompanied its determined war against corruption.
“A number of Nigeria’s elite, uncomfortable with the disruption of business as usual, have fought viciously, usually via the media.
“However, this comment, coming from Umar, is highly disappointing. Because he is not in a position to label accusations. He should, instead, allow other to do this.
“Curiously, despite the various accusations and media attacks, no one has so far come forth with any evidence of President Buhari’s selectiveness in the war against corruption,” he said.
Shehu challenged anyone or organisation with any evidence of bias or partiality in the fight against corruption to make it public
He stated that all the agencies involved in the war against corruption were allowed freedom to carry out their responsibilities, without any interference whatsoever from the presidency.
“If Umar or anyone else feels that they have any evidence to the contrary, they are encouraged to make this public. Ultimately, the final frontier of the war against corruption is the judiciary.
“After the anti-graft agencies have gathered proof of corruption and made arrests, they present the accused before competent courts of the land, who have the final say on who is guilty of corruption and who is not,” he said.
Shehu maintained that President Buhari had never interfered with the judicial process, despite publicly expressing his frustration with how slowly corruption cases were handled.
“Again, anyone with a shred of evidence to the contrary is encouraged to go public with it. A number of Nigerian elites have over the years benefitted from various forms of corruption, including monthly payouts from the office of previous National Security Advisers.
“Let me clarify that this is not in reference to Colonel Umar in particular. The Buhari administration has offended so many of our greedy elite by putting a stop to this, plugging many of the holes through which our country’s resources, belonging to each and every one of us, were looted by a few.
“Naturally, these elites are frustrated. But we shall not allow them to frustrate the war against corruption,” he said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Really we must put a full stop for them not to frustrate the anti curruption crusade.
ReplyDeleteIT IS ABOUT YOU NOT PMB:
ReplyDeleteFellow Nigerian Ombudsman!!!
Hey people, let me speak to you directly.
The anti-corruption war is not about Buhari. It is not about anyone 50 years and above. It is about you, 40 years and below. And you are in the majority right now in Nigeria. It is about your future and that of your kids. It is about your happiness, prospects, welfare, employment opportunities, pride and honor.
Do you know how old President Buhari is? If you don't, let me help you. PMB is 75 years. With God's blessing of long life, he gets another 25 years at most but you have many more years ahead of you.
Buhari, shouldn't be leading the war against corruption, you should. Buhari's generation, got the best out of Nigeria. They had free education, scholarships and guess what? Jobs and cars waiting for them on graduation. You left school five years ago, you still can't find a job. You thought more degrees would give you an advantage and so you struggled to do your post-graduate but still no jobs. You're the one who should be leading the war on corruption not Buhari who in the real sense, has no more stake beyond leaving a country better than he met it.
Now, instead of you to join PMB in his modest efforts to fight corruption no matter how imperfect it is, you're ignorantly joining up with the corrupt elements to attack the president. You're like the dog that is trapped but is threatening to bite anyone who tries to rescue her.
Buhari, does not need the stress of the anti-corruption war if not for his abiding personal principles. It is easier and more profitable to him and his family to loot the treasury and safeguard and secure the future of his immediate families and generations to come.
After all we have past leaders, accused of massive corruption going around in affluence and power without any questions or hints of prosecution.
President Buhari deserves praise not insults. When you're tempted to insult PMB next time, think about this: it is not about Buhari but you. Nigeria has been good to Buhari and his generation.
If you cannot say Nigeria has been good to you, join Buhari in his anti-corruption war.
ETUDAIYE Kabiru
For: Watch--Dog For Social Justice