Buhari has restored hope, confidence within 100 days – Ndume

The Senate Leader of the 8th National Assembly, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, in this interview, talked about President Muhammadu Buhari’s 100 days in office, anti-corruption fight, insecurity, among others.

We bring excerpts

Now President Buhari spent first 100 days in office, what would say are his achievements?
The 100 days of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC led federal government had given Nigerians, particularly, the large majority of Nigerian poor masses hope and confidence that the nation will continue to survive and stabilize socio economically.

President Buhari has broughtj sudden change to Nigeria. President Buharis administration has brought change in the country in almost all the facets of the nation’s economy through his anti- corruption crusade, which had tremendously and positively reflected in the socio economic and political activities of the country.

To me as I speak with you, Nigerians are now witnessing an improved security situation that is being pursued and addressed by the President with the use of credible and competent Service Chiefs, these are military chiefs that have been tested and of proven integrity.

What is your assessment of the Presidents anti- corruption crusade which has generated lot of controversies?
The fight against corruption in the country,, if you look at it, you the media people have over logged the issue. Even the national assembly principal leaders EFCC investigations have been over logged by the media. Although, it is the EFCC that in the first place went to the media or wanted the media to know and you people over logged it.

It should not have been so. Investigation is not a conviction. When such agencies are making inquiries they are not supposed to go to the extent of portraying people especially respected citizens of the country as criminals until they are proved to be so.

I am even a victim of the DSS arrest and the media over logged it while in most cases it is allegation without proof and until one is guilty of an offence he or she is convicted just as that of the former NSA not the manner EFCC approached the Senate President Saraki and Deuty Senate President Ekweremadu cases. All these are investigations not conviction. So the anti- graft crusade should be handled according to the law as provided by the constitution. If such is done, there is nothing wrong with the due process.

But the issue of excesses or using excessive owners by the agencies needed to be checked and reviewed.
Corruption in this country in the past before the coming of Buhari was high and rampant everywhere. Corruption had brought the country to a total collapse, griped the economy and created serious unnecessary hardships and sufferings to the large majority of Nigerians in both the urban and rural areas which cannot be over emphasized.

What is being experienced today without any sentiment today in the country, although some critics especially oppositions are so critical about the s tyle of Buharis leadership but the socio economic situation today in Nigeria particularly the security aspect has been positive and the President kept his words.

Thank God what we are witnessing today in terms of war against the insurgency and corruption in the past 100 days of President Buhari is remarkable and a welcome development.

What is the position of the national assembly members on the anti graft mission of the President called change?
We at the National Assembly are in full support of his actions and we will continue to support him change the country or system of leadership or governance. Nigeria was almost a failure. Buhari’s leadership as a new government and government of change, it is not bad to me. It is not a bad journey. The journey so far is good.

First and foremost, the change Nigerians witness from Buhari brought hope to the people. Nigeria was virtually at a loss. Nigeria was virtually at a failure. Nigerians virtually lost hope and confidence in government.

First Buhari brought the lost hope and confidence. He started first with security. Ordered the military to relocate to Maiduguri, Borno State, changed the service Chiefs, charged the military to end the insurgency and they are working.

How can you assess the 100 days of Buahri as a Nigerian not a legislator?
The 100 days of President Buhari were full of activities, full of due process, ensured transparency and accountability in the leadership of the country. He appointed credible government functionaries and Nigerians are happy with that.

On anti corruption, Nigerians are happy and there is tremendous progress. Although, some Nigerians are getting it too low but the security situation and peace that we enjoy today are most essential things for the government to do and Buhari has done that.

So far so good I can say. This is what Buhari is doing and we are impressed with it.

What is your view on assets declaration of the President and Vice President?
On the issue of assets declaration, the President and Vice President have all declared their assets which is well commended and what exemplary leaders supposed to do first to show to others the need for probity and accountability in the system of governance.

As for me, I will describe the assets declaration of President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo as modest and commendable.

I am even surprise that President Buhari has N30 million only and the Vice President has N94 million and 900,000 US dollars and just three cars. Even me as a senator have more than three cars compare to them.

In other countries of the world, lawyers have more assets than our Vice President and same thing in Nigeria.

What about the EFCC investigation that created a rift between the National Assembly and EFCC?
The national assembly is fully aware, EFCC has the right to investigate any Nigerian and what EFCC was doing was just investigating citizens of Nigeria and investigation is not conviction.

Although, some investigations by the EFCC and even DSS are towards blackmailing or smearing the image of public officials instead of doing it confidentially.

Going to the media by the EFCC before doing their job is wrong. They have to make their findings or investigation quietly before convicting anybody wanting.

Don’t you think the APC leaders and National Assembly crisis will affect Buharis government?
Conflicts or soar relationships between APC leaders or national assembly members does not mean they are in loggerheads with one another or the assembly is on fire or the APC leaders are in a battle field with the national assembly members over the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives.

In politics or political party, there is bound to be crisis and reconciliation among members or leaders. And as Senate Leader I have the right to intervene and reconcile relationships between the APC leaders and even the national assembly members.

Whether there is leadership tussles or not, we don’t have crisis at the national assembly or into crisis with the APC leaders. It is the media that is over logging the issues between the APC leaders and National Assembly members.

Why is Buhari’s government running a deficit budget at this trying moment?
National Assembly is working hard on how to ensure that there is a transparent and prudent budget. Whether the 2015 budget is a deficit budget or not, Buhari government is more concerned with realistic budget implementation and not solely relying on crude oil as in the past.

Buhari is trying to ensure that Nigeria does not solely depend on crude oil as its foreign reserve and project its budget on proceeds of crude oil but engage in diversification of agriculture. That is why the government is blocking all linkages of our revenue, centralizing all revenue accounts.