The President of Nigeria has said the kind of corruption he met after taking over from the former administration is shocking.
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari said his administration inherited an unbelievable level of corruption after taking over the affairs of the country from former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Buhari revealed this on Thursday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.
Buhari spoke while receiving the Letter of Credence of the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. William Symington, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“The corruption we met at personal and institutional levels was unbelievable. Corruption was turning into a culture. After we came in, people started realising the truth,” the President said.
The President revealed that his administration will end the 'culture of corruption' which has become prevalent in recent times as he further stated that corrupt persons in the country will face tougher times.
He said that the mishandling of the economy at a time of financial prosperity is now affecting the country.
“It has not been easy for another party to come in and get things done properly, especially with the new economic reality of $37 per barrel of oil, against the $100 for the period, and there was no savings, no infrastructure on ground,” he said.
He further noted that the his administration is determined to fight corruption, and salvage the economy in spite of current challenges.
In his remarks, the U.S ambassador said that the interest in the well-being of Nigeria was of mutual benefit.
“We do it not only for Nigeria, but for ourselves. We did it because it was right for us and right for our people,’’ he said.
Symington said he would work hard to further strengthen the relationship between his country and Nigeria. He assured that the President-elect Donald Trump would also be interested in the wellbeing of Nigeria.
President Buhari also received Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Moha Ouali Tagma, assuring him of Nigeria’s willingness to improve bilateral relations between the countries.
The President also met with Senate President Bukola Saraki behind closed doors.