President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja promised to respect the rule of law in the fight against corruption.
Speaking at a reception he held for members of the diplomatic corps at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Buhari said he would leave no stone unturned in the effort to rid Nigeria of corruption.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja promised to respect the rule of law in the fight against corruption.
Speaking at a reception he held for members of the diplomatic corps at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Buhari said he would leave no stone unturned in the effort to rid Nigeria of corruption.
“I must, however, add that in doing this, we shall operate within the ambit of the law,” he added.
His statement, however, contrasted with the disobedience of court orders by his administration in cases involving the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who have been kept in detention despite bail granted both of them by different courts.
Buhari said he was resolved to build a stable and prosperous Nigeria, a country that would be inclusive of all her diverse peoples and a country that would be at ease with itself.
He added: “Building such a country will not be possible where corruption is pervasive. Mindful of this, it has become necessary to wage a relentless war against the cancer of corruption. So long as corruption holds centre stage in the affairs of Nigeria, the country will continue to suffer incalculable harm.
“You are witnesses to the preliminary findings that have emerged in the past few weeks from our investigations into corrupt practices in different sectors of Nigeria’s public service.
“I will leave no stone unturned in the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption. I must however add that in doing this, we shall operate within the ambit of the law.”
He told the diplomats that in a similar fight in the past, and armed with military might, “I led a government that required persons presumed to be corrupt to prove their innocence,” adding, ”Today, as committed democrats, and in a culture of deepening democracy, we respect the law that presumes all persons innocent until they are proven to be guilty.”
Buhari said he was convinced that there was no alternative to democratic governance, adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and adherence to constitutional order.
According to him, upholding these values remained the essential for peace, stability and development.
He told the diplomats that Nigeria’s foreign policy vision under his watch would be anchored on meaningful engagement with “our neighbours, the African continent and the world at large”.
He said Nigeria would continue to build strong partnerships, strengthen regional ties and promote global solidarity.
“Nigeria will remain a responsible and active member of the international community; promoting tolerance, accommodation, reconciliation and pacific settlement of disputes,” he added.
He said Nigeria would also continue to shoulder responsibilities in peace keeping under the auspices of the United Nations.
On the fight against Boko Haram, Buhari said there had been a resurgence in the morale and will of the Nigerian Armed Forces to dislodge Boko Haram from their bases in the North-east.
According to him, the changes in both the command structure and operational tactics of the military had brought about significant gains on the ground.
He said: “The Armed Forces have been given specific instructions on rules of engagement to treat captured terrorists humanely and to avoid civilian casualties.”
He recalled that when he assumed office on May 29, 2015, Boko Haram had full control of 14 local governments areas in the North-east, “but today, the group holds no territory in Nigeria”.
He said members of the sect were hiding in Sambisa forest and occasionally undertook cowardly attacks on innocent citizens using soft targets.
In his remarks, the dean of the diplomatic corps and Camerounian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Salaudeen Ibrahim, commended Buhari in his resolve to fight corruption.
He assured the president of the support and cooperation of the international community in the efforts to tackle insecurity in order to provide the enabling environment to do business.
Culled from Thisday
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