President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has offered reasons why leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and those in the president’s cabinet are not being prosecuted for corruption.
The presidential spokesman, who made this known while featuring as a guest on a radio programme, Sweet F.M’s Podium in Abeokuta, also argued that the federal government’s anti-corruption fight was not selective.
According to him, APC chieftains and appointees are not being prosecuted because no evidence had been put forward indicting them of being involved in corrupt practices.
“The onus lies on he who alledges to also prove,” he said. “The fact that any PDP member crosses to APC does not provide automatic shield. Whoever is indicted will be prosecuted.”
On the arrest of judges, Mr. Adesina said the raid on judges was only a raid on corruption and not the judiciary.
“Mr. President has said it all. No one is out to intimidate the judiciary. DSS raid was a raid on corruption not Judiciary,” he said.
On the importation of rice, Mr. Adesina clarified that the Federal Government did not ban the importation of rice, but only took steps to curtail the activities of smugglers at the nation’s land borders.
Mr.Adesina lamented the widespread misinformation that the government had banned the importation of rice.
“Importation of rice via our sea borders remain legal,” Mr. Adesina said.
He said the Buhari-led Federal government was committed to the diversification of the economy.
“We have gotten to the point in which we have to diversify or die,” he said.
“The Federal government has disbursed money so as to heavily invest in Agriculture and Mining.
“Dr. Fayemi has told us that the results of the ongoing investment may not be clearly seen in less than 30 years. However, we will lay the foundation.”
Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Adesina said he, perhaps, would have done all he could to stop his appointment as the President’s media aide if he had a hint about the possibility of his appointment.
“I was not expecting it. Maybe if I knew, I would have done all in my powers to make sure it did not happen,” he said.
“I have known him since he started contesting and wrote good things about him but I did not know he will appoint me as his adviser.”
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