The former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who was honoured with a Centenary Award by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan a week ago, has given reasons why he accepted the award.
In an online interview with Sahara Reporters monitored by Punch Newspapers on Saturday, March 8, 2014 Buhari said he received the award because of it’s significance.
He described the issuance of the centenary awards as “the beauty of the system” inside Nigeria. He said honouring leaders with awards should “not be a difficult thing,” if past leaders declare their assets, before and afterwards.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) leader had no comment as to whether the late Gen. Sani Abacha deserved to have been bestowed with the honour of a Centenary Award.
Buhari, in his statement, pointed out that the Federal Government led by President Jonathan is not doing enough to combat corruption. He said if there is sincerity, fighting corruption is not a difficult thing.
According to Punch, he said, “If Nigeria is serious about finding which of its leaders at which level is corrupt or not, it’s not a difficult thing.
“This PDP government with President Jonathan has a problem of fishing out corrupt officials.”
The former presidential candidate declined to state whether he would contest the presidency or not in 2015. He, however, said his supporters within the APC are insisting that he should participate in the race.
On his inclusion in the target list of the Boko Haram, he said the government had provided him with security where he lived and armed escorts when he moved about. “I honestly do not feel upset by the Boko Haram,” he added.
