The Federal Government on Wednesday declared that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is all out against corruption, vowing that there will be “no safe haven for corruption in Nigeria.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance while also refuting allegations that the President is sending anti-corruption agencies after his political opponents.
The minister’s remarks come in the wake of recent accusations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was weaponising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to undermine the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, Atiku alleged that anti-corruption agencies were being used to harass, intimidate, and dismantle opposition elements, warning that such actions pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
However, while speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the ICPC Roundtable Engagement on Agenda Setting for Strategic Integration of State Commissioners of Information in the Fight Against Corruption, held in Abuja, Idris stressed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to allowing anti-graft agencies to operate independently, without political interference.
“Fighting corruption is indeed one of the eight-point priorities of the Tinubu administration, and that is why the President is strengthening the institutional framework to fight corruption, especially through the ICPC and the EFCC.
“By its policy of non-interference, the Tinubu administration has made it clear that anti-corruption agencies are not instruments of political witch-hunt.
“They operate with independence and professionalism in line with the rule of law,” Idris stated.
The minister further emphasised the President’s resolve to eliminate corruption from public institutions, insisting that there will be “no safe haven for corruption in Nigeria.”
He said the FG was “advancing far-reaching judicial reforms aimed at curbing unnecessary delays in corruption trials, ensuring that justice is neither denied nor endlessly deferred.”
According to him, these reforms are designed to ensure that justice is delivered promptly and fairly.
He also highlighted the theme of the roundtable — ‘Partnership for Strengthening Transparency and Accountability at State and Local Government Levels Through Strategic Communications’ — as evidence of the critical role that state information commissioners play in spreading government messaging across all levels of society.
“Transparency and accountability constitute strong pillars of democracy and are, unarguably, at the core of President Tinubu’s grundnorm of administration,” Idris said.
The minister called on state governments and their officials to rise above partisanship and support the national development agenda.
“I wish to implore you all, honourable commissioners, that irrespective of the political party you belong to, it is important you identify with the massive opportunities inherent in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, who is relentless in reshaping our economy to address years of neglect, and its limitations, and in turn achieve inclusion, diversification, growth and steady development,” he added.
Idris also commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, led by Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), for adopting an innovative communication strategy that actively involves stakeholders at the state and local levels in disseminating government policies to the grassroots.
