By Tony Campbell
Special Correspondent, Benin
It is not true that President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft war targets opposition members, says Paul Ogbebor, the national Chairman of Concerned Edo Leaders of Thought (CELT).
Ogbebor, a retired colonel now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recalled in Benin City that Buhari promised on the campaign trail in 2015 to curb corruption, stop insurgency, and create jobs.
So far, he said, the president has delivered on promise, except in the provision of jobs, which should not be used to assess his capability as the 2016 budget was approved only a few months ago.
Ogbebor argued that those who expect so much from Buhari are not being fair as they should consider that he assumed office just over a year ago.
“When Buhari was campaigning in 2015, he promised to do three things – revamp the economy through giving employment to youths, fight insurgency, and put a stop to corruption.
“He has so far done satisfactorily in two out of the three areas he hammered on. The only area he has not done much is in employment opportunities for youths.
“You cannot blame him for that because he got his budget proposal for 2016 endorsed by the National Assembly (NASS) a few weeks ago.
“He could not have been operating in a vacuum considering he needs money to set most things in motion,” Ogbebor reiterated.
He dismissed allegations that the Buhari administration is using the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to witch-hunt members of the opposition.
“Buhari has always said that he would fight corruption and he is carrying it out with all seriousness. I don’t see anything wrong in the way and manner he is carrying out the fight.
“His concern is about those who were at the centre – the federal level. He has nothing to do with those in states. Those he is after at the moment were those who stole from the federal purse.
“And these are majorly PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) members. They were fully in control of the government.
“Or do you want him to arrest you who do not know anything about happenings in the centre all because he wants to show that he is equitable?
“The EFCC is on course. Wole Soyinka said if you fight corruption it will fight you back. That is just what is playing out with this insinuation about PDP members being witch-hunted.”
