By Miracle Ogunde
The recent statement by Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, has stirred widespread reactions, particularly from opposition parties.
Speaking in Hausa during an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Katsina on Saturday, Buhari urged his supporters not to lose hope in the country, remarking that “Only God who created Nigeria can solve the problems of Nigeria.”
The comment has drawn mixed reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing their views on the matter.
In an interview with The Punch, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ladipo Johnson, criticised Buhari’s remarks, describing them as an acknowledgment of the failure of the APC-led government.
He said, “Well, it’s an admission that the APC government has totally failed Nigerians, and they have led us down to an economic downturn. This statement by the former president shows that even the current administration is confused.
“It also means they have no clue about what they have been doing all this while. It’s like a trial-and-error process. What we need is the right set of leaders. The APC has failed and cannot provide the leadership required to turn the fortunes of this country around.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shared a similar stance. Its Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, argued that Buhari’s comments were not only an admission of his administration’s failures but also an indictment of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
“First and foremost, I think Nigerians should commend Buhari for being honest about the state of the nation and the reality of today’s government. Buhari, however, failed to mention that he laid the groundwork for this government and its ineptitude. It is a continuation of his past leadership failure.
“Again, it’s a vote of no confidence in President Tinubu, which further reaffirms what we have been saying that the man is just there giving people colourful speeches and doing nothing. It is not a time to criticise Buhari for what he said or why he said it. It is a wake-up call to this government and all Nigerians to salvage this country from going the way of South Sudan.
“This is what happens in countries where leadership fails. So we must not give in to partisanship or nepotism. President Tinubu only consolidated on the ineptitude of Buhari who was just fortunate enough to lead this country.
“Therefore, all men of goodwill must stand up and salvage what remains of this country before things fall apart. Nigeria can only get it right if the leaders are there.”
Similarly, the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, expressed no surprise at Buhari’s remarks, asserting that the former president had little to offer Nigeria during his tenure.
He stated that it was time for the younger generation to be given the opportunity to address the country’s challenges.
“The truth is that I am not a fan of Buhari and never expected him to do well. So, I am not surprised that he did nothing for eight years. But my point is that we are in a country where, before a new president takes over, there is always a perception that he will do better. Unfortunately, after each successive regime, there will be lamentation that he didn’t do well.
“However, we have options in Nigeria, I keep saying it. Until we include a younger generation of leaders, we cannot enjoy the dividends of democracy that are happening all around the world. So, there is no point lamenting because there is another Sheriff in town.
“But just like all the letters former President Obasanjo wrote to him, Buhari neither heeded nor implemented any of the advice. So, if the ex-president decides again to write Tinubu today, he is also at leisure to listen or not to any of the counsels. This is because successful APC governments don’t listen to people they consider outsiders.
“This is why I said Buhari’s lamentation does not make any sense to me. It’s not something I even want to talk about because it is their system. Don’t forget this current President was among those who protested and fought in NADECO for the government to do the right thing. But today, it’s not safe or healthy to protest in Nigeria.”
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