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Resign, Atiku Tells Buhari Over Comment On Economy

Published

7 years ago

December 17, 2018

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over his comment last Friday that Nigeria’s economy was in a bad shape.
President Buhari reportedly stated this at a meeting with state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The president told us that “the economy is in bad shape and that we have to come together, think and rethink on the way forward,” Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara who briefed journalists after the meeting said.
No presidency official has refuted the statement by Governor Yari who is of the same party as the president, APC, and is the chairman of the Nigeria Govenrors Forum.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Alhaji Abubakar described President Buhari’s statement as a ploy to attract the sympathy of Nigerians and a disguise to get a soft landing from aggrieved Nigerians unhappy with his performance.
“The result of course is this late hour confession of failure on the eve of our general elections, in the hope that millions of Nigerians, whom he has condemned to poverty and hardship will give him a clap for failing abysmally. I dare say that President Buhari has miscalculated badly on this matter because Nigerians are simply fed up with him.”
“The economy has collapsed under his watch and he has by this frank remarks admitted that he has no idea on how to fix it and that is why he summoned the governors to help him. This is really very sad because President Buhari has run out of time and what Nigerians need now is a leadership which has the political will, administrative experience and sound economic acumen to get Nigeria working again,” Mr Shuaibu said.
“But then, President Buhari has only confirmed what we have known all along; that he has wrecked our once robust economy, that he has no solutions to the challenges facing our country and that the situation can only get worse under his administration.
“The Buhari Presidency has continued to increase its expensive running costs and has failed to offer any explanation or recover the over N11 trillion (allegedly wasted) from our oil sector by APC interests, yet Mr. President is asking Nigerians to make more sacrifices,” the statement read in part.”
Atiku said the honourable step to take is for the president to step down from his position.
“Unless those in charge of the APC and the party’s supporters are, as usual, suffering from some form of self-delusion, it just does not make any sense for them to say that the APC-led federal government had brought succour to the ordinary Nigerian when President Muhammadu Buhari himself has admitted to Governors of the 36 States of the federation that the economy has gone beyond his control,” the spokesperson said.
“Or do we need a prophet to tell us that the president’s admission of the state of the nation’s economy is a vindication of our long-held position and indeed the forecast by HSBC recently cited by the Nigerian media where the bank had said a second term for Buhari would greatly stunt the economy of the country?” he asked.
He called on the APC to apologise to Nigerians for the party’s performance since 2015.
According to him, the hopes for better governance and improved standard of living that many had nursed with the assumption of office by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2015 has since given way to despair and hopelessness.
“The exchange rate of the Naira to the US dollar when the APC assumed office in 2015 was about 170 (official rate) to the dollar. Today it is 360 to the dollar. Today, millions of Nigerians, most of them youths, are unemployed, forcing them to become professional beggars who wait with bated breath for FG’s monthly N5,000 handout and N10,000 Tradermoni aimed at bribing them to re-elect the party in the forthcoming elections,” the statement said.
“Power generation has actually dipped from 4,949 megawatts PDP left in 2015 to less than 3,500 megawatts even though Buhari’s handlers consistently claim that 7,000 megawatts is what is currently being generated. What more evidence do we need to know that the APC has been a curse rather than a blessing to our country,” he queried
“It is amazing that, in this day and age when leaders of nations are expected to be creative and think outside the box, by applying new digital tools and embracing new thinking in addressing the emerging challenges to modern governance, our own President is still living in the Paleolithic age of blame game and buck passing as responsible for his failures. What this simply means is that President Buhari was not really prepared for governance and did not even understand the simplest intricacies of running a national economy as big as Nigeria.
“This is really tragic and it is obvious that President Buhari has come to the end of the road and has completely given up on the next steps to advance Nigeria, while those whom his dear wife openly declared misled his administration into this economic quagmire are still drumming up support for his next level of more hardship, suffering, unprovoked deaths as a result of misgovernance,” the statement said.
He said the only way out of the nation’s problems is for Nigerians to vote en-mass for Atiku Abubakar whose policy document focuses on job creation, ensuring security, growing businesses, developing power, and water infrastructure, agriculture and education and how ‘Nigeria’s next president will empower women.’
“The next generation of Nigerians are looking up to a visionary and cosmopolitan leadership, headed by a solid and steady leader, that will free up the space, remove unnecessary ancient cum bureaucratic obstacles and launch Nigeria into the competitive global space instead of de-marketing the country in the eyes of the global community. President Buhari should wake up and smell the aroma of the coffee Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is brewing. He is tired and at his wits end and it is time for him to vacate active task of presidency and return to his much cherished sedentary, pastoral and rustic lifestyle in his country home in Daura then leave the rigours and highly strategic art of governance to those who know how to govern and get the economy working again,” he concluded.

