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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

Losing sleep over workers’ pay

ALMOST everything that could go wrong had gone wrong when the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came on board in May 2015.

Revenues to the Federation Account had shrunk due to a crash in the international prices of oil, which is the main source of revenue for the Nigerian economy.

The prices, which hovered over $100 per barrel of oil during the previous administrations, dropped to around $30 to $40 per barrel of oil.

Most state governments in the country were finding it difficult to meet their financial responsibilities.

Topmost of the problems before the governors was how to clear the growing salaries and allowances of workers in their states.

So they more or less came cap in hand at the beginning of this administration to seek President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention towards clearing the backlog.

The President did not fail them as he severally approved the release of bailout funds and Paris Club refund to the state governments.

There have been allegations, especially by the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), that most of the funds have been diverted to private pockets.

The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) had also severally denied the allegations.

As if giving credence to EFCC’s claim after two and half years down the lane, President Buhari, last week Tuesday still expressed worries over unsettled workers’ salaries in the states.

The President expressed his growing concern over the unsettled workers’ salaries when the Chairman of the NGF and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, led his colleagues representing each zone to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

At the end of the closed door meeting, a press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, was titled ‘President Buhari Concerned Over Plight of Workers in States’.

It reads in parts: “President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja expressed concern on the growing complaints and agitations by workers in states over unpaid salaries and allowances, in spite of interventions by the Federal Government

“President Buhari said the plight of workers in the states need urgent attention as many could barely survive.

The President was quoted as saying ”How can anyone go to bed and sleep soundly when workers have not been paid their salaries for months.

“I actually wonder how the workers feed their families, pay their rents and even pay school fees for their children,’’ he said.

“The President told the governors that two out of the three-pronged focus of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to secure the country and fight corruption had received some commendable reviews by the people, noting that the challenge in payment of salaries in states had taken a toll on the people.

“President Buhari said the Federal Government and state executives would need to work closer together to ameliorate the situation of workers across the country.

“The President said he had instructed all government agencies to comply with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in order to ensure more transparency and prudence in accounting for the revenues of the government and the sharing of entitlements with states.”

Before the statement was issued, Yari had told State House correspondences after the meeting that the delegation came to thank Mr President for his concern about the states’ economy and situation expressed in the several support ranging from bail out, debt restructuring, and London- Paris club exit payment.

He said “We also told him that we think that it was because of the decision he has taken that made some Nigerians to accuse him.

He stressed that the President’s decision was the main factor that took Nigeria out of recession.

“Know that the 200 million citizens residing in Nigeria are residing in respective states. These supports are going down to them, when you are taking the indices from the grassroots. We thanked the president for that and at the same time, as a father we said to him Mr President you remember that in 2016, we presented to you the numbers of London and Paris exit funds which we agreed, and you directed we be paid 50% and 50% open reconciliation.

“Reconciliation is on since 2016, we are hoping that both DMO, ministry of finance, AGF and our consultants are concluding this reconciliation by November so therefore we want to crave your indulgence so that we can factor the numbers in our 2018 budget so that we can use it for projects and other recurrent spending according to the specification given by our respective House of Assemblies and that’s why we are here.

“Mr President was prompt being that he has a representative in the National Economic Council that is the Vice President and Minister of Finance is away. We are going to work with the numbers when he returns from his trip, we are going to follow up this meeting with him so that we can conclude on what is going to be done next.” he added

But Yari, who was worried about the major newspaper headlines of stories of the meeting the following day, denied that the President was unhappy with state governments over rising unsettled workers’ salaries.

Yari, during the NGF meeting last Wednesday said “We briefed the members about our meeting with Mr President yesterday, which I’m surprised some of you turned it upside down.

“You got the full briefing from me and then some of your people went and said they got from inside, I don’t know which inside that the President was not happy with the governors.

“It is very unfortunate. We had a very fruitful meeting with Mr. President and Mr. President accepted all our requests. The only thing Mr. President said was that he was not a technical person and that we should wait for the Minister of Finance to return, and the chairman of the Economic Council to be around.

“So that they can give him update and support on what he is going to say to us. So he said we should reschedule this meeting until when he returns from Turkey.

