Federal Government Denies Using Anti-Corruption Agencies For Witch-hunt

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said the President Bola Tinubu administration did not weaponise anti-corruption agencies against the opposition politicians.

Speaking at the opening of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) Roundtable Engagement on Agenda Setting for Strategic Integration of State Commissioners of Information in the Fight Against Corruption, held in Abuja on Wednesday, Idris said the administration maintains the policy of non-interference in the work of anti-graft institutions.

“Fighting corruption is indeed one of the 8-Point priorities of the Tinubu administration, and that is why the President is strengthening the institutional framework to fight corruption, especially through the ICPC and the EFCC.

“By its policy of non-interference, the Tinubu administration has made it clear that anti-corruption agencies are not instruments of political witch-hunt. They operate with independence and professionalism in line with the rule of law,” he said.

However, the Minister buttressed the President’s position that there will be no safe haven for corruption in Nigeria.

Idris said the President was implementing far-reaching judicial reforms aimed at curbing unnecessary delays in corruption trials, ensuring that justice is neither denied nor endlessly deferred.

He noted that the theme of the roundtable: “Partnership for Strengthening Transparency and Accountability at State and Local Government Levels Through Strategic Communications” amply justifies the presence of all State Commissioners of Information, who have the onerous task of distilling and cascading information to other strata of the Nigerian society.

Idris stressed that transparency and accountability constitute strong pillars of democracy and are, unarguably, at the core of President Tinubu’s Grundnorm of the administration.

He urged state governments to set aside political partisanship and embrace the vast opportunities inherent in President Tinubu’s agenda in reshaping the economy to address years of neglect.

“I wish to implore you all, Honourable Commissioners, that irrespective of the political party you belong to, it is important you identify with the massive opportunities inherent in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, who is relentless in reshaping our economy to address years of neglect, and its limitations, and in turn achieve inclusion, diversification, growth and steady development,” he said.

The minister commended the ICPC, under the chairmanship of Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, for its creative approach to development communication, which engages key stakeholders in the states and local government councils who in turn were expected to communicate government policies to the grassroots.