Two days after President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country following his extended medical vacation in the United Kingdom, he addressed the nation in a broadcase this morning and some of the things he touched one were national security, unity which he said is settled and not negotiable and a host of others. Transcript of his address below.
“My dear citizens,
I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters.
In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home. Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far.
In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.
Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.
Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.
I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.
This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty and attraction of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence.
The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.
The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart.
Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.
Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.
Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against;
• elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets
• kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes,
• in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all.
Finally, dear Nigerians, our collective interest now is to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of;
• economic security,
• political evolution and integration
• as well as lasting peace among all Nigerians.
I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained.
I am so glad to be home.
Thank you and may God bless our dear Nation.”
The Room President Buhari Really Needs Now |By : Gimba Kakanda
At first, like every sane Nigerian, I took President Muhammadu Buhari’s response to his wife’s criticism of his government as a joke. And even agreed with Mallam Garba Shehu’s description of it as such on Twitter, that “(President Buhari) was obviously throwing a banter.” But the president’s unnecessary restatement of that misogynistic caricaturing of his wife in a subsequent interview, clarifying that indeed “she belongs in my kitchen, my living room and the other”, was devastating. And this was done as guest of Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, a woman who manages a country more prosperous than his and ranks higher than him in the global political equation. Yet that wasn’t a clue to keep his patriarchy to himself.
The tragic thing is, what Mrs. Buhari said wasn’t even damaging. It was an explicit praise of the president, which was why I endeavoured to understand her interviews on BBC in Hausa and then in English as a PR stunt developed to exonerate the husband. For what could be a more convenient inference from her claim that the government has been hijacked by strangers and opportunists? I even likened her guts to that of her fictional American counterpart, Mrs. Claire Underwood, reputed for audacious ambition and manipulation of events to secure her husband’s political capital. “House of Cards” fans will get this analogy.
For a president serially accused of nepotism and parochialism, Aisha’s interviews, in my initial interpretations, seemed like strategic PR for President Buhari. Her criticism only portrayed him as he once described himself, that he “belongs to everybody…” All the things she said, intended to be a criticism of her husband, only projected a favourable image of the man.
For a fact, Aisha wasn’t speaking for me, probably not for anyone outside her circle of partisan elite. She was speaking for those who deserved or expected rewards for supporting Buhari. The hunger addressed in the BBC interview isn’t really that of the masses, but that of a part of the Nigerian elite who aren’t eating as they had anticipated. So, following her logic, democracy is intended to be a grand house party for friends and family of the celebrant – the president.
Shouldn’t this have been explained by the president’s media managers as validation of the man’s famous declaration of belonging to nobody even though he belongs to all? Aisha Buhari’s argument could’ve been valid if she hadn’t based a point on Buhari inviting strangers and opportunists to his government. She painted her husband as naïve, and that his government has been hijacked. Before him was an opportunity to describe her outrage as a misunderstanding of his magnanimity.
Perhaps the president was not disturbed by the media backlash that trailed his initial degrading response to his wife because patriarchy is a way of life in his country, and expressions as his aren’t interpreted as wrong and unacceptable here. We shouldn’t be fooled, millions of us like this male-privileging social order, even if we can’t make the delusion of that grandeur public. Amongst ourselves, and deep within us, there’s a maddening patriarchal tendency obvious in our reactions when we see a car badly driven, a lady living alone, a lady over 30 who is unmarried, a lady heading a big public institution. Like all privileges, men see this patriarchy as birthright, something hard to unlearn. Like that racist who can’t imagine a world of all equal. And it would be foolish to praise the president for publicly shaming us all.
Buhari has goofed by degrading his wife in the eyes of the world, and he should apologise to her. But her outrage over his approach to governance was harmless. There’s nothing wrong with the president of Nigeria appointing citizens he didn’t know, or had never ever met, which seems to frighten his wife the most. That’s a partisan concern, not a national problem. If anything, we should commend the man for refusing to reward only those who supported him as expected by his wife and her ilk. It’s one thing to say Nigeria isn’t functioning as promised by the APC, it’s another to say it’s so as a result of existence of “strangers” and “opportunists” in the government.
As we await the next episode of the first family’s rumble, the president needs a retreat to reflect deeply on the legacy he intends to leave behind, and the impact of this politically incorrect example he advertised in his reaction to his wife. Buhari used to be a flawless model to some partisans, and their intellectual allies could have written the story of his struggles and named it “The Best President Nigeria Never Had” if he had lost the 2015 Presidential Elections.
Today, he’s falling down the popularity bar, and the speed with which this is happening is the only motivation he needs to sit up. It’s likely he may not have company in the “other room” soon, so what he really needs is a space to reflect—a Reflection Room. May God save us from us!
20 Things Nigerians Should Expect From Buhari In 2016 | By: Governor Ayo Fayose
Who knew Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose was a Prophet? Oops! How can we forget so soon? he said he predicted his return to power.
The controversial politician has revealed 20 things Nigerians should expect from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2016.
In a statement personally signed by him , yesterday, he said:
“Fellow Nigerians, I want you to take note of the followings that will unavoidably happen under the Buhari-led government in 2016.”
1. Workers Strike: There will be so much industrial unrest, especially in the first quarter of the year.
2. Subsidy: There will be removal of fuel subsidy and petrol (PMS) will sell over and above N100/litre, leaving the masses in more serious hardship. Product will not be available and long queue in petrol stations will persist throughout the first quarter of 2016 and beyond.
3. Electricity: Power generation will drop to the lowest ebb. Still, Federal Government will increase tariff in 2016.
4. Unemployment: Millions of jobs will be lost in 2016 as against the three million jobs promised by the APC yearly. Most States and Federal Government will retrench workers as evident in the over 2,000 Federal University workers already sacked.
5. Economic Policy: Most private owned middle-class businesses will fold up because of bad economic policies of the Buhari-led government.
