Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Nigerians to channel their protest against corruption rather than blaming the government for the current economic hardship the country is currently facing.
According to him, one of the major problems Nigeria has suffered so far is the looting of its resources by some individuals.
He gave the charge at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday shortly before presiding over a meeting of heads of security and anti-corruption agencies and some cabinet ministers.
Osinbajo said that the fight against corruption should not be seen as an effort targeted at witch-hunting a few selected politicians, but a just war the government is waging to salvage the nation from economic woes.
He said: “The major problem Nigeria has suffered so far is the looting of its resources. Government needs the TUC, The NLC, the working classes, the civil society to speak-up against corruption.
“We need to really learn to speak-up, because if you look at what is going on, the campaigns that are going on people are carrying on as if it is only the members of the opposition that is being punished.
“Look, if the evidence points to you; you should not have the excuse that you are being which hunted.”
In attendance during the meeting were: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),Ekpo Nta; the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura; and, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu in attendance.
After the deliberations, which reportedly lasted about two hours, the EFCC boss, who declined to speak on the outcome of the meeting, reiterated the need for all Nigerians to join the ongoing fight against corruption.
“I’m asking all Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption; adults, children, men, women and including you journalists.
“Corruption is the greatest menace we are facing in the country. Corruption is responsible for the recession we are witnessing today.
“So, all Nigerians must join in the fight against corruption,’’ he said.
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