Some of Buhari’s Appointees Betrayed His Trust, Corruption Worsened,.Laments Bagos

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, has alleged that some appointees under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari betrayed the trust placed in them, worsening the state of corruption in the country. Bagos, who represents Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, stated this during a press briefing on Monday while reacting to recent comments by the former president, who admitted that some of his officials abused their offices. According to Bagos, the former president's acknowledgment confirms long-standing concerns raised by lawmakers and citizens during his administration. He said many of Buhari’s appointees operated with impunity, mismanaged public resources, and were shielded from accountability. “It is not surprising to many of us who were in the National Assembly during Buhari’s tenure,” Bagos said. “We raised concerns repeatedly about how certain agencies were being run and how public resources were being mismanaged, but our warnings were often ignored.” He pointed to alleged financial irregularities in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and other government institutions as examples of the worsening corruption under Buhari's watch. “We saw investigations being stalled, panels being set up without clear outcomes, and billions of naira being siphoned without consequence. These were not isolated incidents — they represented a larger pattern of institutional decay that occurred under Buhari’s presidency,” he added. Bagos called for a full audit of government spending and projects executed during the Buhari era, especially within federal agencies that were frequently accused of financial misconduct. He also urged the current administration to prosecute all individuals found guilty of corruption, irrespective of their political connections or former positions. “Moving forward, it is not enough to acknowledge betrayal or corruption. There must be accountability. If the former president is serious about setting the record straight, he should support open investigations into the activities of his appointees and allow justice to take its course,” Bagos stated. His comments come after former President Buhari had while speaking after Eid prayers in Daura, before his demise, admitted that some officials he appointed during his tenure had abused their positions. Buhari said that some stolen assets had been recovered and sold, with the proceeds deposited into the Treasury Single Account to prevent further misuse. Bagos emphasized that while Buhari’s statement was a step in the right direction, it did not absolve him of responsibility for enabling the corruption that occurred under his leadership. “Nigerians must learn to hold leaders accountable—both in office and out of it. That is the only way we can ensure a better future,” he said.