6. Devaluation: The Naira will continue to have a free fall which will take it to as low as N320 to one Dollar.
7. Economy: The Buhari-led FG will have no solution to country’s economic problems.
8. Security: Boko Haram will keep spreading and the Shiite Muslims will get more emboldened.
9. Human Rights: Penchant for dictatorship will rise with rampant human rights abuses and disobedience to court orders.
10. Anti-Corruption: Insincerity in the fight against corruption will continue and the fight will not only be selective and political, but targeted more at Southerners.
11. Elections: Attempt to forcefully control any of the South South States of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa by the APC will lead to unprecedented deaths.
12. Economy: Crude oil price will fall to below and about $30 per barrel.
13. Anti-Press Laws: The masses, especially men of the media profession will rise against the FG’s plot to deny Nigerians of their rights to freedom of expression. There will wide condemnations by Nigerians and the International community against President Buhari’s human rights abuses and disobedience to court orders.
14. Polity: Renewed efforts will be made to remove Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President; this will not only fail, but will heat the polity.
15. Hardships: Nigerians will experience more hardships. The President himself attested to this (THE SUN newspaper Tuesday, December 15, 2015). This obviously negates the change Nigerians voted for.
16. Elections: Plot by the APC to take control of at least one South South State will lead to death of many people. Particularly, rerun elections in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States will cause many deaths.
17. Corruption: Halliburton scam may be revisited in 2016.
18. Kogi State: Court will sack Governor-Elect, Yahaya Bello.
19. Bayelsa State: Governor Seriake Dickson will win the supplementary election. Taraba State: Governor Darius Ishaku will be victorious at the Court.
20. Politics: There will be subtle political alignment and realignment before the end of the year ahead of 2019 elections.
Full Transcript Of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2016 Budget Speech
“The Budget of Change”
A Speech Delivered By
His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
To
A Joint Session of the National Assembly
1. I am honoured and privileged to present the 2016 Budget proposal. This is my first address before this joint session of the National Assembly. I have come here today, not only to address members of the National Assembly, but also to speak directly to the men and women who placed us here.
2. I know the state of our economy is a source of concern for many. This has been further worsened by the unbridled corruption and security challenges we have faced in the last few years. From those who have lost their jobs, to those young people who have never had a job, to the people in the North East whose families and businesses were destroyed by insurgents, this has been a difficult period in our nation’s history, lessons that we must not forget or ignore, as we plan for the future.
3. By June 2014, oil prices averaged $112 per barrel. But as at today, the price is under $39 per barrel. This huge decline is having a painful effect on our economy. Consumption has declined at all levels. In both the private and public sectors, employers have struggled to meet their salary and other employee related obligations. The small business owners and traders have been particularly hard hit by this state of affairs.
4. Fellow Nigerians, the confidence of many might be shaken. However, I stand before you today promising that we will secure our country, rebuild our economy, and make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger than it has ever been.
5. The answers to our problems are not beyond us. They exist on our farmlands; our corporations; in the universities in the hearts and minds of our entrepreneurs; through the gallantry of our Armed Forces; and the resolute spirit of Nigerians, especially the youth, who have refused to give up despite all the obstacles confronting them.
6. This Budget proposal, the first by our Government, seeks to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth; and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians. We believe that this budget, while helping industry, commerce and investment to pick up, will as a matter of urgency, address the immediate problems of youth unemployment and the terrible living conditions of the extremely poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
7. In the medium to longer term, we remain committed to economic diversification through import substitution and export promotion. This will build resilience in our economy. It will guarantee that the problems we have today, will not confront our children and their children. This shall be our legacy for generations to come.
8. Today, it is widely acknowledged that the global economy has slowed down. This is particularly the case with emerging markets such as Nigeria. However, despite the weak emerging market growth rates, our domestic security challenges, declining oil prices, and the attendant difficulties in providing foreign exchange to meet market demands, the Nigerian economy grew by 2.84% in the third quarter of 2015.
9. We have, and will continue to implement strategies that will maintain macroeconomic stability and manage the oil price shocks we are experiencing.
10. Upon the inauguration of this administration on 29th May 2015, we engaged key stakeholders from various sectors of our economy and interfaced with the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in order to understand the true state of our nation. What we found prompted us to take certain strategic decisions.
11. On the economy, we injected new leadership at the helm of our revenue generating agencies including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). We implemented the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which, so far, has provided greater visibility of Government revenues and cash flows. We intervened to support States to navigate their fiscal challenges by restructuring their commercial bank loans and by providing facilities to enable them to pay salary arrears.
12. We have demonstrated a strong will to fight corruption. I am sure you will agree that the sheer scale of corruption and impunity of the past explains in part, the economic challenges we now face. On these initiatives, and the many more to come, we shall not be deterred. We will pursue the recovery of everything that belongs to the people of Nigeria. No matter where it is hidden. No matter how long it will take.
2015 Budget Performance
13. Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, I now present a review of the 2015 Budget. That Budget was based on a benchmark oil price of $53 per barrel, oil production of 2.28 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N190 to the US$.
14. The projected revenue was N3.45 trillion, with an outlay of N4.49 trillion, implying a deficit of N1.04 trillion. Due largely to under-provisioning by the previous administration for fuel subsidy and the costs required to support the military operations in the North East, the Government had to obtain National Assembly’s approval for a supplementary budget of N575.5 billion. I take this opportunity to thank all members of the National Assembly for the prompt passage of that Bill.
2016: Budget Assumptions
15. After reviewing the trends in the global oil industry, we have set a benchmark price of $38 per barrel and a production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day for 2016. We have focused on non-oil revenues by broadening our tax base and improving the effectiveness of our revenue collecting agencies.
16. Also, with the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account, we expect significant improvements in the collection and remittance of independent revenues. To further support the drive for increased remittances, we will ensure that all MDAs present their budgets in advance, and remit their operating surpluses as required by section 22 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
17. We are determined to ensure that our resources are managed prudently and utilized solely for the public good. To set the proper tone, one of our early decisions was the adoption of a zero based budgeting approach, which ensures that resources are aligned with Government’s priorities and allocated efficiently. This budgeting method, a clear departure from previous budgeting activities, will optimize the impact of public expenditure.
