An anti-corruption group, Centre for Anti -Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), on Monday congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for being named as “Anti-Corruption Champion in Africa” by the African Union, AU.

The AU, at 30th summit in Addis Ababa, selected Buhari based on achievements of his administration in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

The selection is the first of its kind in AU and Buhari is the first person to hold it.

CACOL’s Chairman, Debo Adeniran, described Buhari’s choice as deserving.

He said the recognition is a proof that the efforts of the president at fighting corruption are novel, genuine and effective.

Debo said the appointment had also vitiated the claim by critics that the president was grandstanding with the fight and vindicated CACOL and others who had always supported the fight.

“The appointment of President Buhari as the first anti-corruption champion in Africa is a welcome development.

“It is a recognition of the fact that the anti-corruption fight of the president is genuine and that he is not grandstanding.

“You see, some people think we are supporting the president ‘s anti -graft fight blindly. They say the president is not fighting corruption.

“But with this recognition outside of the shores of the country, we have been vindicated.

“President Buhari is a disciplined man who will not condone graft and we think the man should be celebrated for fighting the fight voraciously despite his age”he said

He expressed the belief that the honour would add impetus to the fight against corruption and rid the country of graft.

Adeniran said the fight against graft was not for Buhari alone, urging all Nigerians to support him to succeed.