Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi
Adesina, says President Buhari cannot order EFCC to investigate any of
his Ministers accused of corruption because the anti-graft agency is an
independent body and is not controlled by the Presidency.
Adesina said this in a recent interview with Naija Standard when he was
asked why President Buhari has not ordered EFCC to investigate Rotimi
Amaechi and Abbah Kyari who are both ministers and have been accused of
corrupt practices.
Adesina in his reply said
"President Buhari does not direct the EFCC. He maintains a critical
distance from all the anti-graft agencies, and does not dictate to them.
So, if any Minister has a tidy case built against him, the EFCC does
its job without waiting for directives from the President"he said
Read more excerpts from the interview as shared by Adesina below
Q: When you received offer from President Buhari to serve in your
present capacity, what were the virtues you saw in him that drew you to
accept the appointment?
A: Let me say that I had always admired Muhammadu Buhari since he was a
military head of state. I admired his discipline, his integrity,
forthrightness, and simplicity. The things he represented just resonated
with my lifestyle, maybe because I grew up under a father who also
stood for such things. It was, therefore, my worst day when Buhari was
overthrown in 1985. I believed Nigeria had missed an opportunity to be
great, and one was proven right.
When Buhari joined partisan politics in 2002, I was quite glad. As a
journalist who wrote a weekly column, I supported him in 2003, 2007,
2011, and 2015, when he won the presidential election. I had never
wanted to work in government, but when I got an invitation to serve as
Special Adviser on Media, I accepted because it was Buhari. With any
other person, my answer would have been a flat no. President Buhari’s
integrity, transparency, simplicity, and patriotism were the things that
brought me into government.
Q: What lessons have you learnt so far in your present position?
A: At every stage in life, you learn lessons. Some of those I’ve learnt
in government include the fact that some people do not care a hoot what
happens to the country, as long as they realize their personal
ambitions. That is why they would lie, perjure and assassinate the
character of those serving the land faithfully. The power game can be
quite devious.
Q: Can you mention few of the lofty accomplishments of President Buhari’s government since assumption of office?
A: The achievements are many. Beating back insurgency in the North-east. Rekindling
hope of a better future for the country. Setting a standard for
transparency. Bringing corrupt people to book. Managing the treasury
efficiently, despite crash in oil prices. Rolling off the
diversification move through agriculture and mining. Teaching Nigerians
to look inward, and not depending on imported products. Giving us a new
reputation in the comity of nations. Attracting billions of dollars in
foreign investment. The achievements are really many, and the government
is still warming up. Nigerians are in for good time.
Q: Why do you think Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other oppositions
whom you once described as ‘wailing wailers’ have not yet found any
single achievement in President Buhari’s administration?
A: Why have the PDP and those I call wailing wailers not seen all these
achievements.? Well, it could be that they have deliberately turned a
blind eye. They are like the child whose lollipop is taken away, and is
throwing tantrums. Because their candidate was given a bloody nose at
the 2015 elections, they seem to forget that elections are over, and we
should all team up to build the country. But whether they like it or
not, whether they see it or not, the good work will continue.
Q: As a renowned journalist, what is your position on the current
investigation and detention of Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to
ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and Femi Fani Kayode, a former Director
of Media & Publicity for PDP, being investigated and detained on
graft allegation?
A: The fact that the two gentlemen you mentioned were called in to
answer questions shows that a day of reckoning will always come. When
you hold certain positions, always be ready to give an account. Days of
impunity are gone. But if their hands are clean, they have nothing to
fear.
Q: A segment of the foreign and local media had been shouting that
President Buhari should permit EFCC to open investigation on the alleged
fraud of Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation and the President’s
Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari. Do you think this is feasible?
A: President Buhari does not direct the EFCC. He maintains a critical
distance from all the anti-graft agencies, and does not dictate to them.
So, if any Minister has a tidy case built against him, the EFCC does
its job without waiting for directives from the President.
Q: How come it is under President Buhari’s government that EFCC suddenly woke up from slumber and seen to be performing?
A: Anti-graft agencies watch the body language of whoever is the
President at any point in time. If your body language is tepid towards
corruption, the agency would be at best lukewarm. But if you set your
face like a flint against corruption, the agency would also follow suit.
Q: Regarding the ongoing investigation of former Nigeria’s First Lady,
Patience Jonathan, do you think if she is eventually found guilty in the
court, she may go to jail? Or will there be a ‘soft-landing’ for her,
since sending any former First Lady to jail will be unprecedented in
Nigeria’s history?
A: President Buhari does not interfere with the judiciary. The courts
would always determine cases based on the evidences before them, and the
law is no respecter of persons.
Q: What steps is this administration taking to ensure Nigerians enjoy
surplus food at cheaper prices to beat rising inflation in the country?
A: Food sufficiency is a goal of the administration, and that is why
budgetary provision for agriculture is so high. It is envisaged that by
2018, we won’t import rice, or any type of grains again.
Q: Recently, Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group in United Kingdom
issued out press statement denouncing steps taken by Godwin Emefiele,
Governor of Central Bank, to save Nigeria’s economy as ‘Incompetent’.
They are demanding for outright sack of CBN Governor, will President
Buhari approve of this request?
A: The Central Bank governor is responsible to the President, and it is his principal who can adequately assess him.
Q: Ekiti State House of Assembly petitioned EFCC claiming that Kayode
Fayemi, former Governor, present Minister of Solid Minerals allegedly
squandered the sum of N40billion during his reign as chief security
officer of the state. What is your
take?
A: Dr Fayemi has responded to the insinuations and allegations, and I believe he
has responded well.
Q: There are rumors that President Buhari is making plans to reshuffle
his cabinet, retire tired hands and appoint more competent Nigerians
into national service. Is this true or false?
A: The President assembled the cabinet, he has his standards for assessment, and he decides whether to reshuffle or not.
Q: How do you think Nigeria’s currency, Naira would be stronger on the Foreign Exchange market?
A: I am not an economist, but I believe the naira will be stronger in
the foreign exchange market when we begin to earn foreign currencies.
For now, oil price is down in the international market, and we don’t
have many other export commodities.
Q: Finally, what should Nigerians expect from this administration as
lasting legacies that would positively impact on their lives forever?
A: President Buhari would leave a strong, secure, prosperous,
corrupt-free country. A country the citizens are proud of, where the
youths have a future and a hope, a country that commands respect in the
international arena. These would be lasting legacies.
