President Muhammadu Buhari, has on Thursday, blamed Nigeria’s Leaders since the current democratic dispensation, for the “near destruction of the country”,
Although the President did not mention the Leaders by name, he made direct reference to those who ‘presided over’ Nigeria between 1999 and 2015, questioning how such Leaders had the ‘impundence’ to criticise his administration.
“Those in the previous governments from 1999 – 2015, who presided over the near destruction of the country, have now the impudence to attempt to criticize our efforts.”
Nigeria’s Presidents since 1999 were Olusegun Obasanjo (1999 to 2007), late Umaru Yar’Adua (2007 to 2010), and Goodluck Jonathan (2010 to 2015).
Thursday’s statement was President Buhari’s first personal reaction since the latest criticism of his government by Obasanjo.
Recall, that Obasanjo had lamented on the worsening security and economic situation in the country, blaming President Buhari’s government for it.
“Nigeria is fast drifting to a failed and badly divided state; economically our country is becoming a basket case and poverty capital of the world, and socially, we are firming up as an unwholesome and insecure country”, Obasanjo had said.
Obasanjo’s stance was backed by many Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka.
However, President Buhari’s Aides, including Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, and the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, attacked Obasanjo for the statement.
President Buhari’s statement was part of his 60th Independence Anniversary speech, and appeared to be his direct response to Obasanjo’s statement.
More news later…