February 01, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is focused on ensuring free, fair and credible elections and not to favour or cause any candidate, irrespective of party affiliation, to be at a disadvantage.
The remarks followed the allegations by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, that some “elements” in the Presidential Villa are working against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
THEWILL earlier reported that the Governor had on Wednesday, alleged that some few persons he described as 5th Columnists have hijacked the Presidency, to frustrate the chances of the APC in the February 25 presidential poll.
Speaking on Wednesday, when he featured on Channels Television breakfast programme, ‘Sunrise Daily’, the Governor, who condemned some policies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration, said individual elements in the Presidency are hiding behind President Buhari’s desire to do what he thinks is right.
“I believe there are elements in the Villa that want us to lose the election because they didn’t get their way; they had their candidate. Their candidate did not win the primaries. They are trying to get us to lose the election, and they are hiding behind the president’s desire to do what he thinks is right,” said El-Rufai, adding that the redesign of the naira notes was not an agenda of the APC but of few people in the Presidency.
But the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, while addressing State House Correspondents at a briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), restated the President’s position that his administration will only focus on ensuring free, fair and credible elections and not favour or cause anyone to be at a disadvantage.
He contended that if there is anyone working against any candidate, it is officially not known.
Mohammed argued that the Buhari-led government has been fair to all candidates regardless of party affiliations.
“On a more serious note, one thing I can assure you is that, no matter who, this administration is focused and determined to ensure a free and fair election. And I think this administration, and for that matter now, the most important person in this regard is Mr. President.
“I think he has shown by words and deeds that he is committed to a free, fair and credible election. And fair, free and credible elections mean not favouring or disfavouring anybody.
“Everywhere he goes, he makes that very clear, even as recently as Friday, when he was in Daura. He said the same thing. So, if there’s anybody who’s working against any candidate, we don’t know officially,” said Mohammed.
On the recent corruption index rating of Nigeria by Transparency International, Mohammed said the government has very impressive records based on achievements by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC), among others.
The Minister noted that the administration’s fight against corruption is not to impress Transparency International but to engender growth in the country, politically and economically, adding that the Government is not bothered about the ratings.
Citing instances where returned assets and funds have been channelled to developing infrastructure and welfare projects, Mohammed said the government’s anti-corruption drive has been successful.
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