President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said battling the menace of corruption requires God’s guidance and prayers while promising to continue his administration’s strict stance towards eliminating the scourge.
Buhari made this declaration at a meeting with members of Jigawa State Council of Traditional Rulers at the government house, Dutse.
The President, who spoke in Hausa language, said his first attempt to fight corruption when he was Head of State was unsuccessful because corruption fought back and he ended in jail for over three years.
However, he explained he learned from past events hence his confidence in the present war on corruption embarked upon by his administration.
“When I was fighting corruption as head of state, they said I was in a hurry to wipe out corruption in the society, and I ended up in jail for over three years.
“Now, that due process is being followed in the fight against corruption they are complaining that I’m too slow.
“Before they said I was in a haste, now they are saying I’m slow – even calling me “Baba Go Slow’’.
“You can see, governing Nigeria needs God’s guidance and prayers.
“Let me assure that I will not relent in the fight against corruption and I want to use this opportunity to thank you for your continuous prayers,’’ he said.
During the course of the meeting, the Chairman of the Jigawa Council of Traditional Rulers and Emir of Hadejia, Adamu Abubakar Maje, expressed satisfaction over the achievements of the Buhari administration in the last three and half years.
He pledged that members of the state traditional council would continue to pray for the government and for peace and stability in the country.
The Emir, however, enjoined the government to create more job opportunities for unemployed youths as a way of addressing social unrest in the society.