I’m not using DSS against PDP, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has denied that his war against corruption is targeted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as alleged by 49 PDP senators on Friday.

Although the PDP senate caucus had expressed its support for the president, it did not hide its “unhappiness with the current trend that seems to suggest that the war against corruption is selective and targeted at PDP stalwarts and states”.

Responding on Sunday in a statement issued by Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Buhari stated “without equivocation that the allegation is false, baseless and totally unjustifiable”.

He maintained that it is not his duty to give daily instructions to state security agencies, such as the Department of State Services (which searched the homes of Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel and former national security adviser, last month), and the independent national electoral commission, both of which he has been accused of interfering with.

“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, we affirm that having made his zero tolerance for corruption clear to all and sundry, President Muhammadu Buhari does not micro-manage or interfere in the daily work of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies,” the statement read.

“The wild allegation of bias and partisanship in the fight against corruption shouldn’t have come therefore from respected and distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That claim belongs to the past and not the present. Public officials and other leaders accused of corruption by relevant agencies should plead their innocence, not malice.

“President Buhari’s unwavering stance is that whosoever is charged with corruption should face the law irrespective of whether they are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or any other political party.

“As far as the President is concerned, corruption has no political party, no religion and no ethnic group.”

It reminded the PDP senate caucus that right from 2003 when he started campaigning for the presidency, Buhari consistently promised to do his best to curb corruption in the country.

“The president remains wholly committed to fulfilling that promise and will not be deterred from the relentless prosecution of the war against corruption because he remains convinced that, as he has said, ‘unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria’.

“The claim by the PDP Senate caucus that President Buhari and his administration are meddling in election petition cases through the Department of State Services (DSS) is also untrue.

“The duties of the DSS and other security agencies are clearly spelt out in the laws establishing them. The Federal Government led by President Buhari does not give them instructions regarding their daily operations.

“Election Tribunals and the Independent National Electoral Commission in Rivers, Abia and Akwa-Ibom States do not operate under the guidance of the President.

“Any individual or group of individuals who think that their legitimate political and civil rights are infringed upon by the DSS or any institution is advised to seek protection and redress under our constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria instead of resorting to baseless allegations against the Buhari Administration.

“On President Buhari’s watch, the rule of law, not impunity, shall govern every aspect of life in Nigeria and there will be no room for sentiments, bias and corruption in the application of the laws of the land.

“President Buhari also wishes to re-assure all Nigerians that his administration will not discriminate against individuals or groups in the performance of its duties and that favours or patronage will not be dispensed on the basis of votes.

“The President remains committed to his Oath of Office and the letters and spirit of the constitution. He calls on all Nigerians to join hands with him in the fight against insecurity, corruption and impunity in Nigeria so that we can have a country that will prosper for the benefit of all of its citizens and future generations of Nigerians.”