By Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
A group, Nigerians United for Progressive Change has expressed dismay over the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it had taken a negative twist.
The group has therefore called on the National Assembly to rise up to correct the executive arm of government from further progressing in error on what it described as “shoddy and ill-motivated” anti-corruption fight.
The National Convener of the group, Comrade Solomon Adodo gave the hint in Abuja during a peaceful protest staged by the group at the National Assembly complex, where it also submitted a letter addressed to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.
He said while it was not against the anti-graft fight of the present administration, but noted that it should be whole, total, and should not be riddled with sacred witch-hunt.
According to Adodo, “As a progressive minded and deeply concerned Nigerians, we are dismayed, disenchanted and utterly worried about the negative twist the anti-corruption war of this administration has taken.
“More worrisome and exerting is the fact that the government has used the politically motivated crusade as a ruse and smokescreen to distract Nigerians from the grinding pains exerted on our collective psyche by the rapidly dwindling and ailing economy under this administration”, he said
Adodo noted that while the economy had been grappling with so much hardships, hunger and sufferings; the federal government had chosen to be preoccupied with blaming the past administration instead of generating solutions as promised during the campaign for change.
“The fight against corruption has become highly sensational, jaundiced, and thoroughly compromised due to overbearing political undertones and motives.”
“At best the fight against corruption can aptly be described as political witch-hunt and desperate attempt to muffle the voice of the opposition political parties and any voice of dissent and constructive criticism,” Adodo stated.
The group stated categorically that, “the Prof. Itse Sagay Committee is alien to our law in the manner it operates, as it cannot usurp the constitutionally spelt out roles of the anti-graft agencies and the judiciary.”
Adodo stressed that, “the EFCC in consonance with its establishing Act is expected to be fair, shrewd, balance and highly professional in investigating corruption, it has rather been converted to a tool for hunting down opposition…”
“We call on the National Assembly to rise up to correct the executive from further progressing in error on the shoddy and ill-motivated anti-corruption fight,” Adodo noted.
The protesters armed with various placards with various inscription like; “Stop selective witch-hunt: focus on the economy, EFCC, Stop being political and unprofessional, Save our economy, Nigerians demand, Anti-Corruption war is a deceptive smokescreen, Prof. Sagay commit: A paid piper,” among others.
Receiving the letter on behalf of the National Assembly, Mr. Dennis Maji from the Office of the Sergeant-at-arms, commended the protesters for organising themselves in an orderly manner, while assuring them that the letter would be delivered to the appropriate quarters.
