I came into government with a clear conscience, my comment to World Bank boss was twisted – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that his discussion with the World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, was twisted. In a statement through his spokesman, Femi Adesina, he said he had a pan-Nigerian mandate and would discharge his duties and responsibilities in like manner.

Buhari said ignorant and mischievous people who twist everything for their vile purposes were making it seem that his discussion with Kim was a calculated attempt to give the North an unfair advantage over other parts of Nigeria. He assured that any part of the country requiring special attention would receive it irrespective of primordial affinities which, according to him, narrow minded people have not been able to live above.

Also, the president yesterday met behind closed doors with leaders from the South-East of Nigeria, at the presidential villa in Abuja where he said the region had a strong representation in his cabinet. Reacting to allegations of marginalisation of the Southeast by his administration, the president in a statement, said: “I gave South-East four substantive ministers in the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment, Science and Technology and Labour. Seven states in the North got Ministers of State and of the two ministries headed by your sons, I cannot take any decision on foreign policy and investments without their input. I came into government with a clear conscience and I will also leave with a clear conscience,” he said.

Buhari said the South-East region would benefit more from roads and coastal rail projects, which are of critical importance to the economy. The president declared that Second Niger Bridge, the East-West Road and the Coastal rail project were receiving utmost attention of his administration.

Buhari thanked the leaders for the visit and assured them that their demands would be met.