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Amid rumours of HoS’ resignation, Buhari Media says President setting new moral standards

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The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said the resignation of some very senior public servants is another pointer to a new phase of the anti-corruption war, with a special focus on public service.

This statement by the BMO comes shortly after speculations that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, has resigned.

Oyo-Ita was recently interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N3 billion contract scam.

Speaking on Tuesday in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had set a new template for its public officials.

It further said that Buhari heralded a new era of morality in Nigeria’s social and political space through the ongoing investigations of prominent public officers, including members of his own ruling party.

Speaking on the supposed new template set for officials, BMO said: “There is the new template that the President Buhari administration has set for its public officials; that they must be above board, and that in the execution of their duties they must not be found wanting as mismanagement, malfeasance or misappropriation of state resources will attract severe repercussions.”

“This was not the case in previous administrations that rewarded wrongdoing – both alleged and proven – rather than punish it.”

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The media group claimed that investigations, prosecutions, even arrests, and in some cases, resignations by top public officials in the face of corruption scandals and allegations was evidence that the Buhari administration had made the political space and public office “too hot for any allegations or scandals, whether from the past or present, on issues of corruption or any other malfeasance.”

“Another striking point in the endeavour by this administration to rid the public space of corruption is that it follows due process. The law is not upended, neither is it circumvented. Rule of law is not undermined in any way in the investigation of allegations of corruption. It is a matter of right or wrong, and facts and evidence.”

The group claimed that the Buhari administration was the first since Nigeria’s re-entrance into the democratic space to tackle corruption in-house without fear or favour.

“The cases of the dismissal of the former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary, and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), among others, are testament that wrongdoing in public office under President Buhari would not be tolerated.

“Same goes for the suspension of government officials who are under investigation by the anti-corruption agencies, under the President Buhari administration.”

BMO noted further that previously it was unheard of for public officials under investigation to resign, “but now there is a new Sheriff in town.”

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