18. In addition to the proper linkage of budgeting to strategic planning, we are enhancing the utilization of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (GIFMIS) to improve financial management. The recently established Efficiency Unit is working across MDAs to identify and eliminate wasteful spending, duplication and other inefficiencies. We engaged costing experts to scrutinize the 2016 budget proposals. They have already identified certain cost areas that can be centralized for economies to be made.
19. We have directed the extension of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to all MDAs to reap its full benefits. We will also strengthen the controls over our personnel and pension costs with the imminent introduction of the Continuous Audit Process (CAP). These initiatives will ensure personnel costs are reduced. Our commitment to a lean and cost effective government remains a priority, and the initiatives we are introducing will signal a fundamental change in how Government spends public revenue.
2016: Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Growth
20. The 2016 budget, as outlined, is designed to ensure that we revive our economy, deliver inclusive growth to Nigerians and create a significant number of jobs.
21. We aim to ensure macroeconomic stability by achieving a real GDP growth rate of 4.37% and managing inflation. To achieve this, we will ensure the aligning of fiscal, monetary, trade and industrial policies.
22. As we focus on inclusive growth, we are conscious of the current rate of unemployment and underemployment. This is a challenge we are determined to meet; and this budget is the platform for putting more Nigerians to work. I can assure you that this administration will have a job creation focus in every aspect of the execution of this budget. Nigeria’s job creation drive will be private sector led. We will encourage this by a reduction in tax rates for smaller businesses as well as subsidized funding for priority sectors such as agriculture and solid minerals.
23. As an emergency measure, to address the chronic shortage of teachers in public schools across the country, we also will partner with State and Local Governments to recruit, train and deploy 500,000 unemployed graduates and NCE holders. These graduate teachers will be deployed to primary schools, thereby, enhancing the provision of basic education especially in our rural areas.
24. We also intend to partner with State and Local Governments to provide financial training and loans to market women, traders and artisans, through their cooperative societies. We believe that this segment of our society is not only critical to our plan for growing small businesses, but it is also an important platform to create jobs and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs.
25. Furthermore, through the office of the Vice President, we are working with various development partners to design an implementable and transparent conditional cash transfer program for the poorest and most vulnerable. This program will be implemented in phases. Already, the compilation of registers of the poorest persons is ongoing. In the coming weeks, we will present the full programme, which will include our home-grown public primary school feeding and free education for science, technology and education students in our tertiary institutions. Indeed, this will mark a historic milestone for us as a nation.
The 2016 Budget
26. Distinguished members of the National Assembly, I now present, the 2016 Budget proposals of the Federal Government. Based on the assumptions I presented earlier, we have proposed a budget of N6.08 trillion with a revenue projection of N3.86 trillion resulting in a deficit of N2.22 trillion.
27. The deficit, which is equivalent to 2.16% of Nigeria’s GDP, will take our overall debt profile to 14% of our GDP. This remains well within acceptable fiscal limits. Our deficit will be financed by a combination of domestic borrowing of N984 billion, and foreign borrowing of N900 billion totaling N1.84 trillion. Over the medium term, we expect to increase revenues and reduce overheads, to bring the fiscal deficit down to 1.3% of GDP by 2018.
28. In 2016, oil related revenues are expected to contribute N820 billion. Non-oil revenues, comprising Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Customs and Excise duties, and Federation Account levies, will contribute N1.45 trillion. Finally, by enforcing strict compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007and public expenditure reforms in all MDAs, we have projected up to N1.51 trillion from independent revenues.
29. Although we are working to diversify our economy, we will not lose sight of the need to restructure the oil and gas sector which has been marred by corruption and plagued with inefficiencies. Accordingly, I have directed the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to adjust its pricing template to reflect competitive and market driven components. We believe this can lower input costs and attain efficiency savings that will enable PPPRA to keep the selling price for all marketers of petrol at N87 per liter for now.
30. The current fuel scarcity with long queues at petrol stations all over the country causing social dislocation is very unfortunate. Government profoundly apologizes to Nigerians for this prolonged hardship and misery. It is as a result of market speculators and resistance to change by some stakeholders. Government is working very hard to end these shortages and bring fuel to the pumps all over the country.
31. I have also directed the NNPC to explore alternate funding models that will enable us to honour our obligations in Joint Ventures (JVs) and deep offshore fields. We are confident that these measures can be achieved and will lower the burden that the traditional cash calls have imposed on our budget and cash flows as well as contribute towards shoring up our national reserves.
32. To deliver our development objectives, we have increased the capital expenditure portion of the budget from N557 billion in the 2015 budget to N1.8 trillion, in the 2016 budget. Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, for the first time in many years, capital expenditure will represent 30% of our total budget. In future years we intend to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure.
33. This is a fulfillment of our promise to align expenditure to our long-term objectives, and a sign of government’s commitment to sustainable development. This increased capital expenditure commits significant resources to critical sectors such as Works, Power and Housing – N433.4 billion; Transport – N202.0 billion; Special Intervention Programs – N200.0 billion; Defence – N134.6 billion; and Interior – N53.1 billion. These investments in infrastructure and security are meant to support our reforms in the Agriculture, Solid Minerals and other core job creating sectors of our economy.
34. We will invest to safeguard lives and property.
35. We will invest in equipping our farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques.
36. We will invest in empowering and enabling our miners to operate in a safe, secure and humane environment.
37. We will invest in training our youths, through the revival of our technical and vocational institutions, to ensure they are competent enough to seize the opportunities that will arise from this economic revival.
38. Indeed, the future looks bright. And I ask that we all work together to make this vision a reality. The 223% year on year growth in capital expenditure demonstrates our desire to make Nigeria more competitive, and start the journey to deliver sustainable development in our country.
In fulfillment of our promise to run a lean government, we have proposed a 9% reduction in non-debt recurrent expenditure, from N2.59 trillion in the 2015 Budget to N2.35 trillion in 2016. Furthermore, we have budgeted N300 billion for Special Intervention Programs, which takes the total amount for non-debt recurrent expenditure to N2.65 trillion.
