More Vocal Nigeria President Vows To Sack Any Corrupt Minister

by Benson Agoha | Media Reports
Nigerian President Says he carefully selected his ministers to avoid embarrassment to his government - and will sack laggards among them.

* President Muhammadu Burahi is a no-nonsensical Leader
and wager of anti-corruption war. (Credit: Pulse).

President Muhammadu Buhari is finally settling down to running the country and confronting challenges to his ability to do his job. And he his becoming more vocal, as evidenced by recent speeches attributed to him.

In a recent report, the President reportedly challenged the Igbos to explain what they mean by `marginalization' for which they are clamouring for cessation.

In another report, he restated his resolve to fighting corruption - a continuation in fact of his War Against Indiscipline which heralded his first taste of executive powers as a military Head of State, between 31 December 1983 – 27 August 1985.

On taking over the reigns of office from for President Goodluck Jonathan, President Buhari refused to appoint Ministers, instead he retained Permanent Secretaries in their various positions in Nigeria's parastatals.

With expectation of Nigerians for immediate changes seemingly high, his unforgiving critics nicknamed him "Baba Go Slow".

But what looked like a slow pace was actually a tactical move from the man who bagged himself a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, Carlisle, PA, United States of America.

But during the recent end-of-year Presidential Media Chat (Pulse), the Nigerian President said he had carefully selected his Ministers to avoid embarrassing his government and threatened to sack laggards among them.

“I have been a democrat since April 2002", President Buhari told them during Last Wednesday chat, adding "..I don’t think I picked anyone that will embarrass my government."

He is even prepared to accept responsibility for their actions, telling the media "..But if you have got any evidence against any of my ministers, I accept responsibility for the 36 ministers that I have."

He told them he made careful choices during the selection..“I don’t think I picked anyone that has a case in court on corruption; tell me one out of the 36. I know that I have never appointed anyone that is in court for corruption. I don’t think I would have deliberately made that kind of mistake."

And he will let the court do its job, if any member of his cabinet deviates from the moral and professional path: “If anyone is caught, I will not only sack but I will ensure that the case is taken to court.”

The President urged Nigerians to join in his anti-corruption battle in order to cleanse the country and improve her international image, vowing not to repeat any mistake of the previous administrations by letting corrupt government officials go unpunished.

* Pulse contributed to this report.

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