Before You Condemn Buhari, Remember He Is Honest, Champion Of The Anti-Corruption Fight – Presidency

The Presidency has again reminded Nigerians condemning President Muhammadu Buhari that his honesty and integrity is what earned him recognition with the ECOWAS, African Union (AU) and the International Community as the Champion of the Anti-Corruption Fight in Africa.

According to a recent statement by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Nigerians are bound to their opinions on corruption among agencies, but that the fact that President Buhari has refused to cover up any of the alleged acts of graft proved that he is still in control of his government.

The Presidential aide blasted those he described as ‘influencers and celebrated columnists’ over their opinion articles and newspaper editorials which noted that the President has no say in his government.

He said, “President Buhari’s integrity, uprightness and probity are intact and well known. Let us remind these so-called editorial writers that ECOWAS, Africa Union and the international community at large recognised President Buhari as Champion of the Anti-Corruption Fight in Africa.”

Shehu added that some persons comment on the current investigation over alleged fraud and misappropriation of funds against Nigeria’s antigraft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were nothing but the language of the opposition.

According to him, they are the people who ruined Nigeria during their 16 years of corruption on an industrial scale.

The statement added, “As many detractors have done lately, these ‘influencers’, ‘celebrated columnists’ and ‘editorial comments’ do no more than endorse the opposition’s utterly wrong and fallacious position that the President is not in charge of his government.

“Sometimes, we are forced to wonder whether some writers are mindful of the implication of words for the strategic and territorial interests of the nation. The fact that these baseless and appallingly mischievous attacks can freely be aired is itself evidence of the right to freedom of expression prevailing in the country today.”

“The government was the first to point out the obvious embarrassment that potential acts of wrongdoing by the EFCC leadership would cause the administration. The question to ask is: did they expect the President to draw a curtain over these suspected scandals by not ordering audits and investigations? And for them to turn around to accuse him of a cover-up?” the Presidency asked.

“To cover up and not order audits and investigations as the President did would amount to a historic betrayal of the mandate and the faith placed in him by Nigerians. President Buhari’s integrity, uprightness and probity are intact and well known. Let us remind these so-called editorial writers that ECOWAS, Africa Union and the international community at large recognised President Buhari as Champion of the Anti-Corruption Fight in Africa.”

It further stated that Nigerians have trusted President Buhari, and are convinced that he is honest enough to address corruption, public policy paralysis and growing menace of terrorists that have recked the nation over the years.

It added, “In his five years in office, there is not a single charge of corruption against his person. As the leader of the country, President Buhari fully understands and bears the full weight of the solemn oaths he swore to defend the nation’s constitution, its citizens and territory. Disinformation is not a viable option for opposition. The Buhari government has done nothing to warrant these criticisms.”

In another news earlier, Naija News reported that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).