“I think this is what I told the press yesterday but I wonder how they turn it around.

“Please we have to be serious with our job, this is Nigeria we are working for, we are working for our country, working for our people. So we shouldn’t misinform the public and should be guided with the things discussed,” he stated.

It will really augur well for the nation if the welfare of workers in the country are taken very seriously.

It should top the list of priorities of the Federal, state and local governments as human resources is one of the most important and difficult to manage of all the factors of production in any economy.

This will also ensure the needed industrial harmony for sustainable growth in Nigeria.

October 24, 2017
Head of Civil Service denies reinstating Maina

Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) has debunked some media reports alleging that her office approved the reinstatement of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina and posted him to the Ministry of Interior.

Mr Mohammed Manga, Assistant Director Media Relations, OHCSF, refuted the reports in a statement he signed on Monday in Abuja.

“The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation wishes to inform the public that the reinstatement and posting of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina never emanated from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“Consequently, the purported reinstatement and posting by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is totally erroneous and misleading.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the immediate dismissal of Abdulrasheed Maina, a civil servant, who went missing for years after being declared, wanted for corruption.

The president said the circumstances of Maina’s return to the civil service must be investigated asking Oyo-Ita to submit the report of her investigation before the close of work on Monday.

The embattled Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, had fled the country to escape arrest by the police and other security agents on his trail but was allegedly reinstated to a higher post.

October 23, 2017
Maina: Buhari must be decisive on corruption – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wants President Muhammadu Buhari to be more decisive in the ongoing fight against corruption while asking for full investigations into the controversial reinstatement and posting of Abdullahi Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms.

Mr. Maina was accused of diverting several billions of pension funds after being investigated by a Senate committee and declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after absconding from duty and was dismissed in accordance with civil service rules.

But an online newspaper recently reported his recall and appointment as a Director in the Ministry of Interior, while alleging that the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahaman Danbazzau and his Justice counterpart, Ibrahim Malamud were behind the recall.

However, while denying complicity in the recall and promotion of Maina, Danbazzau confirmed that the wanted civil servant who is believed to have been taking refuge in a foreign country has been posted to the Ministry as Acting Director in charge of Human Resources and has since reported for duty.

Following public outcry, however, the President, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has ordered his immediate disengagement from service and a full report on the circumstances surrounding his recall.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the recall of Maina was an insult on Nigerians and the height of arrogance and Impunity.

While commending the President for the directive, Wabba said Maina had the opportunity to defend himself and clear his name either before the Senate committee that investigated him off before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission but choose to run away and take refuge in a foreign land.

The statement reads: “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress commend the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari ordering the immediate disengagement from service of Mr Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force.

“The manner of Mr Maina’s re-engagement and posting as Director to the Ministry of Interior is an affront to law and procedure; an insult to Nigerians; and a mockery of Mr President’s fight against corruption. Indeed it is the height of arrogance and impunity.

Except those involved in the Maina Gate, every other person in Nigeria was aware of the report of the Senate after a painstaking investigation; the refusal of Maina to avail himself to the Senate or the EFCC; his being declared wanted by the EFCC; his taking refuge in the corridors of power then (complete with a retinue of armed personnel) before his subsequent abscondment to a foreign country when power changed hands.

“Maina had all the opportunity to clear his name in court if he felt the Senate and EFCC were biased against him. But he did not none of this. Instead, he and his co-conspirators in the new corridors of power elected to do the unthinkable, promote and post him because they think we Nigerians have forgotten. It is sickening. It stinks to high heavens.

“As a follow-up action to Mr President’s directive, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress demand a full investigation of the circumstances that led to Maina’s flight and reinstatement; and prosecution on allegations of corruption.
“Mr President must firmly put his foot down, else some people will rubbish all that he has ever been known for”.

October 23, 2017
NLC demand probe of Maina’s recall

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wants President Muhammadu Buhari to be more decisive in the ongoing fight against corruption, while asking for full investigations into the controversial reinstatement and posting of Abdullahi Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms.