39. As I mentioned earlier, the Efficiency Unit set up by this Administration together with effective implementation of GIFMIS and IPPIS will drive a reduction of overheads by at least 7%, personnel costs by 8% and other service wide votes by 19%. Distinguished and honourable members, this budget will be executed to provide optimum value by ensuring every naira spent by this Government, counts.
40. We will devote a significant portion of our recurrent expenditure to institutions that provide critical government services. We will spend N369.6 billion in Education; N294.5 billion in Defence; N221.7 billion in Health and N145.3 billion in the Ministry of Interior. This will ensure our teachers, armed forces personnel, doctors, nurses, police men, fire fighters, prison service officers and many more critical service providers are paid competitively and on time.
41. Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, our 2016 borrowings will be principally directed to fund our capital projects. Furthermore, the sum of N113 billion will be set aside for a Sinking Fund towards the retirement of maturing loans; while N1.36 trillion has been provided for foreign and domestic debt service. This calls for prudent management on our part, both of the debt portfolio and the deployment of our hard earned foreign exchange earnings.
42. I am aware of the problems many Nigerians currently have in accessing foreign exchange for their various purposes – from our traders and business operators who rely on imported inputs; to manufacturers needing to import sophisticated equipment and spare parts; to our airlines operators who need foreign exchange to meet their international regulatory obligations; to the financial services sector and capital markets who are key actors in the global arena.
43. These are clearly due to the current inadequacies in the supply of foreign exchange to Nigerians who need it. I am however assured by the Governor of Central Bank that the Bank is currently fine-tuning its foreign exchange management to introduce some flexibility and encourage additional inflow of foreign currency to help ease the pressure.
44. We are carefully assessing our exchange rate regime keeping in mind our willingness to attract foreign investors but at the same time, managing and controlling inflation to level that will not harm the average Nigerians. Nigeria is open for business. But the interest of all Nigerians must be protected. Indeed, tough decisions will have to be made. But this does not necessarily mean increasing the level of pain already being experienced by most Nigerians.
45. So to the investors, business owners and industrialists, we are aware of your pains. To the farmers, traders and entrepreneurs, we also hear you. The status quo cannot continue. The rent seeking will stop. The artificial current demand will end. Our monetary, fiscal and social development policies are aligned.
Conclusion
46. Mr. Senate President, Mr. Speaker, distinguished members of the National Assembly, in spite of the global economic uncertainties; we must remain steadfast in our commitment to steer this country back to greatness.
47. The Nigerian economy needs to move away from dependency on oil. Our growth must be inclusive. Nigerians must be part of the growth story. As a Government, we shall deliver security, jobs and infrastructure. This is the right of all Nigerians.
48. I know many people will say “I have heard this before”. Indeed, trust in Government, due to the abuse and negligence of the past, is at an all-time low. This means we must go back to basics. Our actions will speak for us. My team of dedicated, committed and patriotic Nigerians is well aware of the task ahead and I can assure you that we are taking on the challenge.
49. We will not betray the trust reposed in us.
50. We will welcome and be responsive to your feedback and criticisms.
51. We are here to serve. And indeed, Nigerians will get the service they have longed for and which they rightly deserve.
52. We as a Government cannot do it alone. We will require the support of all civil servants, the organized labour, industry groups, the press and of course, our religious and traditional institutions. This is a call for all of us to stand and serve our country.
53. This Budget represents a major step in delivering a new opportunity for Nigeria. It demonstrates our confident optimism that despite the challenging times, we have the will, resourcefulness and commitment to deliver prosperity to our people. And by the Grace of Almighty God and the sheer will and determination of the Nigerian people, we will come out stronger and more united than ever.
54. Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A Word For Buhari, The Absenting President | By: Emmanuel Uchenna Ugwu
Within six months of inauguration, the man Nigerians elected in a
historic voter revolution has created an alarming pattern of absenteeism.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is hyped as an orator of ‘’body language’’, has
been voting with his feet since May 29, 2015.
historic voter revolution has created an alarming pattern of absenteeism.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is hyped as an orator of ‘’body language’’, has
been voting with his feet since May 29, 2015.
An audit of his overseas travel shows that, so far, he has accumulated
more than forty days and forty nights of elopement!
more than forty days and forty nights of elopement!
Though Buhari begged for and received from Nigerians a clear mandate to
help break the free fall of a nation that is disappearing into an economic
abyss, a Nigeria that offers the world one of the most frequent and highest
death tolls due to terrorist attacks, he shows that he can hardly afford the
discipline of sitting down long enough to master the desperate emergencies of the
nation.
help break the free fall of a nation that is disappearing into an economic
abyss, a Nigeria that offers the world one of the most frequent and highest
death tolls due to terrorist attacks, he shows that he can hardly afford the
discipline of sitting down long enough to master the desperate emergencies of the
nation.
With the recurring image of a lanky, bespectacled man standing at the
door of the presidential aircraft, waving and waving an umpteenth good bye,
Buhari has literally compelled the discerning to cotton up to the fact that he
would rather go elsewhere than fulfill the sedentary lion-share of his job!
door of the presidential aircraft, waving and waving an umpteenth good bye,
Buhari has literally compelled the discerning to cotton up to the fact that he
would rather go elsewhere than fulfill the sedentary lion-share of his job!
Time is the easiest to calculate aspect of Buhari’s wanderlust: By
checking his itinerary and adding small numbers, one can determine that our
brand new leader has notched a month plus stay abroad. The monetary cost is
different: It is hidden. Nigerian taxpayers do not know the irreducible minimum
amount of their money that grows wings whenever he leaves the Nigerian airspace
in his presidential glory.
checking his itinerary and adding small numbers, one can determine that our
brand new leader has notched a month plus stay abroad. The monetary cost is
different: It is hidden. Nigerian taxpayers do not know the irreducible minimum
amount of their money that grows wings whenever he leaves the Nigerian airspace
in his presidential glory.
