Buhari’s war on graft more of noise than action, says Rep

A federal lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Enwo Igariwey, has described as “more of noise than action,” the ongoing war on graft by the President Mohammadu Buhari-led government.

But a Board Of Trustees (BOT) member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief David Onuoha-Bourdex, said the President has been busy creating a zero-corruption platform for prospective ministers.

Speaking with newsmen during an interactive session in Abuja, Igariwey decried the administration’s anti-graft efforts so far and expressed doubt on any fresh policy initiative to tackle the menace, saying corruption was a structural malaise that cannot be tackled by mere “tough talk.”

Igariwey, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and represents Afikpo North/South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, also described attacks against attempts at assessing Buhari’s first 100 days in office as misplaced, arguing that it was only fair for Nigerians to be critical of their leaders.

The lawmaker criticised the government for lacking in policy direction, especially on the economy, which was negatively impacting on the country, as there have been indications that the economy was approaching recession, as well as reports of drop in investors confidence.

He said Nigeria has been divided as never before under Buhari, as there have been cries of marginalisation by Southerners, who have complained of appointments favouring Northerners.

Meanwhile, Onuoha-Bourdex, an APGA chieftain, who contested for the Abia North Senatorial seat in the last election, observed that many people complaining about the president’s perceived slow pace failed to recognise his desire to ensure that his ministers would not come in to repeat the cycle of corruption seen in the last dispensation.

In a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday, the APGA chief noted that Nigeria was witnessing a new approach to governance, stressing that, rather than accuse the president of operating like a sole administrator, Nigerians should recognize the fact that “since a garden reveals the character of the gardener, an incorruptible president would not allow an environment that encourages corruption around him.

“Therefore, if President Buhari has used the past three months to set the necessary structures and create the enabling culture for prudence and transparency, I think Nigeria is the best for it. We should not judge the president negatively on account of his meticulous approach to governance,” the APGA chieftain asserted adding that prospective ministers must be prepared to make their assets and liabilities public.