The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has claimed the reason the All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked the Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay, had to do with his refusal to shield corrupt members of the Party.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, CACOL’s Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran said Sagay was doing his best to expose corruption in the system but was being frustrated by some elements in the APC.
He accused the APC leadership of not being happy with Sagay for doing his best to name and shame alleged culprits in the fight against corruption.
Adeniran also said it may be very difficult for the party leadership to influence Sagay’s removal as long as President Muhammadu Buhari was satisfied with the latter’s performance in office.
He further revealed that even though he was not as prominent as Sagay, politicians were not happy with how his organisation had exposed corrupt activities in the country.
“I believe the imbroglio between Prof Sagay and the APC leadership is all about politicking. APC wants to politik, Sagay doesn’t want to. The APC want their corrupt members protected, but Sagay kept on exposing them.
“The APC doesn’t like what Sagay is saying about members of the National Assembly.
“The entire expose he has come up with which members of the NASS have not been able to contradict, the APC don’t like that. Sagay is a man of integrity who had never soiled his image anywhere.
“So basically he has all the qualifications to say what he is saying and doing what he is doing but because the APC wants to protect the interest of their members, they don’t like what he is saying and they chose to attack him.
“They wanted to make allegation of corruption a family affair and to be swept under the carpet.
“Basically, Sagay is right. APC has not given any reason why he should be removed and I am not sure the president will budge because the president wants those who hate corruption and who will help him fight corruption.
“So, APC has no power to remove him and because they didn’t recommend him to the president, it will be difficult for them to compel the president to remove him.
“Anybody can recommend anyone for removal. It is just a matter of what impression somebody makes in the mind of those recommending.
“However, they don’t have the power to remove him except the president who appoints him is dissatisfied with his performance.” Adeniran said.
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