Don’t shield your associates in anti-corruption war, politician tells Buhari

A former Ogun State governorship candidate under the platform of Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, Rotimi Paseda, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to shield any of his political associates in his fight against corruption.

He gave the advice on Sunday while receiving the Paseda Integrity Foundation at his Omu-Ijebu country home in Ogun State, just as he commended Mr. Buhari on the bold step of fighting corruption in the country.

Mr. Paseda, who declared his support for Mr. Buhari’s anti-corruption war, bemoaned the spate of corruption in the country perpetrated under the last administration. He applauded the president for his initiatives and actions taken to retrieve government property from past officials.

While lamenting the rot in the Nigerian system,  the politician charged President Buhari to not shield any of his political associates and supporters from being probed.

“I will support President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption. If that is the only thing he can achieve and clean the system for the next four years, then he has my support,” he declared.

“The situation is so complex to the extent that people cannot feed themselves daily, while the rich are getting richer. He should not be bias in his campaign against corruption if he wants to have the public support. He must not shield anybody, either from the ruling party, as a sacred cow”, he said.

The politician also  advised the President to abolish the dichotomy between B.Sc. and HND degrees in the education sector. He also enjoined him to improve the power sector and balance his political appointments amongst all Nigerians.

President Buhari should see himself as Nigerian president who should not promote the Northern agenda only as that may cause uproar and instability in the government.

Mr. Paseda, who described the recent appointments by President Buhari as lopsided against other regions, said, “We cannot continue to argue over the president’s recent appointees. Though, it might be skewed in favour of the northerners, but we have many potent issues that need to be addressed by the president immediately.”

“The power sector is not stable yet. Many Nigerians who are majorly artisans rely on electricity to meet their daily needs. Many of our federal roads are not in good shape. There’s also need for urgent attention to improve the agricultural sector as another means of IGR for the country rather than depending on oil,” he stated.

“But the President can still balance the equation on the ministerial appointment list, while those of impeccable character must also be considered.”