Maina was accused of diverting several billions of pension funds after being investigated by a senate committee and declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after absconding from duty and was dismissed in accordance with civil service rules.

But an online newspaper recently reported his recall and appointment as a Director in the Ministry of Interior, while alleging that the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahaman Danbazzau and his Justice counterpart, Ibrahim Malamud were behind the recall.

However, while denying complicity in the recall and promotion of Maina, Danbazzau confirmed that the wanted civil servant who is believed to have been taking refuse in a foreign country has been posted to the Ministry as Acting Director in charge of Human Resources and has since reported for duty.

Following public outcry however, the President, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has ordered his immediate disengagement from service and a full report on the circumstances surrounding his recall.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the recall of Maina was an insult on Nigerians and the height of arrogance and impunity.

While commending the President for the directive, Wabba said Maina had the opportunity to defend himself and clear his name either before the Senate committee that investigated him of before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, but choose to run away and take refuge in a foreign land.

The statement reads: “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress commend the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari ordering the immediate disengagement from service of Mr Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force.

“The manner of Mr Maina’s re-engagement and posting as Director to the Ministry of Interior is an affront to law and procedure; an insult to Nigerians; and a mockery of Mr President’s fight against corruption. Indeed it is the height of arrogance and impunity.

Except those involved in the Maina Gate, every other person in Nigeria was aware of the report of the Senate after a painstaking investigation; the refusal of Maina to avail himself to the Senate or the EFCC; his being declared wanted by the EFCC; his taking refuge in the corridors of power then (complete with a retinue of armed personnel) before his subsequent abscondment to a foreign country when power changed hands.

“Maina had all the opportunity to clear his name in court if he felt the Senate and EFCC were biased against him. But he did none of this. Instead, he and his co-conspirators in the new corridors of power elected to do the unthinkable, promote and post him because they think we Nigerians have forgotten. It is sickening. It stinks to high heavens.

“As a follow-up action to Mr President’s directive, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress demand a full investigation of the circumstances that led to Maina’s flight and reinstatement; and prosecution on allegations of corruption.

“Mr President must firmly put his foot down; else some people will rubbish all that he has ever been known for”.

October 23, 2017
Buhari for ECOWAS Task Force meeting on common currency ‎in Niamey

President Muhammadu Buhari will Tuesday depart for Niamey, Republic of Niger, to participate in a meeting on common currency for the West African sub-region.

Member countries of the ECOWAS Task Force on Common Currency are ‎Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Niger.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the President will be accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

President Buhari will return to Abuja same day after the meeting.

October 23, 2017
Buhari to Jonathan: Fuel now available, even without paying N1.3trn for subsidy

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday hit back at former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying our achievements are there for all to see.

Buhari also reminded the former president that unlike his time when they chunk out between 800 billion and 1.3 trillion Naira as ‘subsidy’ yearly in their time, without making the products available even at regulated prices, this Administration is not paying any subsidy, yet the product is available and queues have disappeared from the filling stations.

Buhari therefore posited that by now Nigerians

Nigerians are brilliant and discerning, and won’t be taking in by the former president’s claims.

Jonathan last week took a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of lies and propaganda, saying “My government was severely criticised for increasing the pump price of petroleum from N67 to N97 at a time that global crude price was going for over 100 dollars.

“The pump price was later reduced to N87 when the price of crude oil dropped and they attacked us that it was supposed to be lower.

“Those who criticised my administration are not talking again now that the global crude oil is about 53 dollars per barrel and the pump price of petrol is N143,” Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s spokesman, quoted him in a statement.

But the president punctured his claims with facts and figures at the Nigeria Government Forum (NGF), Media Conference For media handlers of state’s chief executive governors with the theme: “Governors Public Perception: Changing the Narrative Agenda”

Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said “Those who accused this Administration of ‘propaganda and lies’ in the fuel supply sector, for example, did not tell Nigerians that whereas they paid between 800 billion and 1.3 trillion Naira as ‘subsidy’ yearly in their time, without making the products available even at regulated prices, this Administration is not paying any subsidy, yet all products are currently available at competitive prices and fuel queues are now history.

