My fight against corruption unshaken, says Buhari

•President inaugurates ICPC board

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that the ordinary people in the country understand and support his administration’s fight against corruption.

Those opposing the fight against corruption, he said, were only pretending not to know what corruption is.

The President spoke at the swearing in of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Board members at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said: “Today’s occasion is the continuation of this administration’s fight against corruption.  It is a cardinal programme in the three-point agenda that I promised to pursue and will continue to pursue as I seek the mandate of Nigerians for a second term.

“The fight against corruption is very crucial in our national development.  This is why I have often said – if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.

“We are all witnesses to the damage that unbridled corruption has inflicted on our development aspirations.  Apart from deliberate and wanton looting of our national wealth and common patrimony, corruption has eroded our values and ethical foundation as a nation.

“Corruption has negatively affected our political, economic and social life.  Those opposed to our fight against corruption berate us for our focus, determination and single-mindedness.  They pretend that they do not know what corruption is.

“But Nigerians know what corruption is.  Ordinary people know what corruption is and they support our effort and determination to fight it.”

The President also listed the various forms of corruption in the public service.

He said “The abuse of public office for private gain represents corruption in its worst form.  The circumvention of public policies and processes for competitive advantage and profit is another form of corruption.

“The abuse of public office for personal benefit even if no bribery occurs is also corruption.  The diversion of State revenue or miss-application of budgeted funds falls into the same category.

“I am particularly delighted that the ICPC law under which you will operate is robust enough to assist government to sanitise the public sector of corruption in service delivery, public procurement, diversion of public revenue, deliberate misuse of public funds, and so on.”

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He insisted that government agencies must give account of public funds.

“We are determined to ensure that every agency of government account for public revenue generated or expended.  I am looking forward to ICPC’s support both for enforcement of anti-corruption laws and submission of policy measures and directives to prevent revenue leakage and diversion.

“In this regard, I urge you to collaborate with other government agencies such as the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation towards mitigating wrong-doing in public expenditure.  Furthermore, I look forward to receiving anti-corruption recommendations linked to e-Government standards and principles.

The acceptance speech on behalf of the ICPC was made by Professor Bolaji Owasanoye.

“We are lucky to be given this assignment because under your leadership, you are unquestionable, unequivocal and unshakable resolve to deal with corruption is very well known.

“Therefore, the political will required to fight corruption is available.

“I pledge on behave of the commission and members that we will do our best not to disappoint you or disappoint the country.”

Other members of the board include Dr. Grace Chinda, Okolo Titus, Obiora Igwedebia, Mrs. Olubukola Balogun, Justice Adams Bello, Hannatu Muhammed, Abdullahi Saidu and Yahaya Dauda.