President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday hit the nail on the head on corruption when he declared that the hydra-headed monster had taken a cultural dimension that required concerted efforts by religious leaders and all Nigerians to crush.
And following complaints of injustice and insecurity in the country by Muslim and Christian leaders at separate closed-door meetings with him, the President promised to right the wrongs in the body polity.
In a statement after the meetings, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the President told the CAN delegation that he had issued instructions for the submission of all the names of heads of parastatals in order to address the allegations of lop-sidedness in appointments.
President Buhari told the JNI delegation that corruption in the country had taken a cultural dimension, and called on religious leaders and and the citizenry to join in the fight against the menace.
“When something becomes a culture, it is more difficult to stop, but collectively we will prevail,’’ he said.
The Christian delegation was led by the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle and the Muslim delegation was led by the Secretary General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu.
“On the question of one-sided appointments, we will look at it. I have given instructions that a list of all heads of parastatals be submitted to me and I know they will not delay in doing that.
“There is no way we can be comfortable in our country unless we are lucky to have a good police force and judiciary.
“We need a good police force and judiciary to really maintain the legitimacy and the confidence of the populace in governance,’’ the President added.
He assured the religious leaders that constitutionality will be the guiding principle in dealing with those caught in corruption.
The Secretary General of JNI urged President Buhari to concentrate on the yearnings of Nigerians, adding that he should be guided by the fear of God.