Governors in the New PDP faction yesterday said corruption is thriving with impunity" in President Goodluck Jonathan's administration and demanded an urgent probe of allegations against key officials and agencies.

The seven governors said in a communiqué after a meeting in Sokoto Saturday night that the president has been shielding aides indicted in corrupt deals, as well as refusing to act on reports of squandering" of public funds.

The G7 governors' statement came in the wake of reports that they were being investigated by anti-corruption agencies.
Already the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is holding two sons of Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido-one of the G7 governors-over allegations of money laundering of about N10 billion.

Reports say the other six governors are also facing probe of finances of their states, allegedly because of their dispute with the mainstream Peoples Democratic Party backed by President Jonathan.

They are Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).

The seven governors held a long meeting in Sokoto on Saturday, as part of what a spokesman said was their continued efforts to promote good governance and transparency in the Nigerian polity."

During the meeting they reviewed the state of the nation particularly on how corruption is striving (sic) with impunity" in the Federal Government, said a statement on behalf of the governors issued by Sani Umar, a spokesman for Wamakko.

The governors noted during their meeting how: 1- the fed govt blatantly refused to be responsive to various issues that were raised and expressed by the legislatures, Civil Society Organisations and the Nigerian public. These exposures of corruption involving federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies or Presidential appointees; include but are (not) limited to:-

A- the failure of the NNPC to render proper accounts of its transactions and remittances as statutory required.

B- the continued shielding of those involved in the notorious Malabu oil block deal which in the last two months has been the main issue of national discuss (sic) and concern in the media.

C- the squandering of the SURE-P funds and substantial diversion of the funds, as well as the programme been dedicated for the prosecution of personal political agenda.

"2- arising from the foregoing the governors strongly hold the view that in order to show good cause in fighting corruption Mr. President as a matter of urgency should instruct security agencies to commence investigating such allegations with a view to prosecuting the culprits.

3- this the meeting resolved is the only way that Mr. President will demonstrate his genuine commitment to fighting the menace of corruption as part of his agenda in transforming Nigeria," the statement said.

But in a reaction, the Presidency last night blasted the G7 governors, saying their allegations were baseless, and challenged them to tackle corruption in their states.
Jonathan's political adviser Barrister Ahmed Ali Gulak said in an interview with Daily Trust:

The claim by the so-called G7 governors that Mr President is not committed to the fight against corruption or that he is shielding some people alleged to be corrupt, is baseless and unfounded. So, rather than make false accusations against Mr President, the so-called G7 governors should fight corruption in their respective states.

Are they telling Nigerians that corruption is not thriving in their states? How can these governors explain the situation where N10 billion, N15 billion were found in their sons and daughters' bank accounts? What was the worth of these children before their fathers became governors? What was the worth of their fathers too before they became governors? Let the G7 governors explain this to Nigerians."