Buhari in Ekiti, says ‘fighting corruption in Nigeria difficult’

President Muhammadu Buhari said in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on Tuesday that in spite of the difficulty his administration was facing in the fight against corruption, it would not be discouraged.
“We are fighting corruption but it has not been easy. But we told the security agencies to keep tab on those on our watch list and ensure that no stone is left unturned to ensuring that those who have cases to answer do not escape justice,’’ Buhari said as he campaigned for re-election.
The president, who was with the Vice-President,  Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and other senior party members, told the mammoth crowd at the 15,000 capacity Ekiti Pavilion that he would not be discouraged to rid the country of graft as he promised in 2015.
He said that in addition to the fight against corruption, his administration had made efforts in the last three and a half years  to revamp the economy and rebuild social infrastructure, such as roads, rail services and power generation.

Buhari said he was conscious of the promises he made four years ago, particularly the ones that had to do
with corruption, insecurity and economic diversification.
“As part of our promises, we are building roads, rail lines ,fighting corruption . We introduced Treasury Single Account and increased  power  supply, so Nigerians can have their own businesses.
“I want to be grateful to Ekiti voters because the two times I came here, I achieved successes . I came here in 2014 and I also came here to campaign for Fayemi, he won the governorship election, so I thank you”, he said.
The president said the efforts in infrastructure repair had started yielding positive results and urged the people to vote for All Progressives Congress(APC) to fully deliver on its promises.
Other party leaders at the rally were  Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Gboyega Oyetola, (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo State), Rotimi Akeredolu, (Ondo) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun).
Also at the rally were a former Interim National  Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola  Tinubu, Afenifere Leader, Ayo Fasanmi and Chief Olusola Oke, a party chieftain.
At the rally, a former deputy governor of Ekiti, Chief Abiodun Aluko, formally defected to APC and so did some members of Ekiti State House of Assembly, who moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Alagbada, are Mrs Cecelia Dada representing Ilejemeje Constituency and Mr Olanrewaju Olayanju from Emure Constituency.
In his address, Osinbajo said it was sad that Nigeria earned 383 billion dollars  from crude oil sales between 2010 and 2014 under the leadership of Dr Goodluck Jonathan but failed to use it wisely.
“That was when we had the highest (earning) but nothing was done with it.
“If that money had been utilised judiciously, all the roads, rail lines and employment we are creating would have long been in place for Nigerians.

“Buhari built three refineries as Minister of Petroleum under military era. No government has ever added one, not even during the 16 years of PDP.
“Don’t let them deceive you, vote for a president you can trust, that is President Buhari,” Osinbajo advised.
He said that youth employment was paramount to Buhari’s government and that was the reason the administration brought about N-power scheme to empower young graduates.
The National Chairman of APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, said it would be a big mistake if Nigerians elected the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the February 16 poll.
Oshiomhole said Atiku owed Nigerians explanation over the alleged stealing of millions of dollars belonging to
Petroleum Trust  Development Fund which he supervised during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Fasanmi and Akande described the Reuben Fasoranti-led faction of Afenifere  which  endorsed Atiku, as political jobbers, who should not be taken serious.
Fayemi promised the president that he would win in Ekiti and other South-West states in the coming election and urged residents to vote massively for him.
“The Buhari-led government  is planning to expand Ado-Akure road, complete the federal housing units, the federal secretariat and also extend  the Lagos-Kano rail line to our dear state
“We, therefore, have no option than to return President Buhari, because Ekiti people are progressives,” he said.
Buhari also met traditional rulers in Ekiti, seeking their support for his re-election bid ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Buhari met with the traditional rulers at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, where he sought their support for his government to guarantee peace in the country.
He said he had not disappointed Nigerians on the promises he made in 2015 to secure the nation, fight corruption and diversify the economy.
“Let me first thank the people of Ekiti for voting for Governor Fayemi in the July 14 election. I love the pattern of voting and I am pleased with it.
“When we were campaigning in 2015, we made some promises. Today, we have not reneged on them. As I speak with you, no part of the country is being controlled by Boko Haram.
‘‘Before we came on board, 17 local governments were under the control of insurgents. We have technically
retrieved those towns from them.
“The era when mosques, churches, motor parks were being bombed was over.
‘‘We have also stopped importation of rice by 90 per cent and we can now grow what we consume by stopping rice importation.
‘‘Those who were engaging in acts of smuggling were being dealt with. We have now reached food security.
“Apart from all these, we are also fighting corruption. We introduced Treasury Single Account (TSA) to curb wastages, among others.
“I am now seeking your support so that we can continue to enjoy sustainable peace in our land.
‘‘We hope to do more and that is why we are seeking the mandate of Nigerians, so that we can consolidate the
gains of democracy for our people,” Buhari said.
The Obas, in a position presented by Oba Joseph Adewole, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti and the Secretary of the traditional rulers, appealed to Buhari to appoint a minister to replace Fayemi in his cabinet to represent the state.
“We want you to remember us more; the federal roads in Ekiti are in a deplorable state and we want you to fix them and make them motorable.
‘‘You must also work hard to end ASUU strike, so that our children can go back to school.
“We also congratulate you on the miraculous escape of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in an helicopter crash in Kabba on Saturday. His escape showed that God had prepared him for a special purpose.
“Your success is our success; we assure you of our support in the arduous task to take Nigeria to the next level,” he said.
Fayemi promised that Buhari would get over 90 percent of the votes that would be cast in the state on February 16.
“The government told the traditional rulers that the Federal Government under Buhari was planning to dualise Ado-Akure Road, complete the federal housing units, the federal secretariat and the Lagos- Kano rail line.
‘‘As a result of this, we have no option than to return President Buhari, because Ekiti people are progressives,” he stated
The monarchs were led to the meeting by the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju.