Reps assure president of support in crusade
President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the judiciary to join the executive arm of government in the fight against corruption.The president threw the challenge at an international workshop on, “The Role of the Judiciary in the Fight Against Corruption,” organised by the National Judicial Institute, (NJI), in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, (UNODC) and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Buhari however, acknowledged the tremendous efforts the judiciary was making to foster justice and accountability in Nigeria, stressing that it was worth reminding of the persisting challenges that confront the criminal justice system.
On the part of the government, Buhari assured that the administration is committed to promoting and supporting the judiciary to achieve a judicial system that is well staffed, well-resourced and that promotes and recognizes dedicated, committed and motivated judges. “The judiciary can count on me for this so that together we can rid our nation of the cancer of corruption.”
In another forum, the Presidency has given assurances that the Buhari administration, which came into power on the plank of anti-corruption and good governance would live up to its promises and commitments.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu spoke yesterday against the backdrop of the decision of the administration to submit the budget proposals of ministries, departments and agencies, (MDAs) to the National Assembly for their scrutiny, which is the first under this democracy, Shehu said, the remarkable development was worth celebrating.
According to him, “The laying of budgets for the MDAs, particularly those regarding the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) NNPC) behemoth in clearly unprecedented.”
“By responding positively to the demand of the National Assembly that MDA budgets be laid before it for scrutiny, a demand mostly ignored by past administrations, President Buhari has given a clear indication of his commitment to an open, transparent and people-oriented government for Nigerians,” the president said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Ado Hassan Doguwa has assured that the lower chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) is in full support of President Buhari’s anti-graft crusade.
Speaking to reporters in Bauchi yesterday, Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State, debunked allegations of victimisation of political opponents in the crusade, describing it as untrue.
Doguwa, who stressed, “The law is not friendly to anyone,” maintained that the successes being recorded in the campaign would help Nigeria manage its meagre resources for the benefit of the citizens.