What’s remarkable about Buhari’s incessant travels is the customary
festivity choreographed to celebrate every of his departure and return. The
ceremony dovetails with our uniquely Nigerian style. We don’t stage plain
stupidity: We bestow rich embroidery on it!
festivity choreographed to celebrate every of his departure and return. The
ceremony dovetails with our uniquely Nigerian style. We don’t stage plain
stupidity: We bestow rich embroidery on it!
This is how it works…
A retinue of Buhari’s aides and senior government officials, including
the Vice President of the republic, abandon their posts to accompany him to
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. They wear a sad, somber and sober
look; saying with the loudest decibel their frowns can muster that 175 million
Nigerians would miss Baba!
the Vice President of the republic, abandon their posts to accompany him to
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. They wear a sad, somber and sober
look; saying with the loudest decibel their frowns can muster that 175 million
Nigerians would miss Baba!
Baba climbs to the door of the aircraft. He turns and starts to wave.
He smiles a beauty pageant girl’s strained and sustained compulsory smile. He
keeps waving. Waving unrushed and unhurried. Waving in avuncular slow motion.
The slowest photojournalist clicks half a dozen times.
He smiles a beauty pageant girl’s strained and sustained compulsory smile. He
keeps waving. Waving unrushed and unhurried. Waving in avuncular slow motion.
The slowest photojournalist clicks half a dozen times.
Some days later, few minutes before his plane’s touchdown, a phalanx of
VIPs line up beside the sprawling red carpet. They wrench out radiant warmth
from faces that would rather not cooperate. They smile to say that the whole
nation had missed its Beloved President and is delighted to welcome him back.
VIPs line up beside the sprawling red carpet. They wrench out radiant warmth
from faces that would rather not cooperate. They smile to say that the whole
nation had missed its Beloved President and is delighted to welcome him back.
These grand rituals of presidential arrival and departure ceremonies
are faithfully covered and reported as… monumental national news!
are faithfully covered and reported as… monumental national news!
Frankly speaking, it is shameful that Buhari, the individual whose lot
it is to hold the reins of leadership at such a time as this, made himself the
valid topic of flippancy. No one would have envisaged that, after President
Olusegun Obasanjo explored the world between 1999 and 2003, we would, in 2015,
return to the task of tallying the days of presidential abdication.
it is to hold the reins of leadership at such a time as this, made himself the
valid topic of flippancy. No one would have envisaged that, after President
Olusegun Obasanjo explored the world between 1999 and 2003, we would, in 2015,
return to the task of tallying the days of presidential abdication.
Some conjectures beg to explain the character of this incumbent
absentee president…
absentee president…
Buhari still has the hangover of excitement. He grabbed the brass ring
after four enervating electoral contests: He thrusts himself too frequently
into the sky to dramatize that he is on cloud nine!
after four enervating electoral contests: He thrusts himself too frequently
into the sky to dramatize that he is on cloud nine!
Or Buhari likes to huddle with his counterparts. He would not skip any
fellowship of world leaders. He would not pass up the thrill of embodying
Nigeria in a room where a select few sculpts the fate of humanity. He would not
miss a photo-op that would enrich the album of his apotheosis as a democratic
head of state.
fellowship of world leaders. He would not pass up the thrill of embodying
Nigeria in a room where a select few sculpts the fate of humanity. He would not
miss a photo-op that would enrich the album of his apotheosis as a democratic
head of state.
Or he has a breeding that conditions him to roam away from home. He
happens to hail from a background in which the main means of livelihood is tied
to restless motion and odyssey.
happens to hail from a background in which the main means of livelihood is tied
to restless motion and odyssey.
Whichever of the above that made Buhari a president who is more
conspicuous in his absence has also made him the anti-hero of adventures!
conspicuous in his absence has also made him the anti-hero of adventures!
In this regard, he has not quite distinguished himself from his
predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan. President Jonathan attended international
summits with a mammoth crowd: In 2013, he had an entourage of 600 persons
trailing! The large company was his way of highlighting the status of the
country he rules as the most populous in Africa!
predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan. President Jonathan attended international
summits with a mammoth crowd: In 2013, he had an entourage of 600 persons
trailing! The large company was his way of highlighting the status of the
country he rules as the most populous in Africa!
Buhari sets forth with a relatively modest number of co-travelers. But
that is a cold comfort. The high frequency of his departures roughly cancels
out his lean train.
that is a cold comfort. The high frequency of his departures roughly cancels
out his lean train.
To be sure, the President’s job description entails a dimension of
international travel. The world is a smaller habitation now than it has ever
been. Leaders of different nations must forge alliances and implement decisions
that shape the world order.
international travel. The world is a smaller habitation now than it has ever
been. Leaders of different nations must forge alliances and implement decisions
that shape the world order.
Yet, Buhari’s insistence on ubiquitous visibility, his insistence on
reporting for any conceivable foreign talkshop or diplomatic gathering, his
insistence on leaping at every invitation to jet out of the country, is
embarrassing. It smacks of gross irresponsibility.
reporting for any conceivable foreign talkshop or diplomatic gathering, his
insistence on leaping at every invitation to jet out of the country, is
embarrassing. It smacks of gross irresponsibility.
So distressing is the situation that to commentate on the cycle of
Buhari’s flying out and his flying in, one would have to borrow the byword the
emcee repeats ad hominem at an auction: Going…Going…Going…Gone!
Buhari’s flying out and his flying in, one would have to borrow the byword the
emcee repeats ad hominem at an auction: Going…Going…Going…Gone!
Buhari appears to feel obligated to be present wherever two or three
other heads of state are gathered. He would attend…even if the agenda is not
consequential enough to warrant his physical appearance: Even if there are
pressing domestic issues that need his personal intervention.
other heads of state are gathered. He would attend…even if the agenda is not
consequential enough to warrant his physical appearance: Even if there are
pressing domestic issues that need his personal intervention.