“In their time, they paid subsidy of 3.7 billion Naira DAILY in 2011; 2.2 billion Naira DAILY in 2012 and 2013, and 2.5 billion Naira DAILY in 2014, all for products that were never available.”

Describing disinformation and fake news, as ”evil twins” in the public space, the president said that they have become potent weapons in the hands of opposition, expressing worry that they will be the biggest obstacle as the 2019 general elections.

He said, “Let me be straight: This is the most difficult time for anyone to find himself or herself in your position.

Why? Because in addition to working with a tight budget, you face the double tragedy of disinformation and fake news, buoyed to a large extent by the advent of Social Media.

Never before have these ”evil twins” of disinformation and fake news permeated the public space as they have now and, make no mistakes about it, they have become potent weapons in the hands of naysayers.

Sadly, they will be the biggest obstacle facing you from now till the 2019 general elections, whether you believe it or not.

“In recent days, you have all seen the dangers posed, not just to you but even the general public, by those who have chosen to deploy disinformation and fake news as a weapon of choice.

First, they created unnecessary panic in the society by claiming that Monkey Pox resulted from the Federal Government’s deliberate injection of people with the virus in certain states.

We had hardly dispelled that when they claimed that the military, which is going beyond the call of duty to support the civilian populace, has been injecting school children with Monkey Pox, forcing many parents across a number of states to withdraw their children from school for days. Imagine the implication of this on the affected children’s education and health.

“Now, the disinformation is that ahead of the forthcoming election in Anambra, the government has been providing IPOB uniform to some people to cause mayhem, so they can in turn blame IPOB, and that many roads leading to Anambra will be closed before and after the elections, hence they advised Anambra residents to stay at home and not come out for the election.

This is all disinformation, pure and simple. There is no such plan.

“Now, going hand in hand with disinformation and fake news is the new strategy of the naysayers to label the achievements of the government of the day as ‘propaganda and lies’ in order to discredit them.

It is for you, at your level, to use concrete facts to showcase the achievements of your principals. Nigerians are brilliant and discerning, and won’t be taken in by such deliberate denigration. But they also need facts and figures.

“For our Administration, our achievements are there for all to see. We are delivering in the broad areas that formed the plank of our policies: Security, fight against corruption and the economy, which includes the massive provision of infrastructure, ease of doing business and agriculture, just to mention a few.”

Earlier, the DG NGF, Mr. Bayo Okauru said the workshop is to help build the capacity of media handlers of the chief executives.

The Director of General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Garuba Abari, describe media handling as the key ingredient in bringing out the messages of what the Chief executives are doing.

He said citizens must know why things are happening and why there are not happening, describing the workshop as an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas.

He also said it is opportunity to get feedback on what government is doing.

Read Also: Attack on APC govt: Presidency hits back at Jonathan

October 23, 2017
‘How Buhari doused tension between Nigeria, Turkey’

President Muhammadu Buhari employed diplomacy to douse the tension that the issue of the Fethullah Movement would have created between Nigeria and Turkey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geofrey Onyeama, said at the weekend.

He also said the Turkish authorities requested for the extradition of over 1,000 Turkish citizens in Nigeria for belonging to the Fethullah Movement “FETO”, which has been declared a terrorists organisation by the Turkish government.

The extradition request, prior to the meeting between President Muhammad Buhari and President Tayyip Erdogan, on Thursday, in Ankara, had created tension between both countries as Nigeria refused to accede to the request of the Turkish authorities to have the affected persons extradited.

Speaking with reporters in Turkey, the Minister said for the “diplomatic skills” of President Buhari, the matter would have led to a frosty diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Turkey.

He said “There was the request for the extradition of some of the Turks in Nigeria who have been given asylum to remain in Nigeria and recognized by the United Nations (UN) as political refugees and the Turkish government requested that we extradite some of them.

“There was also the request that the schools and hospitals established by GülenMovement should be closed in Nigeria. They now labelled them Fethtulah (FETO) as a terrorists organization.

“These were all issues that were lingering and complicating slightly relationship between the two countries. So what this visit has been able to do I think is to put all those to rest and facilitated direct engagement and what I will call agreeing for a way forward between the two countries.

