President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, said that he could not speak about the bribery allegations against Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Buhari, at a town hall appearance on Wednesday night, said Ganduje’s matter has become a subject of judicial and legislative proceedings, and speaking about it on air could be subjudice.
The president also said he did not know whether the videos were manipulated.
The town-hall was moderated by Kadaria Ahmed, and broadcast live on NTA.
Ganduje was captured receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in a series of videos published last year.
Daily Nigerian, which obtained the videos, said Ganduje was recorded by public works contractors, who had frequently complained about the governor’s penchant for bribe-taking.
Ganduje strongly denied all allegations of fraud, suggesting that the videos were ‘cloned’, a denial mocked across the country.
President Buhari admitted he had seen the videos, but quipped, “Does Ganduje have to take the money himself, smiling?”
He said, “The system has given me some relief, it is in the court and the Assembly.
Buhari, however, said he hoped to get a better understanding of the matter and possibly a conclusive response when he visits Kano to campaign in the coming days.
Responding to another question on his fitness, Buhari said he has the physical rigour to lead Nigeria for another four years.
The president said his recent appearances at campaign stomps are enough testament to his agility.
Buhari said he has been to Kogi and other states to campaign, during which he took questions from voters and also enumerated everything his government has done since assuming office and vision for a better Nigeria.
He however debunked the claim that his corruption fight was one-sided, adding that the allegations were not backed with facts.
According to him, there is nobody who has been accused of corruption with evidence and we have looked the other way.
The president said he was being careful as people could not be easily arrested in a democratic government and taken to court without strong evidence.
He called on Nigerians to support the government and expose individuals, groups and companies involved in corrupt practices.
According to Mr Buhari, such people would be handed over to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and we trust the system to follow up the matter.
Buhari said the All Progressives Congress (APC) nominated him as its presidential candidate because he had delivered on the campaign promises of the party.
“We want Nigerians to remember where we were in 2015, where we are now and where we are going,” he said.
He however urged the media to carry out intense investigation into Local and State Governments’ expenditure on education and expose bad governance across the country.
