President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons why members of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and appointees of his boss have not been tried for alleged corruption.
The spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this on a radio programme, The Podium, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the weekend. He also explained that the October 7-8 raid by the Department of State Services (DSS) on the residences of some judges was not a declaration of war on the Judiciary.
He, however, insisted the raids were efforts to rid the country of corruption.
Adesina also explained that APC members and appointees were not being prosecuted for corruption because of “lack of evidence” and added that anybody indicted of corruption “will face prosecution, irrespective of his or her political party.”
The presidential spokesman further pointed out that the fact that a member of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crosses over to APC does not provide automatic shield and maintained that, “whoever is indicted will be prosecuted.”
Adesina also decried propaganda of ban on rice importation.
“Ban on rice importation via land borders was placed so as to curtail smuggling and ensure revenue generation from rice importation. Importation of rice via our sea borders remains legal.”
Adesina noted that the Buhari-led Federal Government is serious about diversification of the economy.
“We have got to the point in which we have to diversify or die.
“Government has disbursed money so as to heavily invest in agriculture and mining.”
On the raid on some judges by the DSS, the Special Adviser remarked that “it was only a raid on corruption and not the Judiciary.
“Mr. President has said it all. No one is out to intimidate the Judiciary. The DSS raid was a raid on corruption and not the Judiciary,” he insisted.