Deputy National Chairman, North, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Lawan Shuaibu, on Sunday said that President Muhammadu Buhari would not stop corruption probe of any member of the party, especially the ministerial nominees.
Shuaibu who spoke to some Journalists in Abuja said that the president government came on the background of change and was ready to effect changes in the social circles.
He however stated that the government would not act on mere allegations and petitions until such had been proven by the courts which may also pronounce judgments on the accused.
He said: “You see the president has said several times that he believes in the rule of law, that he respects the rule of the law. Anything that is not in line with the constitution and the extant laws of this country, he would go for it. When it comes to the issue of the choice of people who will serve as ministers in his administration. I believe that until one convicted in the law court, we will be chasing shadows on the basis of suspicions and assumptions.
“If he decides to interpret the laws in the case of people facing investigation, I think he is quite free to go ahead with it.
“I think, quite frankly that he is not going to stop any investigations against any member of his cabinet. But should that investigation lead to conviction in courts, I assure you even before President Buhari ask them to resign, such a person would have brought a letter of resignation. The president cannot intervene, I assure you, in a matter before the court on behalf of anybody including his own child.”
The APC scribe also refuted the insinuations in some quarters that the current anti corruption crusade of president Buhari was selective.
“What did you expect the president to do? President Buhari has made it clear, even during his recent interview in New York, he said he would not be interfering with judicial process or procedures and he will wait to see when a court makes a decision on anyone, that is now when he will respect the decision of the court.
“And when you talk about people who have contributed to his emergence as president, I do not expect anybody who contributed to the emergence of President Buhari in the last general election to do so because they wanted cover from corruption prosecution. If anybody thinks that way, I would to say that President Buhari is not thinking that way,” he said.
Shuaibu also said that APC government would earnestly kick off to realize the dreams of Nigerians immediately after the nominees had been screened and sworn in.
“As soon as the ministers are sworn-in, the business of governance will fully commence in earnest and actual implementation of the programmes of government will start off,” Shuaibu said.
He however stated that the government would not act on mere allegations and petitions until such had been proven by the courts which may also pronounce judgments on the accused.
He said: “You see the president has said several times that he believes in the rule of law, that he respects the rule of the law. Anything that is not in line with the constitution and the extant laws of this country, he would go for it. When it comes to the issue of the choice of people who will serve as ministers in his administration. I believe that until one convicted in the law court, we will be chasing shadows on the basis of suspicions and assumptions.
“If he decides to interpret the laws in the case of people facing investigation, I think he is quite free to go ahead with it.
“I think, quite frankly that he is not going to stop any investigations against any member of his cabinet. But should that investigation lead to conviction in courts, I assure you even before President Buhari ask them to resign, such a person would have brought a letter of resignation. The president cannot intervene, I assure you, in a matter before the court on behalf of anybody including his own child.”
The APC scribe also refuted the insinuations in some quarters that the current anti corruption crusade of president Buhari was selective.
“What did you expect the president to do? President Buhari has made it clear, even during his recent interview in New York, he said he would not be interfering with judicial process or procedures and he will wait to see when a court makes a decision on anyone, that is now when he will respect the decision of the court.
“And when you talk about people who have contributed to his emergence as president, I do not expect anybody who contributed to the emergence of President Buhari in the last general election to do so because they wanted cover from corruption prosecution. If anybody thinks that way, I would to say that President Buhari is not thinking that way,” he said.
Shuaibu also said that APC government would earnestly kick off to realize the dreams of Nigerians immediately after the nominees had been screened and sworn in.
“As soon as the ministers are sworn-in, the business of governance will fully commence in earnest and actual implementation of the programmes of government will start off,” Shuaibu said.
