President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday had his first Presidential Media Chat. He was interviewed by journalists such as, Kayode Akintemi (Channels TV), Munir Dan Ali (Daily Trust), Ngozi Anyaegbulam (Media World International),  and Ibanga Isine (Premium Times). He clarified issues on Radio Biafra  Director, Nnamdi Kanu, Chibok Girls, fight against corruption and national security.


On Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu:

Buhari said, "This is someone (in reference to Kanu) that has two passports, British and Nigerian, but did not come to Nigeria with those documents. This is someone who brought in sophisticated equipment to start broadcasting and incite people against the government."

He said Kanu is charged with treasonable felony.


The President added that those who were still being held in relation to Dasuki gate would also not be freed despite being granted bail as there was strong national interest in ensuring that they did not jump bail.

The President said those clamouring for the State of Biafra did not really have any strong points as to how they are being marginalized by the Nigerian government.


On the missing Chibok girls:

Buhari said:

"‎We want to be sure that the girls are complete, safe and sound before we attempt any form of negotiation on the girls. We are still keeping our option. If a credible leadership of Boko Haram is ready for negotiation without any condition we are ready to listen to them. We are working with Niger, Chad and Cameroun on the girls. We have no credible intelligence of where they are. "

On the Shiite and soldiers clash, Buhari said:

"‎The President of Iran spoke to me about the situation. But, I told him that as a government we have a system we must follow.

"As the head of the Federal Government, I told him I will have to wait for the official report from the Kaduna State government from their investigations. To be fair to the both sides, we have to wait for the report of the inquiry. I expect the Kaduna State government will bring the report on the inquiry because the crisis happened in its domain. There are all sorts of allegations. So, we just have to wait for the report. I was in touch with the governor of Kaduna state and the president of Iran talked to me about it. We have a system of investigation as a government and as the head of the federal government, I have to wait for official report before I comment. The Police and the SSS are doing their own role of finding out what happened. In any incident where lives and property were lost there is a standard way of doing things and people would be asked to come and give evidence. How can any group create a state within a state? I saw a clip in which some dissidents were virtually hitting the chest of Generals."

On corruption, he said:

"Thirty years ago as Head of State, we collected those we perceived to be corrupt and put them in protective custody, until they prove they were not guilty. At present, those suspected of being corrupt are innocent until they are proven guilty.

"We have documents showing Nigerian crude oil was lifted illegally and proceeds are put into personal accounts instead of Government account. We are in court with suspected corrupt persons and we cannot comment until the court are through.We can only appeal to Nigerians to be patient."

"Our constraint is that the accused persons have to defend themselves in court to defend themselves. So, we cannot release their names to the public until the issues are completed in court. Whatever we recover will be presented in court.

"The documentation in court include bank statements and documents from Customs Service that are to be presented in court. Until then, we ask Nigerians to have patience."

"We have to be patient and await outcome of courts decision. Government will only react through the Ministry of Justice after the courts have finished with matters before them.

"We have documents showing where monies have been lodged."

On National Security, 

Buhari said the federal government might ban the use of hijab because of Boko Haram. "Hijab would have to be banned if suicide bombing continues," noted  Buhari.