No country has ever defeated corruption – Presidency

The presidency says no country in the world can and has ever defeated corruption, including the ones that have a history of prosecuting or executing corrupt government officials.

Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina stated this in response to Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah’s criticism of the administration.

In his Easter message, Kukah raised questions on Buhari’s promise to “defeat corruption,” amongst other failed campaign rhetorics.

However, Adesina in an interview with Channels TV on Monday, shut down the cleric’s comment by saying it is impossible to “defeat” corruption.

According to the presidential spokesman, Kukah’s choice of word was disappointing.

He said; “Defeating corruption, which country ever defeats corruption? Which country ever defeats corruption? Even China that executes for corruption. The fact that they keep executing shows that no country ever defeats corruption. You can curb it. But he used the word defeating corruption, I think Father Kukah is rather disappointing in those choice of words”.

In 2015, Buhari rode to power on three major promises, which are; to end corruption, tackle insecurity and seek the growth of Nigeria’s economy.

However, in a 2021 report by Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, during the APC-led government, Nigeria scored 24 out of 100 points, ranking 154 out of 180 countries.