'All fraud must stop' - Buhari in address to staff at presidency

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his government’s resolve to stamp out corruption from Africa’s most populous nation. Stating emphatically that, any one who does not short-change the treasury would not have issues with the fight.

‘‘All fraud must stop. If they don’t believe us, they should go, try and see those we caught red handed with public funds. This exercise will continue as long as this leadership is here,’‘ the president is quoted to have said.

Buhari was addressing staff at the presidency who had gathered to welcome him back from his medical trip to the United Kingdom. In a statement released by Femi Adesina, his special assistant of Media and Publicity, Buhari said those found culpable through investigation would surely have their day in court.

State House Press Release: War Against Corruption Will Be Vigorously Sustained – President MBuhari—https://t.co/tdr6kMap0j

— President Buhari (NGRPresident) June 22, 2016

“We’ll not touch anybody that did not touch public funds. If you behave yourself, you will sleep soundly, your children and families will enjoy respect.

“But if you have short-changed the treasury, you will be caught and you’ll have your day in court,’’ the statement said.

Local media sources report that the president spoke on a wide range of issues aside corruption, bemoaning the inability of 27 out of 36 states in the federation to pay workers salaries.

He also spoke about how the economy had been badly hit by oil price slump on the global market and charged that the best way out for Nigeria was to turn to agriculture.

What I am asking Nigerians really is: What is our alternative? Our immediate alternative is agriculture and solid minerals. That was why we voted a lot of money for agriculture so that we can at least feed ourselves.’‘

‘‘Once we can feed ourselves, we can say okay, let the struggle continue. At least we can eat two to three meals per day. We have to quickly go back to the farm. It is too late for this year.

But next year, we will make a better arrangement to make sure next year, we can feed ourselves,” he added.

Buhari also spoke on the need to ensure security through out the country touching on Boko Haram combat and the restive situation in the Niger Delta region.

“On the insecurity in the North-East, the army has made a lot of remarkable improvements, no matter what anybody wants to say. Unfortunately, there is the other unstable part of the country, the Niger Delta, with their myriads of organizations that are competing over which one can do more damage to the country and the oil companies and oil wells.

For how long are we going to do this? It is not easy to preach change when people are used to something from 1999 till now.

The change must take place because, as I said, we were used to getting $100 per barrel…this reflects on the economic predicament the country finds itself.

Buhari came to power a little over a year ago through the All Progressives Congress party which used corruption, the economy and security as its main campaign message.