Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, has reacted to remarks by David Cameron, British Prime Minister, that Nigeria and Afghanistan are “fantastically corrupt” countries, saying he needs no apology but concrete action from British authorities for the return of Nigeria’s looted funds.
During a conversation that took place in Buckingham Palace at an event to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday, Cameron had described Nigeria and Afghanistan as “fantastically corrupt” countries. The comment came hours before the London Anti-Corruption Summit hosted by Cameron and at which Buhari was billed to speak
Buhari, who was reportedly embarrassed by the comments, told delegates at the summit that what he needed from Cameron was not an apology but “tangible” action to ensure the return of funds looted from Nigeria but stashed in the UK, among other countries.
“What do I need an apology for? I need something tangible,” said Buhari as he gave his keynote speech at the opening of the anti-corruption summit.
Buhari won election in May last year promising to fight widespread corruption in the country. During his inaugural speech, he said “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us.” Many high ranking former government officials are currently facing prosecution by anti graft agencies of government, including Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser, NSA.
Garba Shehu, spokesman of the President, while reacting to the comment, said Cameron must have had the old “snapshot of Nigeria” in mind while making the comment, adding that the world now know that things are changing “with corruption and everything else.”
Transparency International, TI, has also condemned comments credited to Cameron about corruption in Nigeria and Afghanistan.
In a press statement signed by Cobus de Swardt, it’s Managing Director, TI said while it is true that Nigeria and Afghanistan have had issues with high level corruption, leaders of the two countries are working hard to reverse the trend.
Swardt said that the London Anti-Corruption Summit offers all countries in attendance a unique opportunity to “sign up’ to a new, adding that this “affects the UK as much as other countries.”
TI reminded Cameron that countries like UK, which provide safe havens for corrupt assets are a big part of the world’s corruption problem.
Nigeria is listed 136 in a 2015 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. Afghanistan is 167.