“Mr. President was very very good in that. He is a very good diplomat. Very very skillful diplomat. He was able to really douse the tension between the two sides while not compromising on principles of Nigeria.

“He did it very very well with a lot of diplomatic skills. The result has been that it has improved relationship between the two countries and government. The level of confidence between the two countries has also increased. It is a real diplomatic masterpiece,” he said.

Onyeama said that President Buhari assured President Erdogan that Nigeria would not allow its territory be used as a breeding ground for any terrorist or group of individuals with the aim of destabilizing Turkey.

“The point was made and Mr. President with regard to the Gülen movement that under no circumstances would Nigeria allow itself to be a base for the destabilization of Turkey.

“And Mr. President came out very strongly in support of the democratic process and institutions of Turkey, condemning the coup attempt in Turkey and reassuring the Turkish government of Nigeria’s total support for the territorial integrity of Turkey, for the democratic governance in Turkey and the security of Turkey.

“Likewise the Turkish government made that reassurance to Nigeria. So once they got those different issues out of the way, it was much easier and they were more able to focus on what will transform the lives of Nigerians and the Turkish people,” Onyeama said.

October 23, 2017
President’s supporters to Jonathan: your govt most corrupt

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan again came under attack yesterday from President Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters over his comment that the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to power based on lies and propaganda.

One of the President’s support groups, the Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG), reminded Jonathan that he ran the most corrupt government in the country’s history and has nothing concrete except monumental looting of public resources to show for his six years’ rule.

A statement signed by BMSG Chairman, Austin Braimoh, and Secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke in Abuja, said it was unbecoming for the former President to paint the Buhari in bad light when Nigerians overwhelmingly rejected his government during the 2015 elections for alleged incompetence and running a government without a clear cut direction.

The statement reads in part: “To us, it was uncharitable for the former President to refer to APC as running a government of “lies and propaganda”, while at the same time attempting to impress Nigerians that he ran a faultless government with time-tested achievements.

“It is unbecoming of former President Jonathan to speak of President Buhari’s government in bad light, even when majority of Nigerians home and abroad believed he ran the worst and most corrupt government ever.

“We submit that the former President should always remember that Nigerians rejected him overwhelmingly during the 2015 Presidential election on the alleged incompetent and directionless government he ran, all through, a reason he should avoid being brazenly judgmental.”

October 23, 2017
Africa’s problem is poor implementation of policies, says Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has identified lack of implementation of policies as the major problem affecting African continent’s growth.

Africa’s problem, he said, was not in debating or lack of planning “but in doing”.

Buhari noted that in Executive offices and Legislative Chambers one would easily encounter brilliantly drafted documents and initiatives.

But he lamented that those brilliantly drafted documents and initiatives are never implemented.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, spoke while opening the 48th Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre, Owerri.

He said: “What we need to consistently do now is to put action behind our visions and missions as time is no longer on our side as the countdown to 2063 has long started.

“The theme of this 48th CPA Conference, African Agenda 2063: Vision Master Plan, presents yet another crucial reflection point for those who today have the privilege of being Africa political elite. The Agenda 2063 spelt out a vision of an Africa that is prosperous, integrated, peaceful, secured and a continent that recognises the full potential of its human capital and as a respected player on the global stage.”

Buhari added: “The Africa we want is an Africa that works for its people, one that ensures that Africans can enjoy decent standard of living and security, freedom and one where men and women have equal assets and treatment, with respect to all economic, political and social good.

“Distinguished legislators, the power and the responsibility for rewriting the story of Africa lies in our hands; the people of our various countries have elected us to chart a course to the Africa that they want and desire. Our democracy serves no purpose if it does not advance the well-being of our people because we were elected to think, plan and act for the interest of the majority.

“We will be charlatans of the greatest order if our leadership does not provide for the present and secure the future of those that elected us.”

The President hailed Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha “for the leadership he has shown, for the work he is doing in Imo State and for his excellent hospitality always”.

“In the true spirit of African brotherhood and spirit, Imo State has in the past two weeks hosted not less than three African-centred international gatherings, including the visit of two African heads of State,” the President said.

