‘No apologies! No shame!’ — Lai blasts ‘treasury looters’ presenting themselves as saviours

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says some people who looted the treasury of the nation are now presenting themselves as saviours.

He said this in Abuja at the inauguration of the Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR), which includes civil society organisations (CSOs), media groups, government agencies and other stakeholders.

Mohammed also said some of the people accusing the current administration of being selective in the war against corruption are apologists for treasury looters.

He said Nigerians must not see the anti-corruption fight as that of President Muhammadu Buhari or the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The minister added that once Nigerians take possession of the anti-corruption war, looters would have nowhere to hide.

“Once Nigerians take possession of the war, there will be no more hiding place for the corrupt,” he said.

“Those accusing the administration of engaging in a selective anti-corruption fight will be exposed for who they are: apologists for treasury looters!’

“Those who turned our treasury to their piggy bank are once again presenting themselves as the saviours of the nation.

“They say the best time for Nigeria was when the proceeds of their corruption subsidised many and gave the illusion of economic boom. They are so emboldened as to say Nigerians are earnestly yearning for them. No contrition.

“No apologies, no shame, just sheer bravado, unbridled arrogance and revisionism. The CSOs, the media and indeed all stakeholders owe it a duty not to allow Nigerians to forget to say ‘Never Again’ to those who view Nigeria as nothing but a cash cow to be milked to death.’’

Mohammed challenged the CSOs to work with the media and other stakeholders to ensure that Nigerians never forget the damage done to the country by treasury looters.

The minister said the formation of the ACSR could not have come at a better time than when the Buhari administration’s fight against corruption was gaining momentum and the government winning the war.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Olanrewaju Suraju, chairman, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), said the ACSR was the initiative of his group in partnership with other anti-corruption CSOs.

He said they were also partnering with the labour movement, the law enforcement agencies, the parliament and the judiciary.

Suraju said the ACSR was formed to ensure that Nigerians take ownership of the fight against corruption.