President Muhammadu Buhari returned from a 10-day working vacation in London on Saturday with a vow to jail more looters of the nation’s treasury.
Buhari made the promise in an interview he granted journalists.
When asked what Nigerians should expect from him on resumption, the President said, “Most Nigerians are expecting that we are going to jail more of the thieves that brought economic problem to the country. I think that is being expected of me and I will do it.”
Buhari who also fielded questions on the recent defection of politicians, especially that of Godswill Akpabio from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said it was part of the beauty of democracy.
He said under democracy, individuals have the choice of identifying with political parties of their choice.
Buhari, however, advised politicians to provide the necessary dividends of democracy to the people.
The President also urged politicians to sensitise their constituents to get their Permanent Voter Cards.
This, he said, would enable them to freely vote for the candidates of their choice during the elections.
“Defection should be appreciated as the beauty of democracy. People can choose the party they want to belong to.
“Let them make sure that they empower their constituents by educating them on voters’ registration and making sure that they get their Permanent Voter Cards and they use their rights as Nigerians to vote whoever they like across ethnicity and religion.
“This is a beauty of democracy in Nigeria, this is what I am hoping to see,”
Meanwhile, Buhari on Saturday sent a letter to the Senate and the House of Representatives, informing lawmakers of his resumption for duties as President upon the completion of his 10-day working leave.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists.
The President’s letter titled “Resumption of Office” read, “In compliance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I write to intimate the Senate (House of Representatives) that I have resumed my functions as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with effect from today, Saturday, August 18, 2018, after my vacation.
“Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, (Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives) the assurances of my highest consideration.”