News

Amend Constitution To Accommodate State Police, Tinubu Tells Senators

Published

1 hour ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide.

President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

The president said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions.

He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.

“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said.

The president commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country.

“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all.

Tinubu thanked the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy.

“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.

You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me,” the president said.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the president for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the Interfaith breaking of fast.

He commended President Tinubu for providing the visionary leadership the nation needs at this critical time, stating that the administration’s bold reforms have now brought more revenue to governors at the sub-national level for the development of critical infrastructure.

The Senate President prayed for the administration, and for the nation’s peace and prosperity.

News

We’ve Made Significant Strides In Health Sector -Fubara

Published

1 hour ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration has made significant strides in the health sector in the past two and a half years.

Fubara, who stated this on Tuesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, listed some of his notable achievements to include the revamping of health facilities, the establishment of the health insurance scheme and the employment of over 2,000 health workers to boost the manpower and efficiency of the sector.

The governor further disclosed that the administration has revived and expanded several abandoned health facilities, including the Zonal Hospitals in Bori, Omoku, Ahoada, and Degema.

He explained that the Ahoada Zonal Hospital is a 105-bed secondary facility that has capacity to cater for the health needs of the people in its catchment area.

In addition to the Zonal Hospitals, Fubara stated that his administration has also paid very close attention to the Primary Healthcare Centres across the state to ensure that citizens of Rivers State, especially those in the rural areas, have easy access to healthcare within their communities.

According to him, the administration approved the remodeling of 153 primary healthcare centers across the State to ensure their functionality.

“As an administration, we are very passionate about the health of every citizen and resident of Rivers State. When we realised that many people have been under stress as a result of economic hardship, we decided to introduce mental health services at the primary healthcare level. We are not just catering for those down with the common diseases such as malaria fever, we want to ensure that our people get the right attention to their mental health at the right time.

“At the tertiary level, we have also revamped the Intensive Care Unit of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and provided it with modern equipment, including monitors, ventilators, and scanners. Most of these innovations are massive and unprecedented,” he said.

On staff welfare, Fubara also disclosed that he approved the promotions for over 400 staff of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and recruited an additional 500 staff.

In the same vein, the governor said the number of scholarships for indigenes of Rivers State studying at the PAMO University of Medical Sciences has been increased from one hundred 100 to 150 under his watch.

News

APC Unveils Committees For 2026 National Convention …As Fubara Assists In Election Appeal Committee

Published

1 hour ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the composition of sub-committees for its 2026 National Convention, setting the stage for what it described as a transparent, credible and well-coordinated exercise.

This was contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, and obtained by The Tide, yesterday.

The party said the committees would drive critical operational, administrative, electoral, logistics, security and programme components to ensure a seamless convention.

To oversee the screening of aspirants, the party appointed Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as Chairman of the Aspirants’ Screening Committee, alongside Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, as Co-Chairman, and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, as Vice Chairman.

For the Screening Appeal Committee, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, will serve as Chairman, with Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, as Co-Chairman and APC former National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as Vice Chairman.

The Election Committee will be chaired by former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, while former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, will serve as Co-Chairman. Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, are Vice Chairmen.

Governor Agbu Kefas will head the Election Appeal Committee, assisted by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as Co-Chairman and Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, as Vice Chairman.

The Venue Committee will be chaired by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, with Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, as Co-Chairman. Minister of Works, David Umahi, and former Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, will serve as Vice Chairmen.

On security arrangements, retired Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Gwabin Musa, will chair the Security Committee, alongside Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, as Co-Chairman and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as Vice Chairman.

The Finance Committee will be led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as Co-Chairman and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, as Vice Chairman.

For media engagement, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, will chair the Media and Publicity Committee, supported by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris Malagi, and Senator I. D. Gyang.

The Ceremonial, Programme and Events Committee will be chaired by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, as Co-Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as Vice Chairman.

Other key committees include Delegates’ Accreditation chaired by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Protocol led by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu; Accommodation and Transportation chaired by David Umahi; Entertainment and Welfare headed by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Convention Legacy and Rapporteur chaired by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Legal Advisory led by Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Medical and Emergency Response chaired by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris; and Secretariat/Technical Support headed by Hon. Mustapha Dawaki Bala.

The party through the statement, urged all committee members to discharge their duties diligently and in strict compliance with its constitution and approved guidelines, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening internal democracy and consolidating its progressive ideals through a credible 2026 National Convention.