Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade as selective while also accusing the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Service (DSS) of going after only members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Prof. Sagay, who is the Chairman of President Buhari’s Advisory Committee on Corruption stated these in an interview published by Sunday Tribune.
According to Sagay, “—Immediately, President Buhari got to Aso Rock, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State (Security) Service (DSS), as if they have not existed before, began to arrest and do all sort of things. But, if you look at it holistically, are they saying it is only PDP governors or public office holders that are corrupt? No. One thing is that they are doing whatever they are doing to please the president, who can hire and fire them. Which of the governors, out of the 36 states, is not corrupt? So, why is it that only PDP people are being chased up and down?
Speaking further on the fight against corruption, Sagay said, “As far as I am not a politician, one thing I know is that the anti-corruption crusade is selective, but most of the people being pursued by EFCC are corrupt. What we are saying is that all others in the APC that are stealing should also be chased if Buhari is really serious about this corruption of a thing. It is only then that the fight against corruption can been seen as fair and balanced. When there is no equity and justice, people will begin to doubt your integrity in whatever you are pursuing.
Going back to what happened during Buhari’s tenure as Military Head of State, Sagay said: “For instance, if we recall 1983 when Buhari? Idiagbon came to office, immediately they knew there was corruption, they changed Nigerian currency so that all the people that had stolen money and kept it at home had such rendered useless and all corrupt officials were arrested”.
But you also have to remember that Ambrose Alli died in prison, Adelakun, who was deputy governor to Bola Ige, died in prison, Olabisi Onabanjo developed kidney problem in prison. Most of these people were Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) governors. But in whose house was N50million cash belonging to government found? That person was only given a house arrest, because he is a northerner. No northerner was treated the way they treated the southern governors. That is why as much as I respect President Buhari, I know that his sincerity is not total.
While stating APC members are as corrupt if not more corrupt than PDP members, Prof Sagay, told President Buhari: “The only way people respect you or your integrity is when the children of the people you don’t know at all and yours commit a crime and you deal with them accordingly; people will respect you. Corruption is everywhere. It is endemic, and that is why he should not focus on one side. Our anti-graft fight is cosmetic; we are not serious about it. I must be sincere with you”
Credits: Leaktimes
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