Politics

Nigerians should be ready for more shocking corruption reports -Lai Mohammed

Published

10 years ago

January 27, 2016

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said Nigerians should be prepared for more shocking revelations on corruption, which is yet to be released.
Mohammed raised the alarm that treasury looters had resorted to fighting back, using various means.
Speaking to chiefs of newspapers on Tuesday,he said

”When I met with the news and political editors in Lagos on Sunday, I said, among other things, that the government is aware that in fighting corruption, corruption will also fight back.

“I also said that those who stole us dry are powerful. They have newspapers, radio and television stations as well as online platforms, and an army of supporters to continuously deride the government’s war against corruption.”Well, I can tell you today that corruption is already fighting back, and it is fighting hard and dirty.

When we make subsequent revelations, you will be more shocked than you are now.”

Sponsored articles have started appearing in the newspapers and in the social media while ‘Talking Heads’ have started making the rounds in the electronic media, all deriding the fight against corruption as well as this Administration. Not stopping there, they have been creating distractions by sponsoring articles in both local and international media to deride the Administration’s policies generally, tag the President a budding dictator and even write off his 2016 budget. We know that the sole purpose of these attacks is to distract attention from the war on corruption.

“It is saddening that some otherwise credible voices have unwittingly allowed themselves to be railroaded into the bandwagon of pro-corruption orchestra. They engage in sophistry to try to rally Nigerians against the anti-corruption battle.
“Also, one of those who benefited from the Dasukigate even had the temerity to deride the anti-corruption war as ‘selective’, when in saner climes he should have been so ashamed of himself that he would have apologised to the nation and hunkered down…for good. These sponsored attacks are not about to stop. In fact, they will become more intense and more coordinated in the days ahead. But the good news is that we are winning the war. Nigerians are now talking more about corruption. Nigerians are now counting the cost of corruption to their lives.

“We call on Nigerians not to be taken in by the antics of the sponsored denunciation of the anti-graft war. The treasury looters, who have so much resources in their kitty, and their cohorts will throw everything but the kitchen sink at this Administration, But we have no doubt that Nigerians are discerning enough to know the truth which, in the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, is that unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.
“This Administration will neither be distracted nor intimidated by anyone into abandoning or weakening the fight against corruption, which is a war of survival for our nation. No amount of media or other attacks will stop the fight. The pseudo-analysts and hack writers will labour in vain in heir quest to stop the train of this anti-corruption fight.”

The minister said the information on corruption was meant to sensitise the nation on the evil of corruption.

“Let me restate, for emphasis, that when we give instances of mind-boggling acts of corruption, our intention is not to vilify anyone but to sensitise Nigerians as to how harmful corruption is to the country and the people. The truth is that what we have revealed so far is nothing but the tip of the iceberg. Nigerians should stay tuned for more shocking revelations in the days ahead.”
For those doubting the allegations, the minister said they should investigate the information he provided to know if it was true or not.

He added:

“Do you know that What has so far been revealed as per taking in the Dasukigate is about N54.8billion Whereas, in the entire 2015 all the zonal intervention act cost N52 billion. This is the cost of corruption for you.

When the money meant to construct roads is looted, the end result is that the roads are not built and the people suffer and even die in avoidable road accidents. When the money meant to provide electricity is looted, we all are perpetually sentenced to darkness. When the money meant for healthcare is pocketed by a few, we are unable to reduce maternal and infant mortality. These are the costs of corruption. Let us not just talk about corruption in the abstract, let us be counting its cost to our lives in order to drive home the point that corruption must be tackled decisively for Nigerians to feel the impact of governance.”

The government has been criticized for disobeying court orders or trampling on the rights of accused people. Mohammed disagreed.

He said: “What are we even talking about? Is the human right of the 55 persons more important than human rights of 170 Nigerians? But again, let me make it clear that we do not disobey court orders”.

When prodded to provide information on the 55 persons, he said the easiest way is to go to the court or the EFCC to find out who they are as they all have one pending case or the other in the court bordering on corruption.

News

‘Give Them Their Money Directly’ — Tinubu Warns Governors Over LG Allocations

Published

5 days ago

December 20, 2025

lagoslately

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning to state governors over the handling of Local Government (LG) allocations, insisting that funds meant for LGs must be paid directly to them in line with the Supreme Court judgment.
Speaking on Friday at the 15th APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Tinubu stressed that the apex court has once again made its position clear, leaving no room for ambiguity. According to him, compliance is no longer optional, as the judgment is binding on all tiers of government.
“The Supreme Court has capped it for you again, saying, ‘give them their money directly’. If you wait for my Executive Order, because I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it,” the President said, adding that he has chosen to be patient and respectful with governors.
However, Tinubu warned that continued delay or refusal to implement the ruling would attract consequences, noting that enforcement could begin through FAAC disbursements if necessary.
Emphasizing the rule of law, the President said the ultimate authority remains the Supreme Court and its judgment must be obeyed without excuses.
“We have to comply. We have to respect the judgment,” he concluded.

Politics

‘I’ve Bragged To U.S., EU Partners That Nigeria Will Implement State Police To Tackle Insecurity’ — Tinubu

Published

5 days ago

December 19, 2025

lagoslately

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to implementing state police as a key strategy to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, revealing that he has already communicated this resolve to international partners in the United States and the European Union.

According to the President, insecurity remains one of the biggest challenges confronting Nigeria, and addressing it requires bold structural reforms beyond conventional federal policing. Tinubu stated that the current centralized policing system is overstretched and inadequate for a country as large and diverse as Nigeria, making decentralised policing an urgent necessity.

He explained that state police would allow for better intelligence gathering, quicker response times, and security solutions tailored to local realities. By empowering states to take greater responsibility for security within their territories, the federal government believes crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence can be tackled more effectively.

Tinubu also noted that discussions around state police are ongoing, involving consultations with state governments, the National Assembly, and other key stakeholders. He emphasized that proper legal frameworks, accountability mechanisms, and safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse of power.

The President’s statement signals a renewed push for constitutional reforms that have long been debated in Nigeria. Many security experts and political leaders have argued that state police could strengthen internal security, while critics have raised concerns about potential misuse by state actors.

By openly assuring international partners of Nigeria’s intention to implement state police, Tinubu appears determined to move the conversation from debate to action, positioning the reform as a cornerstone of his administration’s security agenda.

Politics

Douye Diri Orders Autopsy To Reveal Cause Of Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death

Published

2 weeks ago

December 14, 2025

lagoslately

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has ordered a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, bringing clarity to an incident that has left the government and residents in deep shock.

The directive, announced shortly after the tragic development, underscores the governor’s commitment to transparency and due process. By mandating a medical examination, the state government aims to dispel speculation, address public concerns, and establish the facts surrounding the deputy governor’s sudden passing.

As condolences continue to pour in from across the country, Governor Diri urged Bayelsans to remain calm and respectful while investigations are ongoing. He assured the public that the findings of the autopsy would be communicated appropriately, as the state mourns the loss of a key leader and reflects on the legacy of service left behind.