Democracy Day: Why we focus on corruption-Buhari
By Tony Ailemen, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, traced Nigeria’s economic woes to corruption, saying that his administration’s anti-corruption war is to ensure effective and just utilisation of public resources.
President Buhari listed the damages corruption has visited on the psyche of Nigerians as including “accelerating poverty, conflicts and civil disturbances, adding that ” those who feel short-changed, resort to violence and destruction.”
Speaking at this year’s Democracy Day celebration with the theme: “Peace Building and Good Governance for Sustainable Development’’, at the International conference center, Abuja, President Buhari said ” our resolve to fight corruption was informed by the realisation that reducing corruption and ensuring the effective and just utilisation of public resources, are crucial for achieving sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.”
According to the President, “Corruption has been at the root of most of the development challenges of our country.”
The President insisted that,”There can be no progress in any facet of our national life unless we tackle and curb corruption.”
President Buhari noted that the theme has been carefully selected to reflect the nation’s current opportunities and challenges.
For him, “good governance is the polar opposite to corruption.” He stressed that his administration “will not relent in our efforts to eliminate it regardless of the opposition.”
Noting that the country has experienced rough times, he added “through good governance we have not allowed ourselves to be overawed by the existing of challenges.
“Weak governance is often at the core of rising inequality and unequal development resulting in social disruption and political unrest with negative impacts on growth and development.”
The President listed engagements in several rounds of dialogue and town hall meetings, targeted at peace building, between the aggrieved and in some cases warring factions and communities, as part of efforts to tackle some of the challenges.
“We are still grappling but successfully, with border disputes and restoring the much needed peaceful co-existence amongst our people and neighbouring countries. The rebuilding of the North-East is ongoing, to return our internally displaced brothers, sisters and children to their ancestral homes”
He therefore urged Nigerians to ” keep faith” with the current administration as it remains committed to good governance and peace building.”
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