The Federal Government has vowed to continue its fight against corruption, according to a recent press statement issued by the office of the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed.
The Federal Government has vowed to continue its fight against corruption, according to a recent press statement issued by the office of the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed.
The statement is a reaction to a perception on the part of the Buhari Administration that they have come under attack from “paid off” members of the media. During a meeting with members of the Abuja press, Mr. Mohammed noted that the rise in media critiques of President Buhari is an example of “corruption fighting back”.
''They [corrupt politicians] have newspapers, radio and television stations as well as online platforms, and an army of supporters to continuously deride the government's war against corruption.
''Sponsored articles have started appearing in the newspapers and in the Social Media, while 'Talking Heads' have started making the rounds in the electronic media, all deriding the fight against corruption as well as this Administration,” Minister Mohammed explained.
The minister dismissed the accusations by some, especially those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that the war on corruption is “selective”.
Minister Mohammed noted than an individual who benefitted from “Dasukigate” had the gall to deride the anti-corruption war as “selective”.
“[Yet] in saner climes, he [the official involved in Daskuigate] should have been so ashamed of himself that he would have apologized to the nation and hunkered down for good,” Mr. Mohammed stated.
He went on to warn that the “sponsored” attacks will not stop but will, instead, become more intense. However, he remained confident that President Buhari would win the “war on corruption”.
Minister Mohammed called on Nigerians to be vigilant against “sponsored” attacks of the anti-graft war. He also reminded his audience of President Buhari’s view that if Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill them.
Mr. Mohammed urged the media to play the role of the educator so as to keep Nigerians informed about the evils of corruption, and the human cost of a graft. To express the importance of this fight, he highlighted the human cost of Dasukigate, which saw $2.1 billion meant for the war on Boko Haram siphoned away by corrupt politicians.
The result was a prolonged war with Boko Haram, and an increase in the number of displaced people as well as the deaths of many poorly equipped Nigerian troops.