This week, Buhari jetted out to Iran to participate in one gas
exporters’ summit. He left behind a Nigeria in petrol drought. With movement of
man and goods frozen. The President who appointed himself ‘’the substantive
Minister of Petroleum’’ left and he took his Minister of State for Petroleum
along.
exporters’ summit. He left behind a Nigeria in petrol drought. With movement of
man and goods frozen. The President who appointed himself ‘’the substantive
Minister of Petroleum’’ left and he took his Minister of State for Petroleum
along.
Buhari returned from Tehran, showed up at the burial of Madam HID
Awolowo, saw the fuel queues everywhere and flew to Malta.
Awolowo, saw the fuel queues everywhere and flew to Malta.
His aides updated us about his feats in Malta. They published
photographs of the Nigerian leader ‘’sharing a joke with the Queen.’’ His
coruscating wit worked: Elizabeth smiled back at him!
photographs of the Nigerian leader ‘’sharing a joke with the Queen.’’ His
coruscating wit worked: Elizabeth smiled back at him!
Well, that was supposed to pacify us. Buhari is not idling away in
Malta. Even though motorists have to keep vigils at filling stations, the
President cum ‘’substantive Minister of Petroleum’’ is serving us in a more
significant capacity. He is tickling the fancy of the Queen –on our behalf!
Malta. Even though motorists have to keep vigils at filling stations, the
President cum ‘’substantive Minister of Petroleum’’ is serving us in a more
significant capacity. He is tickling the fancy of the Queen –on our behalf!
Of course, putting a smile on the face of an 89 year old English woman
is a more urgent endeavor than easing petrol circulation in Africa’s biggest
economy!
is a more urgent endeavor than easing petrol circulation in Africa’s biggest
economy!
President Buhari has been more of a whinger than a performer. He is
either lamenting the ‘’empty treasury’’ he inherited or bemoaning the rampage
of corruption. He finds it easier to agonize than to engender the paradigm of
change he had espoused as a candidate.
either lamenting the ‘’empty treasury’’ he inherited or bemoaning the rampage
of corruption. He finds it easier to agonize than to engender the paradigm of
change he had espoused as a candidate.
His inordinate penchant for overseas travel might well represent
symptoms of frustration. He is seizing any available opportunity to momentarily
escape the drudgery of sitting behind his desk and staring at the critical
issues that plague Nigeria.
symptoms of frustration. He is seizing any available opportunity to momentarily
escape the drudgery of sitting behind his desk and staring at the critical
issues that plague Nigeria.
Distancing himself away from the country provides him spatial divorce
from the pressure to deliver on his soaring campaign promise he made to
increase economic growth, create millions of jobs and build critical
infrastructure nationwide. He gets to enjoy a pleasurable vacation. He immerses
himself in the environment of his host country throughout the span of his
visit.
from the pressure to deliver on his soaring campaign promise he made to
increase economic growth, create millions of jobs and build critical
infrastructure nationwide. He gets to enjoy a pleasurable vacation. He immerses
himself in the environment of his host country throughout the span of his
visit.
When he attended the 70th session of the United Nations General
Assembly in New York this September, he spent time like he had plenty of it to
waste. He blew the equivalent of one week –shaking hands with this president
and posing with that president and loafing around in between!
Assembly in New York this September, he spent time like he had plenty of it to
waste. He blew the equivalent of one week –shaking hands with this president
and posing with that president and loafing around in between!
The sight of Buhari flying out, returning to Abuja, and flying out
again, to grace all manner of appointments that can be handled by a
representative, haunts one with the irony of a General and Commander-in-Chief
flitting from one foreign refuge to another.
again, to grace all manner of appointments that can be handled by a
representative, haunts one with the irony of a General and Commander-in-Chief
flitting from one foreign refuge to another.
I fear that Buhari’s spiraling junkets is dictated by the
Fight-or-Flight dynamic. Animals tend to have two mutually exclusive reactions
to any palpable problem or threat in their surroundings. They would stay rooted
and confront the trouble: Or they would flee.
Fight-or-Flight dynamic. Animals tend to have two mutually exclusive reactions
to any palpable problem or threat in their surroundings. They would stay rooted
and confront the trouble: Or they would flee.
Buhari’s flights seem to be dictated by the Flight option. And that’s a
defeatist resort. Because he can’t successfully administer Nigeria as a roving
leader. No single national problem will shrink because he chose to be a homing
visitor.
defeatist resort. Because he can’t successfully administer Nigeria as a roving
leader. No single national problem will shrink because he chose to be a homing
visitor.
It’s obvious that Buhari did not sufficiently prepare his mind for the
toughest job in the land. He had underestimated the demands of the Nigerian
presidency. But now that he has the job, he must sit back and square himself to
face the prevailing challenges…even if it’s only because he had asked and shed
tears for it.
toughest job in the land. He had underestimated the demands of the Nigerian
presidency. But now that he has the job, he must sit back and square himself to
face the prevailing challenges…even if it’s only because he had asked and shed
tears for it.
President Buhari needs to suspend his overseas gallivanting and spend
more time tending to domestic matters. He just has to wander less abroad and
work more at home!
more time tending to domestic matters. He just has to wander less abroad and
work more at home!
Emmanuel Uchenna Ugwu can be reached via [email protected]
President Muhammadu Buhari, Aliko Dangote, Linda Ikeji others named in100 most influential Africans of 2015 list.
Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari, business mogul, Aliko Dangote, top blogger, Linda Ikeji have made the 100 most influential Africans of 2015 list. Compiled by New African Magazine, the list features 65 men, 32 men and the other 3 are groups of people.
Personalities were drawn from eight different fields: 22 from politics; four from public office; 21 from arts and culture; 21 from business; 11 from civil society; nine from technology; seven from media, and five from sports.
Other Nigerians included are; the immediate past President of Nigeria; Goodluck Jonathan, former UN Special Advisor on Post Development Planning, and current minister of Environment, Amina J. Mohammed; AfDB’s new President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina and UK MP, Chuka Umunna.
