Buhari Begs for Time to Revive Economy, Tackle Corruption

By Dipo Olowookere

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with his administration on the issues of security, corruption and the economy.

When Mr Buhari was sworn-in as President of Nigeria in 2015, he said his administration will make the country safer, revive the economy and fight corruption that has taken the nation backwards.

But the promises he made to Nigerians have not been fulfilled as his government has been accused of massive corruption with the economy going into recession two times in four years.

In 2016, just a year after he assumed office, the economy slipped into a recession and exited a year later. In 2020, the economy again fell into a recession and it is projected that it may bounce back next year.

On the third part of his major agenda, security, the nation has been battling with various attacks from bandits and terrorists. There have been several killings by assassins lately, forcing many Nigerians, including the National Assembly, to call for the sack of the service chiefs. However, the President has refused to remove them.

Last Friday, President Buhari travelled to Daura, Kastina State for a weeklong private visit and shortly after he arrived, some bandits kidnapped more than 400 students of the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, some kilometres away from Daura.

The incident sparked outrage in Nigeria and the parliament did not hide their anger over the development. Efforts were made to rescue the students and on Thursday night, news of their released sparked joy.

Reacting to the news, the President thanked those who facilitated the release of the schoolboys, especially the Governor of Kastina State, Mr Bello Masari, who visited the President in Daura to brief him on the development earlier in the week.

Mr Buhari said he was aware of the issues in the country and called for time to make everyone happy.

“I welcome the release of the kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara. This is a huge relief to the entire country and [the] international community. The entire country is grateful to Governor Masari, the intelligence agencies, the military and the police force.

“Our administration is fully aware of the responsibility we have to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians. I ask Nigerians to be patient and fair to us as we deal with the challenges of security, the economy, and corruption. We will not relent,” Mr Buhari said.