Osinbajo, Buhari, Kadaria Ahmed during the Live TV Programme
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night appealed to Nigerians that have evidence against corrupt persons in government to make it available.
He made the appeal while answering questions during a live TV programme tagged ‘The Candidates’, anchored by Kadaria Ahmed.
The Programme is sponsored by MacArthur Foundation and NTA.
Buhari was reacting to the allegations that his government’s anti corruption war shielded members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The President was asked why the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal, and other persons in his government have not been persecuted inspite of the fight against corruption.
Buhari
said that the onus was on the person making allegations to provide evidence why
the accused should be prosecuted.
“That
is not fair criticism of the government. I don’t think there is anybody that is
being pointed out as corrupt in the last dispensation which we looked the other
direction.
“I
told you why I have to be careful and the public should help us, if there are
strong allegations that is backed up with evidences, bank accounts, names of
companies floated, contracts awarded, then we take them before the courts
through EFCC and ICPC and we have to trust the system and allow them to
complete investigation.
“If
we just take people in as we did during the military and lock them up, the
present democracy, a multi party democracy does not approve that.
“If
you accuse any person, you have to provide evidence in court for him to be
prosecuted, So, if there is strong allegations, the government may decide to
ask people to go like the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation
we asked him to go.
“The
matter is already before the EFCC and I believe that a directive has been
issued to charge him and all persons who have cases before the EFCC.” he
stated.
President
Buhari also said he is yet to receive the Disability Bill from the National
Assembly.
He
said that his administration has done a lot in addressing insecurity ,
especially the Boko Haram in the North East.
“When
this administration came in, Boko Haram was holding on to 17 local governments
in the North east. At this moment they are not holding any. They have only
resorted to attacking soft targets.
“The
best you can get about this administration in terms of fighting Boko Haram is
that people are being returned to their various homes, which was not the case
before.
He
advised the media to do their thorough research on issues related to
insecurity.’’
Buhari said that he was concerned when security personnel were being shortchanged.
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He said his government is concerned about the welfare of security personnel especially those rendered disabled in the course of defending the country.
*With transcripts of
the interview by The Nation