Opinion: Dear President Buhari, it’s time to face the goal | By: Muhammed Yakubu
After 16 years of deleterious governance of Nigeria by the PDP, Nigerians were inarguably left this time in a state of fear and evaporating hope. Then the God of humanity gifted us with another chance of salvation, and for Nigeria to reclaim its rightful position amongst the League of Nations with a leader that is widely acknowledged as an upright, morally sound and disciplined individual in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Been a pragmatic and time-conscious person, I burdened myself with what viable options the new government is likely to venture into within the timeframe it’s been mandated to govern. Realistically, the new president just has over 2 years to perform his social and economic surgery. i.e 2015 is apparently gone especially with our unready ministers, and by mid-2018 a new wave of political aspirants would have begun to spring out in readiness for the prospective election, which in most cases hampers effective governance by disrupting mundane time needed to deliver set out promises. Thus, cogent governing-time ends up been halved to partake in politicking and window-dressing.
Just about a week ago, one of the President’s media assistant came out to reinstate his boss’s commitment regarding the securing the lives and property of Nigerians as its topmost priority which is very commendable, that been said we mustn’t lose sight of the sacrosanct reason why Nigerians trooped out in their manifold representing all age-grades to support their perceived saviour and voted him to power, aided by the wide believe that he’s well equipped to address the endless problems bedeviling Nigeria, and as such decided to entrust him to lead us to Nigeria’s Shangri-La.
Lest we get carried away in our new euphoria, we shouldn’t get amnesiac about other perpetually troubling issues. Firstly, the state of illiteracy that still looms in many parts of Nigeria especially the north. Secondly, the teaming unemployed still remain largely on the street as the ill-cultured fast-boys and sly-girls have taken succor in armed robbery and running baby factories in a bid to eke a living.
Thirdly, public hospitals are mostly in a state of comatose and merely seen as Primary Health-care Centre simply meant for consultancy due to inadequate beds and drugs; while the surroundings ooze of blood-stench and offensive drug-odour due to improper sanitation. Fourthly, our Ethno-religious difference and mistrust still remains glaring with no signs of dissipating soon, and finally Private enterprise and new investors largely remain docile and complacent to take initiatives owing substantially to lack of insight and a pronounced policy direction and economic foundation by the new gov’t, which is supposed to route and kick start them towards safer and viable portfolio management.
Since the advent of our so far uninterrupted democracy with President Obasanjo’s first and second coming which was greeted with so much hope and anxiety, because the people trusted he had an adept knowledge of how the deterioration of Nigeria had come about plus his nationalistic ambiance and commitment to democracy. A preponderance, myself inclusive presumed he would be well equipped to fashion out ways to get Nigeria out of the woods, I still recall a few media jingles about the Electricity reforms his government undertook back then. Afterwards ushered in, President Yar’adua whose presidency was short-lived by ill health and later death, then came finally President Jonathan whose presidency isn’t quite hard to recount its hardship and lack of direction. The rest as we know is now history.
All the foregoing leaders enjoyed a substantial amount of goodwill, roaring reception and applause on their ascendance as President only for those hopes to be dashed away so quickly when the citizenry had sheathed their swords and let down their guards, just to realize they have been conned by another smooth-talking media aide or minister, with sugarcoated tales of progress while reality still bites like nothing ever changed, as basic social welfare of the people remains barely addressed. Like a friend of mine will always say “After all the grammar and executive council meetings, “All Nigerians want largely is a Welfarist leader who will give them that glimmer of hope by bringing visible good tidings to the table, say cheaper prices of foodstuffs, lesser charges for transport fare, stable provision of pipe borne water and electricity, jobs opportunities for the youth and prompt payment of pensions to our senior citizens”.
So while addressing Corruption and Insecurity, it’s needful to take a look at the larger-indigent society who are languishing in penury and quandary. More so, I wish to suggest that in an era of prudent management of resources, the Government will do well by looking beyond prejudice of the previous administration and taking a look at the resolution arrived at during the just concluded National Conference.
I’m sure not all resolves and propositions made were sentimental, and not all should be thrown into the bin, especially as we have little or no time for trial and errors policies.
Conclusively, we will recall the Civil War gladiator who fought for the unity and oneness of this country, Yakubu Gowon. His government was toppled mainly due to his unfulfilled promises as a leader and by extension didn’t meet the expectation he had set out for Nigeria and Nigerians. Now that politicians have lost and won their battles, it’s time to win over a nation that its majority population believes have met its heaven-sent Saviour.
In essence Mr President, you have just over 2 years to save us from eternal cynicism and national apathy. Dear President Buhari, the time to act is now!
We will never hang Buhari's portraits in our offices – PDP
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh in a telephone interview with a PUNCH journalist stated that the party will not hang the official portrait of President Muhammadu Buhari at the party’s Wadata House national secretariat, located at Zone 5, Abuja.
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Albeit the portraits of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan have been removed in their offices, Metuh was certain APC didn’t hang the latter’s before his defeat on March 28 and so do not feel the need to hang Buhari’s.
Albeit the portraits of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan have been removed in their offices, Metuh was certain APC didn’t hang the latter’s before his defeat on March 28 and so do not feel the need to hang Buhari’s.
“We will never hang his portrait in this office, because President Buhari is not known to our party. He is not a leader of our party and therefore we will never put his portrait here. We are a political party, very partisan and therefore, we are not going to hide that.”
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“Can you find out if the APC had the portrait of former President Jonathan in their office before he was defeated? That is just it.”
“Can you find out if the APC had the portrait of former President Jonathan in their office before he was defeated? That is just it.”
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Reacting to the statement, APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lai Mohammed, said, “This is ridiculous and we have no comment. Let Nigerians judge the PDP on this matter.”
Reacting to the statement, APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lai Mohammed, said, “This is ridiculous and we have no comment. Let Nigerians judge the PDP on this matter.”
Opinion: Is It Time for Ndi Igbo to Panic? | By: Chinedu George Nnawetanma
I will keep this write-up as short as possible and straight to the point. Ever since the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government assumed office on the 29th of May, 2015, the Igbos have been massively and thoroughly shortchanged.
