Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari (left) handing over APC flag to Ize-Iyamu who has a case with the EFCC
Nigeria remains a funny country that have become a laughing stock among the comity of nations…and like a joke that the country had become, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was seen endorsing Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu the All Progressive Congress (APC) party flag bearer in the forthcoming Edo State elections.
The president whose strongest campaign mantra was hinged on the fight against corruption received the gubernatorial aspirant where he handed him over the APC flag, which is a serious endorsement for a candidate who is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for money laundering to the tune of N700million.
Aside from that, there exists a viral video where the former APC National Chairman and former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole chronicles the character of the candidate, which makes it difficult for political followers to understand why President Buhari would because of the desperation to win Edo State for the APC technically endorse corruption in high places.
Following the flag giving ceremony at the Presidential Villa yesterday where President Buhari was seen giving Mr Ize-Iyamu the APC gubernatorial flag in the sanctuary of lock door, Nigerians have continued to react to the purported endorsement of Ize-Iyamu by Buhari as endorsing corruption. Nigerians feel that it is an aberration for a government that claim to be fighting corruption should not be seen endorsing a candidate with questions to answer from the EFCC.
But the president in a statement made available to newsmen said, he is still very committed to the anti-corruption war and seeing Mr Ize-Iyamu doesn’t derail his fight against corruption. He said it was important to receive Ize-Iyamu who is the party’s candidate as it is customary to do so.
“We are compelled to do this ritual. Although, I wasn’t comfortable it was a mere formality. I also didn’t want to be seen in the flag-off because of this. My administration will not look the other way regarding the weighty allegations of corruption against Ize-Iyamu. We will pursue it to a logical conclusion.”
