Nigerians have been reacting to comment made by the All Progressive Council (APC) that the former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was part of the failed government of former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
APC had said this in its response to Atiku Abubakar who recently suggested measures to be adopted by the President Buhari to diversify Nigeria’s economy.
The party stated that Atiku failed to put into practice his ‘preaching’ to Buhari during his own service as a vice-president for eight years under the administration of Obasanjo’s ‘failed and short-sighted government’.
This was contained in a statement signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in Abuja, on Saturday.
The party said it appreciated Atiku’s decision to key into Buhari regime’s policy direction in terms of diversifying the economy. But said it was a bit surprised that he failed to acknowledge the regime’s bold efforts in this direction over the past five years.
Atiku had stated his advise to President Buhari in a position paper titled, “How to pull Nigeria from the brink”.
The former Vice President had faulted some of the economic policies of the Buhari-led regime, describing the decision to close the nation’s borders with neighbouring African countries as “insane.”
The APC while responding added that:
Atiku Abubakar had eight years as a powerful vice-president and chairman of the National Council on Privatisation with vantage opportunity to lead the country away from its dependence on oil.
How Nigeria got worse even when international oil prices were stable and high are matters Atiku Abubakar may still need to address in the future.
According to the statement, it is worrisome that it took Atiku 13 years after leaving office to realise that the government under which he served as the vice-president was short-sighted for its failure to faithfully diversify the Nigerian economy.
The APC went on to list a number of good deeds carried out by the President Buhari-led administration towards the growth of the nation.
It further said economic policies labelled as ‘insane’ by the former Vice-President has:
Led to a significant spike in rice production across the country, opening up of hundreds of rice mills, indigenous manufacturing firms are sourcing their raw materials locally, boom in poultry farming, with Nigerians now patronising locally made food items like never before and, in the process, boosting the income of farmers and local producers.
APC’s reply to Atiku’s advise has however struck a nerve among some Nigerians, as they took to Twitter to express their mixed opinions about the APC allegation against Obasanjo’s government.
See mixed reactions below:
Love him or hate him, Obasanjo picked the best brains from across Nigeria irrespective of tribe or religion and laid a good foundation. We could say he didn’t do enough in 8 years or should have done more, but I’d love to focus more on what has been built on the foundation laid.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) May 3, 2020
Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007).
He stabilized democracy. He embarked on Pensions Reform, established the ICPC and EFCC. He secured debt relief for Nigeria from the Paris and London Club, introduced GSM and had an extensive privatization programme of public enterprises.
HE TRIED✌— OTUNBA ALAMALA (@OtunbaTbam) May 3, 2020
APC called Obasanjo’s led administration short sighted Gov’t.
Even if we give Buhari 10 more years to rule Nigeria, he can never beat Obasanjo’s achievement.
Not with the likes of Lai Mohammed, Ogbeh, Adamu..lmao
APC isn’t qualified to call any government shortsighted.— Premier (@SodiqTade) May 3, 2020
I have asked obasanjo’s supporters simple questions about his achievements which they have failed to answer.
1. Mention any major federal highway constructed in 8years
2. Mention any railway project completed
3. Mention any airport fully rehabilitated in 8 years
— Shogsy (@cashoggy) May 3, 2020
You don’t even have to like Obasanjo
But you can’t deny man surrounded himself with a star studded XI
From Dora Akunyili to Ngozi Okonjo to Atiku to Charles Soludo.
And considering Nigeria was just making a switch to Civilian rule, Obasanjo was perhaps the best person to rule.
— The Kingmaker (@SmithVinci) May 3, 2020
APC was right to call Obasanjos government shortsighted, Obasanjo had 8 years and he destroyed Railway corporation, our educational system, Nigeria airways, health sector, but if we talk haters will say he gave us mobile phone, Baba and bubu are in the same WhatsApp group. Rest!
— ℙℙ ( at ) (@mrrebelxo) May 3, 2020
Obasanjo at least had this sense of being, somewhat larger-than-life. You could sense his aura even in front of your TV set. It made you fantasize what a great thing it could be being a President (perhaps also bcoz I was much younger). Buhari has none of that. Absolutely none. pic.twitter.com/ZP2m5PSig5
— Fatima Adu (First Lady™) (@NaijaGoBeta1) April 30, 2020
1/2, Obasanjo surrounded himself with the best brains you can ever imagine,set the ball rolling the right direction for 8years bah! We can’t just appreciate him enough for the basic infrastructure he put in place like Good roads, 24/7 power supply, Imagine free education……
— Warlord (@BalogunGambari) May 3, 2020
The worst mistake that Nigerians made in 2007 was not allowing Obasanjo to have a third term, in short , if we had allowed Obasanjo and his team to rule Nigeria till date, Nigeria will have taken a leap forward #Obasanjo
— Plato (@Plato48466760) May 3, 2020
I don’t get! How is it that Obasanjo & Buhari are placed on the same pedestal? @MBuhari just dey learn work. The high handedness i assumed he will come with is lost. #obasanjo laid a good foundation considering that was the inception of democracy
— Barbara Anang Marok (@AnangOrBarbs) May 3, 2020
APC called Obasanjo’s admin short sighted? APC can not even coordinate it’s media team to come out with one lie in unity. They will all have contrasting versions.
Obasanjo’s cabinet was a dream and has tangible results to show. This admin on the other hand?
Rain de fall abeg
— Raymond (@IamTheIroko) May 3, 2020
Sure man had is problems, some of which he might never be forgiven for..
Obasanjo biggest flaw is perhaps his biggest strength, one of the reason he was backed in 1999.
He knew how to Navigate power.
Well, till he wanted more.. (a 3rd term)
Power can be consuming tho.— The Kingmaker🦉 (@SmithVinci) May 3, 2020
