Dipo Olowookere
A support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) known as the APC Mandate Defenders, has said President Muhammadu Buhari is not obliged to address the nation concerning the ravaging coronavirus disease, which has infected 12 persons so far in Nigeria.
The group, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Ifeanyi Emeka, said what is most important is the action of the President, which it said has been commendable. It, therefore, lambasted those criticising President Buhari.
“Since the outbreak of the virus, Mr President has taken some bold steps like setting up and inaugurating a presidential taskforce headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, setting up another committee to examine the impacts of the virus on the economy among many other initiatives.
“Accordingly, Mr President has been implementing the reports and recommendations of the various committees which has led to the reduction of the pomp price of Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol from N145 to N125, announcement of plans to slash the 2020 budget by N1.5 trillion, banning of flights by officials in the various ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals of government from travelling to countries affected by coronavirus,” APC Mandate Defenders said in the statement.
The group further explained that a Nigerian, who was previously tested positive, was recently tested negative after undergoing some medications in the country, while the Italian who brought the virus into the country is about to be released from the isolation centre.
“These are all bold marks made by the various actions Mr President has taken which a mere Presidential Address cannot help but will only exacerbate the situation because of spin-doctors who will turn the president’s address into a political enterprise,” it said.
The group also lambasted the former presidential spokesperson, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, for under-estimating the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as well as the capacity of the current occupant in handling the Presidential Taskforce for the Control of Coronavirus in his Thursday’s Column in Thisday Newspaper.
It said the SGF was not only qualified and capable of leading the taskforce, but also has capacity to mobilize men and material as well as coordinate national efforts to contain the spread of the virus in Nigeria.
“As SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha is responsible for the monitoring, evaluation and coordinating the implementation of federal government policies and programmes.
“So, the Presidential Taskforce on Coronavirus is still an off-shoot of his official mandate which he has proved his capacity and has continued to maintain the high pedestal of service in the fight against coronavirus,” the statement noted.
APC Mandate Defenders advised Nigerians to support the taskforce and other initiatives of Mr President instead of criticising and “wailing over a Presidential Speech or address, which will add little or nothing to the efforts of Mr President in containing the virus.”
