Mr. Femi Adesina has replied to those calling the President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight on corruption as being selective and one-side, saying it is all well and good if it is so.
Femi Adesina who is the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity while appearing on a popular programme called SUNDAY POLITICS on ChennelsTV with Seun Akingbaloye, described the cry majorly by the opposition party of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as them just being economical with the trust,as results in the last three years has shown otherwise.
He said that if the President is going after those that have had the opportunity to the public treasury and looted it dry and people are saying the President’s fight on corruption is one-sided, so be it.
Mr, Femi Adesina when asked about alleged corruption cases involving the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal on grass cutting, and the former Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Mr. Oke and others, he said:
The question has been answered a thousand times by the government. The President has done his part, and he does not charge or prosecute alleged corrupt politicians or persons. It is the duty of the Judiciary after a case of corruption might have been brought before it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC]for them to prosecute.
Mr. Adesina continued by saying that the President does not charge or prosecute, and will not meddle in the businesses of the Judiciary. He allows them [Judiciary] to do their work and finally execute the judgment.
When asked if the President was contradicting himself when he said he will jail more thieves, Mr. Femi Adesina jumps in with a counter-reply, repeating what he has said earlier by saying:
“The President’s statement was not in anyway contradictory, as he only mentioned that he will prosecute more and what the court pronounces we shall executive. He does not interfere in the duties of the law court. If anyone goes to jail, so be it!” He thundered.
He was asked how far can Buhari’ go in his corruption fight, he said:
“He will go very far. But I want you to note that Chief Robert Clarke (referring to the other guest in the programme) has given the President a 6/10 which is a very good pass mark on the war against corruption. Though Nigerians would argue, Chief Clarke has said everything and I want to thank him” He continued with:
“The President that I know, irrespective of anybody that has fallen foul of the law, he will not spare that person no matter how highly placed”.
On whether the President will overturn the decision of the then Acting president Professor Osinbajo to sack the former Director General of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) Lawl Daura after the siege at the National Assembly, he said:
“You (referring to Seun Akingbaloye) are trying to preempt the President. All that the then Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo did was in consultation with the President. The President was aware of all the decisions taken while he was on vacation, and backed all the move by Osinbajo”.