The Federal Government has called on the global anti-corruption group, Transparency International, TI, to support its campaign against corruption in the country.
It said rather than support the government, TI and other local civil society groups affiliated to it had been critical of the government instead of giving the necessary support to enable it succeed in the fight against corruption.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the position of the government known when a delegation led by the chairman of the body’s International Board, Delia Rubio, visited him in Abuja on Friday.
In a statement issued on the meeting his media aide, Mr Segun Adeyemi, on Saturday, the minister said it was unfortunate that the organisation based its position on the government on the actions of an aberrant few.
He said rather than face the fact, the organisation accused the government of being bias in its prosecution of people suspected to have looted the nation’s treasury.
The minister cited the example of the list of alleged corrupt persons under former President Goodluck Jonathan administration released by the government.
He said instead of appreciate the fact that the government was fighting corruption, some civil society groups accused the Buhari administration of bias.
He emphasised the commitment of the present administration to the fight against corruption.
His words: “As a policy, this government is the most committed to fighting corruption.
“Nigeria has never had a more transparent, more accountable government than the Buhari administration.
“Even his worst critics won’t say he indulges in or encourages corruption.”
Speaking during the visit, the head of TI delegation said the organisation was never an opposition, but one that was out to help.
Her words: “We are not an opposition anywhere in the world.
“We are just an NGO working in over 100 countries of the world. We are not enemies. We are here to help.”
She said her visit to Nigeria was based on the need to set the tone for the fight against corruption in Africa.
