The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has responded to critics who feel his endorsement of Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje was disturbing.
This is in relation to the now viral video in which the governor was seen stuffing his pockets with dollars gotten as a bribe.
The President, who was in Kano to campaign for reelection, seemed rather chummy with Ganduje, a fact that many Nigerians took offence to.
In a statement signed by his aide, Garba Shehu, Buhari said that the Governor is immune to criminal proceedings while still in office and is to be deemed innocent until proven guilty.
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Shehu also claimed that a number of high profile Nigerians are facing prosecution for corruption even though they have been touted as being close associates with the President.
He said the president is not one to protect anyone that was under suspicion of corruption.
“Despite some of the suspects being close to the President, he had not shielded them from investigation, administrative suspensions and prosecution” the statement said.
On the issue of Ganduje, the President added: “as a sitting governor, (he) enjoys immunity from prosecution in his own right.
“Furthermore, under Nigerian laws, a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“In the circumstances, the matter is in court and the President has no power to dictate to the court or the Kano State House of Assembly, which is already investigating the matter, about what to do with the allegations against Ganduje.”