NASS Frustrating Buhari’s Anti-Corruption War, Sagay Fires Back At Saraki

The war of words between the Executive and Legislature seems to have been re-ignited after Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Monday threw a shade at President Muhammadu Buhari’s approach to fighting corruption.

Saraki had during the launch of Dino Melaye’s book, ‘Antidotes for Corruption: The Nigerian Story’ noted that the current anti-corruption war had not “yielded much success” because the executive favoured punishment over deterrence.

“We must review our approaches by building our institutions to make it difficult for people to carry out corrupt practices,” Saraki said on Monday.

Reacting to the claim, chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Itse Sagay said the federal lawmakers are consciously frustrating the anti-corruption efforts of the government and anti-graft agencies.

Explaining further Sagay said the Legislative arm was intent on weakening the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“In fact, the National Assembly has constituted itself into an opposition to the anti-corruption struggle. It has mounted a war against the anti-corruption struggle. It has decided to obstruct it at every stage,” he said.

“For example, the bill for a special criminal court is not moving. And we saw the way they tried to stop Magu from being chairman of EFCC just because they found out he was effective, determined and incorruptible.

“So they really want to weaken it, destroy it and bring it to the level it was when Jonathan was in power. So, they’re enemies of the anti-corruption struggle, there’s no question about that.

Contrary to Saraki’s claim that the anti-corruption war was all about jailing people, Sagay added, “What we are determined to do at any cost is to recover every stolen kobo, all the loot taken from Nigeria, 100 per cent”.