- Says Tinubu Fulfilling Promise Of Fighting Corruption Without Favoritism
- Reveals How CBN, NSA Interventions In FX Market Have Yielded Desired Results
- Optimistic Nigeria’s Economy Will Experience Significant Growth Soon
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that his principal, President Bola Tinubu is hell-bent on fighting corruption without interference or favouritism.
The Matrix reports that no fewer than 10 high profile cases involving high-ranking members of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) are currently being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seemingly lending credence to the VP’s assertion.
For example, former Minister of Aviation during Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Hadi Sirika, is currently in the middle of an ongoing investigation by the anti-graft agency, amounting to about N8 billion.
Similarly, in a case now marked by controversy and media debates, the EFCC is pursuing charges against the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, a staunch supporter of President Tinubu and three other individuals, namely, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu. They face 19 counts related to money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion.
Two former Ekiti States governors, Kayode Fayemi and Ayo Fayose; both loyalists of Tinubu are currently facing trial while a serving minister in Tinubu’s administration, former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle is also not spared.
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Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum under Buhari, and the governorship candidate of the APC in the just concluded Bayelsa State Governorship election is under probe for alleged N19.2bn money laundering.
Former Nasarawa State governor, and immediate past national chairman of the APC Abdullahi Adamu is currently facing a probe same as his successor, and serving Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
The EFCC had also recently commenced the probe of Sadiya Umar-Farouk (former humanitarian affairs), over an alleged N37.1bn fraud. Umar-Farouq served under Buhari.
The commission is also probing the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and the embattled Coordinator of the suspended National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, over alleged N81.6bn fraud uncovered in the ministry showing that no one is spared in the fight against corruption.
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Reacting to all these, Shettima while speaking on Thursday during the second edition of the Chronicle roundtable organised by 21st Century Media Services, publishers of 21st Century Chronicle said the ongoing prosecution of high-profile corruption cases shows a “new era of accountability”.
“Our promise to wage war against corruption without interference or favouritism is being fulfilled,” Shettima said.
“The ongoing high-profile cases indicate a new era of accountability. The administration’s revenue drive is on track to deliver outstanding results, with the continued digitization of revenue collection in all ministries, departments, and agencies.”
Shettima said the removal of the petrol subsidy was the “biggest elephant in the room” before Tinubu’s administration came on board.
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He said it would amount to an “economic death sentence” if the federal government did not remove the subsidy amid the economic condition of the country.
He added that other presidential candidates did not question the removal of the petrol subsidy because they also promised the same.
“We understood why our predecessor made the decision to remove them and refused to budget for it in their final fiscal year,” Shettima said.
“The year before we took office, Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio had grown to 111.8 percent.
“The anticipated debt crisis may sound like fancy economic jargon to the man on the street, but you and I are in a better position to understand how such miscalculations have played out in other countries. It’s an economic death sentence.”
Shettima also disclosed that the interventions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) in the foreign exchange (FX) market have “translated into desired results”.
READ ALSO: How Shettima Laughed Nigeria In Dollar Distress
It would be recalled that on February 24, the CBN and the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) sealed a partnership to investigate and penalise those involved in illicit activities within the foreign exchange (FX) market.
The decision was against the backdrop of the unending depreciation of the naira and its accompanying negative impact on inflation and economic instability.
Speaking at the event, the vice-president said Nigeria has been facing economic sabotage for long, prompting Yemi Cardoso, CBN’s governor, and Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, to take action against those plotting to frustrate the country’s reforms.
This action, he said, has led to the desired outcomes.
“For long, Nigeria had endured economic sabotage, leading to the resolve by Governor of the central bank, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, to take matters into their hands to neutralise the overpowering influence of currency manipulators who had conspired to frustrate our reforms,” Shettima said.
“Today, I stand proud to say that their interventions have translated into desired results, and Naira’s pushback against all odds is an inspiring journey that doesn’t have to be learned in Buenos Aires, as some would want us to do.”
Shettima urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu “as he steers the ship of state through the economic turbulence and storm he met on ground on assumption of office”.
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According to Shettima, the administration is eager for a positive impact on the economy from various new initiatives in sectors such as oil and gas, creative arts, steel and solid minerals, housing, blue economy, and digital sectors.
“There is no doubt that there’s a time to plant and a time to reap,” the vice-president said.
“In between those times, we appeal for patience and seek collective sacrifice from all, especially from us. We wish there were a way to treat this ailment without surgery.
“Soon, Nigeria’s economy will experience significant growth once we’ve overcome these sacrifices.
“Positive changes will soon be evident across all economic indicators – inflation, per capita income, GDP numbers, poverty reduction, food security, and all aspects close to the hearts of our people.”
