My critics should remember how bad things were before: Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians especially the elite to be fair in their criticism of his administration, saying his administration has made marked progress since he assumed power.
Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman said Mr. Buhari made the appeal when he received in audience, Rev. Yakubu Pam, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.
The president said: “Those criticising the administration should be fair in terms of reflecting on where we were before we came, where we are now and what resources are available to us and what we have done with the limited resources.
“We had to struggle paying debts, investing in road repairs and rebuilding, to revamp the rail and try to get power.
“This is what I hope the elite, when they want to criticise will use to compare notes.”
On the security situation especially in the Northeast, the president remarked: “What was the situation when we came? Try and ask people from Borno or from Adamawa for that matter and Yobe.
“What was the condition before we came and what is the condition now? Still, there are problems in Borno and Yobe, there are occasional Boko Haram problems, but they know the difference because a lot of them moved out of their states and moved to Kaduna, Kano and here (in Abuja).
“We were not spared of the attacks at the time. The government is doing its best and I hope that eventually, our best will be good enough.”
Mr. Buhari also assured that the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons was paramount on the agenda of the government.
“The people in IDP camps, the weak, aged, I feel sorry for the young because this is the time they are supposed to get education,” the president said.
He commended the Executive Secretary on his activities on peace building around the country in spite of his short time in the saddle and assured him of the listening ear of the government whenever he had contributions to make.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Pam had intimated the president with some of the activities of the Commission since he was appointed in July 2020.
According to him, such activities include; organisation of Peace Summit on Southern Kaduna as well as peace building efforts in Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States.
He added that the commission had proposed to host Christian religious leaders in a summit to help douse pressures within the polity, among other plans lined up.
Last year, renowned cleric, Matthew Kukah made a scathing criticism of Mr. Buhari in his Christmas message over the president’s nepotistic disposition and growing insecurity in the nation.
The homily has since generated much furore with aides and supporters of Mr. Buhari lashing out at the Catholic Bishop while other Nigerians have risen in his defence.
NAN
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Abuja
Man jailed for stealing Abuja mosque praying mat
The prosecutor, Chinedu Ogada, told the court that Ali Zuma arrested Mr Idris on March 17 and took him to the police at Zuba, also in the FCT.
World
Figures show 2023 UK recession slightly weaker than first thought
The recession in the United Kingdom that entered in the latter half of 2023 was slightly less severe than first thought.
Lagos
Husband arrested for beating wife to death in Lagos: Police
The police command in Lagos says it arrested a man (name withheld) for allegedly beating his 40-year-old wife to death.
Anti-Corruption
Tinubu’s government to arraign Binance, others for tax evasion April 4
The EFCC said the information afforded to its team of investigators by Binance showed that the total trading volume from Nigeria in 2023 alone stood at $21.6 billion.
States
DHQ says troops killed 212 terrorists, captured 252 in one week in Anambra, Ebonyi, others
DHQ says troops killed 121 terrorists, apprehended 253 and rescued 244 kidnapped hostages in different operations nationwide in one week.
Politics
Enugu Assembly: Six Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP
Six Labour Party members of the Enugu House of Assembly have officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.