Out of the more-than-a-dozen appointments that have been made by President Buhari over the past two months, there is no single Igbo man, woman, or child among them. The only Igbo that managed to rise to the leadership of a government parastatal under the present dispensation, NIMASA to be precise, was quickly booted out in controversial circumstances just days after he took over on the so-called principle of seniority.
A few weeks ago, the service chiefs that were appointed by ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan were sacked and replaced by four new service chiefs along with two security advisers. Surprisingly, out of the six, none was Igbo.
In the legislature, the situation is not different. On Tuesday the 28th of July 2015, the House of Representatives’ All Progressives Congress’ caucus appointed its 4 principal officers. The Majority Leader came from the Southwest (which had already produced the Deputy Speaker), the Deputy Majority Leader came from the North-central, the Chief Whip came from the Northwest, while the Deputy Chief Whip came from the South-south. None of the 4 principal officers of the lower chamber, in addition to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, is from the Southeast.
The Senate has since appointed its APC principal officers. As expected, no one from the Southeast was deemed worthy of holding any position over there. The Senate Leader is from the Northeast, the Deputy Senate Leader is from the Northwest, the Deputy Chief Whip is from the South-south, while the vacant post of the Chief Whip is reserved for the Southwest.
The events in the Senate did not come as a surprise, because no APC member from the Southeast made it to the 8th Senate. However, what happened in the lower chamber on the 28th of July paints the true picture of the situation the Igbos have now found themselves in Nigeria.
The implication of these arrangements in the country’s lawmaking organs is that there’s no APC principal officer from the Southeast. This goes to show that the Igbos have, by and large, been reduced to nonentities and mere passengers in the present Nigerian political setup.
Is this the agenda the All Progressives Congress has for the Igbos? Is it a sign of what is to be expected in the next 4 years? Yes, it’s true that the Igbos did not support the APC in the past election, but what are they doing to support and justify the actions of the few who, against all odds, risked their lives, reputations, and those of their families by throwing their weight behind the Party?
The beauty of democracy is that everybody is FREE and AT LIBERTY to choose whomever he wants to be governed by. He is not to be victimized, punished, or marginalized for doing so. If the reverse were the case, then the American region popularly referred to as the “Bible Belt” would have been marginalized and severely dealt with by President Barack Obama for rejecting him, not once, but twice, in a presidential election. His predecessor, the Republican Party’s George W. Bush, would have also done the same to the US Northeast, which repeatedly votes in favor of the Democratic Party.
These are true democrats who have had democratic principles ingrained in them from infancy. Nigerian politicians must also learn to be democrats, not vindictive and self-serving tyrants.
The sine qua non reason why the Igbos voted so overwhelmingly against the APC in the past general election was that the Party had, prior to the election, made no effort whatsoever to identify with them. The Igbos were treated as irrelevant while the People’s Democratic Party warmed up to them. With the way things are going, the APC is all but making those suspicions well founded.
Democracy is all about making people feel included. Thomas Jefferson, one of the men who penned what became known as the American Constitution, once said that “government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors.” So does leadership.
Be that as it may, the Igbos have clearly lost out in this current set-up. Now is the time to start re-strategizing for 2019. 2019 is not as far away as some of us may think. I still remember 2011 like it was yesterday; that was four years ago. 2019 is four years from now and it will come faster than expected. It is only wise that the Igbos meet it prepared.
All Igbos must come together to build a formidable political bloc devoid of the usual infighting and divided loyalties; a new sociopolitical platform that will not be driven by lust for power or wealth, but by a burning desire to represent the interest and meet the needs and aspirations of the Igbo nation. It should be led by a coalition of seasoned politicians and statesmen, leaders of thought, and intellectuals, as well as brilliant, vibrant, and focused youths.
If anything, the events of the past few months have proven that the time has finally come for Ndi Igbo to put their heads together, evaluate their current state in the Nigerian entity, and work towards a future with or without it.
I also wish to seize this opportunity to appeal to dear President Buhari to carry everyone along in his administration. Need I remind him that he’s the president of the entirety of Nigeria, and not just a section of it?
I usually don’t conclude my write-ups with quotes because I believe it’s a bad way of writing. But I’ll have to break protocol for this one by leaving you with a quote from Chinua Achebe in his magnum opus, Things Fall Apart: “The bird says that since hunters have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching.”
Chinedu George Nnawetanma can be reached on Twitter via @Nnawetanma.
Credit: 247nigerianewsupdate.com
President Buhari's US trip fruitless – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the recent US trip of President Muhammadu Buhari as a fruitless venture.
At a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said events after Buhari’s visit to the US indicated that neither the President nor his party, the All Progressives Congress, had learnt anything from the trip.
“Now that the visit has come and gone, our fear is that nothing whatsoever has been learnt or gained. What we continue to receive as a nation have been embarrassing disagreements, accusations and counter-accusations, blames and denials on very important issues due to lack of tact and skill in the management of state matters by the APC-led administration.
“It is disheartening that rather than secure any sort of tangible gain for the fight against terrorism, which has lost steam under the APC watch, with insurgents, who were pushed to the verge of surrender by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, now surging back and spreading into the country, we get nothing but exchanges and disagreements between the Presidency and their American hosts.
“This is not only embarrassing but also a worrisome indication of crass ineptitude in the handling of international affairs on the part of the present administration.”
He urged the government to settle down and face the business of governance and the fight against insurgency with every sense of seriousness, especially given Buhari’s promise in his April 2, 2015 CNN interview to end the scourge two months after his inauguration.
The All Progressives Congress in its reaction described the PDP’s attack as a beer parlour gossip.
”Today’s statement is the most tortuous yet by the PDP and, honestly, sounds more like a compendium of beer parlour gossips and side talks than a serious criticism of a sitting government,”
”To be in opposition does not mean you have to constitute yourself to a nuisance by rushing to the press with all sorts of hot air statements. It is the quality, rather than the frequency, of your interventions that makes you relevant as an opposition in a democracy,” The party said in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.