President Buhari has come forward to defend Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, over rumours of corruption trailing his displacement from the position of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Reports by ThisDay state that the President appealed to Nigerians to “ignore orchestrated attempts to sully the integrity of ministers and other senior government officials,” whose reputation is being tainted without proof or evidence.

Since Kachikwu’s sudden displacement two weeks ago, several reasons have been rumoured as the basis for the president’s action, a lot of which point to issues of corruption. It is alleged that the minister ‎was removed as the GMD of the NNPC because he is being investigated over crude oil swaps and gas lifting during his tenure.

In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the president asked the public for “decent and civilised comments” whenever they react to news reports, especially if it has to do with the integrity of those in service to the country.

“Terrible and unfounded comments about other people’s integrity are not good,” said President Buhari. “We are not going to spare anybody who soils his hands, but people should please wait till such individuals are indicted.”

He also restated his administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and the fight against corruption.