President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured Nigerians that no amount of pressure that could be mounted on him would make him stop his regime’s war against corruption.
Buhari, who was represented by his Special Adviser Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this while addressing some protesters who stormed the Presidential Villa to encourage him to continue his ongoing corruption war.
The placard–wielding protesters under the aegis of the Nigerians Against Corruption group were led by Aisha Yesufu.
They were stopped at the gate of the Presidential Villa close to the Supreme Court by security operatives.
Buhari thereafter dispatched Adesina and his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, to address them.
While promising that he would not relent in the prosecution of the war against corruption, the President however promised that he would give due regard for the rule of law while carrying out the task.
The President said that all persons charged with stealing the nation’s resources would be prosecuted.
He added that upon conviction, their ill-gotten wealth would be seized and returned to the government coffers.
He said, “I believe it is time for Nigeria to change course. That is why I sought election as President and got elected. As President, I am determined that Nigeria must move away from a course of endemic corruption that is leading us to perdition.
“There can be no question of our willfully allowing anyone to get away with corruption.
“No matter the pressure and entreaties, the anti-corruption war will continue and all accused persons will have their day in court.”
The President also reiterated his commitment to curbing insecurity in the country and boosting employment opportunities for Nigerians, especially the youth.
He called for the continued support and solidarity of Nigerians as the present administration works to correct the wrongs of the past.
The protesters assured the President that majority of Nigerians supported his ongoing efforts to curb corruption.
They urged him not to be deterred by the antics of those who did not share his laudable vision of a fairer, more equitable, corruption-free and progressive nation.
Inscriptions on some of the placards carried by the protesters read, “I voted Buhari to fight corruption,” “Governors and their deputies must declare their assets,” NASS, epitome of corruption,” and “President and VP must declare their assets,” among others.
Also, President Buhari on Monday promised officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs that part of the money his administration would recover from looters of the nation’s commonwealth would be used to fund the ministry.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after he briefed Buhari of his ministry’s activities and challenges at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Oyemomi said his team briefed the President of all its activities at the end of which he realised that his ministry was demanding.
He said, “When you look at what the ministry is set up to do, we cut across 70 per cent of the population dealing with the issues of women, children, the vulnerable, people with disabilities, the distressed, distressed families and the lot.
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“He (the President) gave his word that once government can recover some funds, he will make sure that such funds are introduced into boosting the budget of the ministry so that we can be well-funded, especially on areas of empowerment, empowering all the stakeholders.”
Oyemomi said one of the challenges being faced by the ministry was that some establishments that were supposed to be under his ministry had been absorbed somewhere else.
He said the President had promised to look into the matter and bring such establishments back under the ministry.
“Part of the challenges are that some establishment should normally be under our control, but they have been absorbed somewhere else especially the NNPC.
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“We have exposed this to him and believe that the President will look at it and bring them back under us.
“He didn’t give a definite response but our document that have been presented certainly would be reviewed so that the right thing can be done,” he added.
