Corruption fighting back vigorously, Buhari tells US

President Muhammadu Buhari,on Thursday, said the anti-corruption war being fought by his government “is tough and gruelling,” with the menace vigorously fighting back.

But he assured that the Director battle would be won.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Wednesday, on the margins of conference on climate change, COP22, in Marrakech, Morocco.

Buhari said corrupt people had accumulated a formidable arsenal of illicit wealth, which they were now deploying against the government on diverse fronts.

“But it is a war we are determined to win, and which we will win.

“People of goodwill are behind us, countries like America and many others are with us, and we will surely win,” the President said.

Buhari also updated Kerry on the war against insurgency in the north-east of Nigeria and efforts being made to tackle its attendant humanitarian problems.

He said that a presidential committee had been launched to address the issue.

On the unrest in the Niger Delta area, which manifests in the sabotage of critical oil and power installations, Buhari said the engagement process was proceeding apace, adding that it was rather difficult bringing the main protagonists of the insurgency under one umbrella.

The President said Nigeria was happy with American support on different fronts, assuring that the economic challenges facing the country were being frontally tackled.

In his remarks, Kerry expressed delight at the successes of the Buhari administration, pledging continued United States’ support in the bid to overcome security, humanitarian, political and economic challenges.

As the Barrack Obama administration exits next January, Kerry said he would love to continue engaging with Nigeria, even in a private capacity.

He described President Buhari as a strong international partner in the battle against violent extremism.