Buhari stirs fresh controversy, Gives Self Pass Mark

…with some members of the Buhari Diaspora Support Group

This one is certain to get opponents of the present administration talking yet again, because it is coming from none other than President Muhammadu Buhari himself.

Again, he is blaming the past leadership for some of the lapses for which the government is  being criticised, adding nonetheless that his administration has done commendably well.

A press statement by the president, but signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quotes the president as saying that the pass mark is in consideration of the situation in which the president and his team met the country upon assuming office.

He spoke while receiving some members of the Buhari Diaspora Support Organisation, led by Mr. Charles Sylvester.

“Failure of some of the leadership we had in the past led to our not being able to capitalise on resources to improve the lot of the people,” the President said.

According to him, “wicked people” plundered the country, “and kept Nigerians poor.”

He described as massive, the  damage done to the Nigerian economy in the years preceding, adding that government was doing its best to recover some of the loot.

“If they had used 50 per cent of the money we made when oil prices went as high as $143 per barrel, and stabilised at $100 with production at 2.1 million barrels per day for many years, Nigerians would have minded their business.

“You could almost grow food on our roads, as they were abandoned. The stealing was so much, and they were so inept that they could not even cover the stealing properly.

“I wonder how all those things could have happened to our country,” the President said.

On the visiting team, he said:

“I am happy that people like you are here, on your own, defending the country. You have shown courage and sacrifice. I assure you that your confidence in us won’t be abused; we will do our best to justify it,” Buhari said.

In his response, Sylvester reportedly said: “You met a difficult situation, but you have overcome most of them. We are happy with the agriculture revolution, the ease of doing business, the anti-corruption war, the employment of youths through the N-Power programme, and the blockage of leakages in the public sector through the Treasury Single Account.

“We are proud of the speed with which you recovered the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls. It shows you as a worthy General.

“We are happy that you have declared for 2019. Majority of Nigerians are happy, but agents of corruption and darkness are unhappy.

“The same God who healed you when you were ill, will grant you victory in the 2019 elections. You are a General who does not fear combat, either with Generals or non-Generals.

“We declare our love and support for you. You are fixing the faulty foundations of our country and second term is when you will build the enduring structure.”