Okorocha said: “One day, Africa will sing a new song and we believe one day, we shall occupy our rightful place in the comity of nations. Therefore, your meeting this time is apt and timely. It is a struggle to find the way forward for the African nations.”

He added: “We are passing through a very difficult moment, which many great nations of the world have passed through and we are not an exemption but we will one day in this our lifetime take our rightful place. My concern is about the youths of Africa. It might be shocking to all of you to know that African youths are so frustrated. We have not lived up to expectation of what we can do for the African Child. That will also anchor on my feelings that education must be given its rightful place if the youths of Africa must find and take up their positions.

He appealed to the lawmakers when they go home to legislate on the issues that will impact positively on the youths of Africa, good governance and to equip people for a better future.

President of CPA and Speaker Imo State House of Assembly Acho Ihim said a well-established strategy is crucial to the growth and performance of any organisation “because it is a plan that integrates its major goals, policies and actions into a cohesive whole”.

October 23, 2017
Jonathan’s government most corrupt in Nigerian history – Buhari support group

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to come under heavy attack from supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari over his comment that the Buhari government and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to power based on lies and propaganda.

Ones of the President’s support groups, the Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) yesterday reminded the former President that he ran the most corrupt government in the history of the country and has nothing concrete except monumental looting of public resources to show for his six years rule.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Hon. Austin Braimoh, and Secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke and made available to The Nation in Abuja, the group said it was unbecoming for the former President to paint the Buhari in bad light when Nigerians overwhelmingly rejected his government during the 2015 elections for alleged incompetence and running a government without a clear cut direction.

The statement reads in part: “to us, it was uncharitable for the former President to refer to APC as running a government of “lies and propaganda”, while at the same time attempting to impress Nigerians that he ran a faultless government with time tested achievements.

“It is unbecoming of former President Jonathan to speak of President Buhari’s government in bad light, even when majority of Nigerians home and abroad believed he ran the worst and most corrupt government ever.

“We submit that the former President should always remember that Nigerians rejected him overwhelmingly during the 2015 Presidential election on the alleged incompetent and directionless government he ran, all through, a reason he should avoid being brazenly judgemental.

“Indeed, the former President ought to be in the dock by now, answering charges on a welter of proven allegations bothering on phenomenal corruption, ineptitude, utter lack of focus and vision, all which combined to make Nigeria a pariah state under him.

“Former President Jonathan cannot claim to be a saint at this point in time when indeed, huge amounts of stolen funds running into trillions of Naira were recovered from men and women, who served in his government, including the former First Lady.

“Nigerians still remember vividly that looting of treasury was an art under the past government of Jonathan, while terrorism gained momentum uncontrollably as government officials under his watch pilfered from monies earmarked to fight terrorism without remorse

“No one is in doubt that Nigeria fell into the abyss under the Jonathan administration with a completely wreaked economy, which eventually gave way to a gripping recession that took ingenuity and wisdom from Present Buhari’s government to resolve.

“The Jonathan’s administration almost nailed the future of Nigeria, dealing a fatal blow on the system with a fraudulently contrived privatization agenda, in which only his cronies and henchmen were, mostly beneficiaries.

“In clearing the rot in the power sector, President Buhari did a rescue operation, which lifted power generation from an all time low of 2, 633MW by 2015 to 7,001MW now.

“To us, Nigerians are grateful that the achievements of the President Buhari administration, in a period of just two years, has surpassed those of the entire 6 years of the Goodluck Jonathan era.”

“We, therefore, allude to the ability of President Buhari to infuse a sense of transparency probity and accountability in the management of the national economy which has helped to curb looting, return stability to the Foreign Exchange Market while external reserve has continue to be on the sharp rise.

“It is also gratifying for Nigerians that the policy of diversification of economy has revived the agricultural sector, leaving farmers to smile to the banks amid the prospects of growth of agro-allied industries in Nigeria

“In all, we, as a group, give kudos to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the recoveries of monies and properties from Jonathan’s alleged group of mother looters, appealing to the anti-graft agency not to relent efforts in ensuring the prosecution of those found culpable”.

October 22, 2017