For the first time since he came to power, President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to one of the criticisms which the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose has waged against his government in recent time.
President Buhari said when he spoke to some journalists in London before he embarked on a short vacation: “I understand the Governor of Ekiti said that every trip I have made costs Nigeria at least one million dollars. I don’t know how he worked that out.”
President Muhammadu Buhari made it clear that his trips outside the country have political and economic benefits for Nigeria, adding: “I haven’t seen any fruitless journey that I have undertaken. For every trip I have made, there must be reasons – economic and political, to justify the trip.
“So, those who don’t see it the way the government sees it have the rights not to agree and to say whatever they like,” he said.
The President also debunked allegations that he is selective in his administration’s fight against corruption, insisting that no corrupt official in government will go free.
“There is no way we will get a record of any public officer that has misappropriated public funds and leave him alone,” he affirmed, adding that he would not soft pedal in the fight.
The President also clarified the Nigerian military’s claim that they are winning the war against Boko Haram.
“Boko Haram used to effectively control 14 local governments and they hoist their flag and declare a caliphate of some sort.
“But now, Boko Haram is not holding any local government. They are being dispersed, they are in pockets and they have reverted to technology.
“Improvised Explosive Devices – they get cooking gas, some wares and metals, put them together and get girls mostly from the age of 15 downwards and detonate it in churches, mosques, market places and motor parks and kill people en masse. That is what they do now.
“We will continue to fight terrorism. People cannot just come and say they know where the Chibok girls are and they want money. Money, what for?
“Let them deliver, or let us negotiate. If their leadership of Boko Haram is credible, is a bonafide established, then the government is willing to discuss with them to arrive at an agreement on how to recover the girls.”
President Buhari is expected back from his short vacation on Wednesday, February 10. [myad]
