"How Buhari Corrupts INEC, Judiciary"- Prof.Sagay

Head of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption to President Muhammadu Buhari and renowned constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay has revealed that the President’s party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) is more corrupt than the ousted People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He said in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune that the APC is peopled by very clever and highly intelligent, as well as criminally minded people taking advantage of any slightest opportunity or loophole unlike the PDP. “I am telling you sincerely, you can hardly beat them in such an issue.”

Speaking on the knotty issues of the Kogi governorship election and other political cases before the courts in Nigeria, Sagay said most of the political judgements in court now will be tilting in favour of the APC because they are in power.

He said in Kogi State, the most eligible person to have been used to replace the late Abubakar Audu in the supplementary election was Audu’s running mate, James Faleke but because a powerful caucus felt he would not listen to them, the powers that be within the party manipulated the whole situation against him.

Alleging that the judiciary is being manipulated by the executive, he said the independence of the judiciary is just a mere saying.

“For instance, a judge can be fired by the person (the President) that puts him there if he gives a judgement that is not pleasing to his party. And because the judge is still interested in his job, he will want to act to the script.”

He also alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is being seriously compromised by the politicians in power.

“I am very close to some of their top officials somehow and I know that they dance to the tune of the politicians, especially the incumbents. For instance in Kogi, before the election, the people and key PDP stalwarts did not support the candidacy of Idris Wada. However, the APC should not have got that kind of votes. And when that kind of thing happens, that is the loophole INEC takes advantage of to the advantage of whoever it wants to support. People still buy INEC and that is the truth. For instance in Lagos State, no other party win except the APC.”

Sagay also alleged that all INEC officials in Lagos State are under the payroll of a powerful politician and leader of the APC.

“All the INEC officials in Lagos are on the payroll of someone who will ask you what it takes to win. Someone who is ready to give you more than you ask for. It is everywhere but it depends on who can spend more.”

He also did not spare the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) saying the institutions lack integrity.

He said: “Immediately President Buhari got to Aso Rock, the EFCC and DSS, as if they have not existed before, began to arrest and do all sort of things.

“But if you look at it holistically, are they saying it is only PDP governors and public office holders that are corrupt? No. One thing is that they are doing whatever they are doing to please the President, who can hire and fire them. Which of the governors out of the 36 States is not corrupt? So, why is it that only PDP people are being chased up and down? The anti-corruption crusade is being selective.”

Accusing President Buhari of lack of seriousness in his anti-corruption campaign, he said all others in APC who are stealing should also be chased adding that his party men will do a job meant for N50billion for N100billion.

“It is only then that the fight against corruption can be seen as fair and balanced. When there is no equity and justice, people will begin to doubt your integrity in whatever you are pursuing.

“For instance, if we recall 1983 when Buhari/Idiagbon came to office, immediately they knew there was corruption, they changed Nigerian currency so that all the people that had stolen money and kept it at home had such rendered useless and all corrupt officials were arrested.

“But you also have to remember that Ambrose Ali died in prison, Adelakun who was deputy governor to Bola Ige died in prison, Olabisi Onabanjo developed kidney problem in prison. Most of these people were Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) governors. But in whose house was N50million cash belonging to the government found? That person was only given a house arrest, because he is a Northerner. No Northerner was treated the way they treated the Southern governors.

“That is why as much as I know President Buhari, his sincerity is not total.

“If you remember the case of 53 suit cases, Abubakar Atiku was the Customs Officer in charge and it was through the back door that they used to bring in the suit cases to Nigeria. But they were intercepted; when Atiku wanted to make trouble about it, he was sacked by President Buhari and nothing was done.

“Our anti-graft fight is cosmetic; we are not serious about it, I must be sincere with you. What people don’t know is that APC is more corrupt, they will defraud Nigerians more than the PDP.”

Nigerian Times.