By Ahmed Idris
The federal government said on Wednesday that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the President Muhamadu Buhari-led administration on the economy indicated that his busy schedule denied him appreciation of government’s efforts and resounding successes recorded in the economic sphere.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Lai Mohammed, said this in a seven–page statement read to state House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
The minister also dismissed Obasanjo’s call on the President not seek re-election in 2019, saying the calls to or not to recontest were diversionary.
“On whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari should run for another term, it is true that many Nigerians have been calling on the President to run again, while others are opposed to his return. However, we believe this issue is a distraction for the President at this time.
“This is because Mr President spends every working hours tackling the enormous challenges facing the nation, most of which were bequeathed to his administration by successive past administrations. He is committed to fulfilling the mandate given to him by Nigerians in 2015. And that’s where we are right now.,” he said.
He said the federal government received the former President’s admonition in good faith, stressing that the administration had no reason to believe that Obasanjo’s motive was not beyond the well-being of the nation.
“We have no reason to believe that former President Obasanjo has any motive beyond the well-being of the nation in issuing his Special Press Statement. We have also taken his admonition in good faith, and we thank him most sincerely for taking time off his busy schedule to pen such a long statement,” he said.
He said it was heartwarming that Obasanjo had praised the present administration’s fight against insurgency and corruption, two of the three cardinal areas of focus of the administration.
He said the federal government was oblivious of the enormity of the challenges facing the nation, stressing government functionaries are equal to the task.
“We have taken the bull by the horns, and long-suffering Nigerians will begin to experience a new lease of life as our efforts yield fruits. We will not go into a state of funk for whatever reason,” he said.
The minister also told journalists that the federal government was working hard to address the perennial crisis between farmers and herdsmen is some parts of the country.
He called on Nigerians to have faith in the present administration’s ability to resolve the crisis, and to watch out for concrete measures in that regard.
