FG Not Selective In Fight Against Corruption – President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari (AFP)

Following accusations in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari is selective in his anti-corruption war, the president has refuted such reports, saying that only those who are involved in corruption would make such claims.

Speaking at a press conference after the India-Africa Summit which took place in New Delhi, India, ‎President Buhari said those who accuse his administration of being selective would not say so if they are not involved in corruption, but rather encourage the government to get whoever has compromised in his position of trust.

Buhari said, “Those who are not corrupt should even encourage us to do more. I’m not selective. But whoever is corrupt would be given up for prosecution so that Nigerians will know that we are serious about this fight.”

Leadership report continues:

On the issue of recovery of looted funds, the president was not categorical on how much had so far been recovered by his administration.

He however lamented that the country was broke and may have to reduce ministries in line with the present economic realities as the federal government is finding it difficult to pay salaries.

“Of course, the country is broke. Where is the money? You must have known that the Federal Government had to help 27 states out of 36 to pay salaries. Nigeria cannot pay salaries; the Federal Government itself had to summon the Governor of Central Bank on how it could pay salaries, not to talk of projects, agreements we signed with other countries on counterpart funding and so on,” he emphasized.

On the polarization of the National Assembly along party lines due to the ministerial screening he said, “‎This is teamwork. I didn’t work with the Presidency alone, I have to defend all the three chains of government from all parts of the country and we cannot work outside the constitution, it must be a cabinet representative of each state.”

He also expressed concern that the government cannot afford votes for all ministers, saying some may not be substantive ministers but would sit in cabinet because that is what the constitution says, and government cannot operate outside the constitution.

On whether the three months target given to the military to flush out Boko Haram would be extended if they don’t meet it, Buhari said, “‎The main objective is to get rid of Boko Haram whether it is within the time you gave to the military or outside it.”