I’ve done my best; Ohanaeze, Afenifere, PANDEF others differ__Buhari

I’ve done my best; Ohanaeze, Afenifere, PANDEF others differ

The polity was awash with cheers and jeers, yesterday, over President Muhammadu Buhari’s remarks that he had done his best for Nigeria since he came to power on May 29, 2015.

President Buhari, who spoke in Washington DC, USA while meeting with Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Forum, and Bob Roberts, his deputy, said solving the problems affecting youths was the priority of his government because they were the country’s promise for a better future.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, Buhari said: “We are big in size and population, facing many challenges, but in many areas, we are trying. In seven-and-a-half years, I have done my best.”

The president also noted the need to raise a generation of youths devoid of religious extremism and bigotry, and urged the Abu Dhabi Forum to continue to target the young people “who are the promise of the future.”

He continued: “Your work is very important in helping, especially the youth, to understand one another and at the same time, to be proud of their heritage. This great initiative by you will help future generations to plan well and live together in peace. On our part, we will continue to solve our problems, especially as they relate to the youths.”

On his part, Bin Bayyah said the visit was to invite Buhari to attend an award conferment on him in recognition of his achievements in promoting peace and security.

Buhari’s remarks elicited mixed reactions in the polity with some hailing him, and others saying his best was not good enough for the world’s largest black nation.

Buhari has done well — APC Campaign

The Presidential Campaign Council PCC of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, aligned itself with President Buhari’s declaration that he has done his best for Nigeria since he assumed office in 2015.

Minister of State, Labour and Employment and Chief Spokesperson of the APC PCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, in a telephone interview with Vanguard said the president took over the affairs of the country at a very difficult time.

Keyamo said: “Since 2015 when the president came on board, and the fact that he took over the country at a time when no less a person than Okonjo-Iweala, the Finance Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan had told the world and predicted that we were heading for a recession, that was when President Buhari took over the economy.

“With that recession, subsequent recession, and the pandemic that came, with the global shut-down, with the negative figures we got sometimes from the sale of oil — at a point, oil dropped down to minus zero and we couldn’t sell oil at all. With all of those challenges and the fact that he has been able to steer the country to this point where our indicators are still better than many countries in the world, I can say that the president is correct to say he has done his best for Nigeria.

“He will leave Nigeria a better place than it ordinarily would have been if he had not carefully handled the economy of this country.”

You failed, Nigerians worse off — MBF

The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, tackled President Buhari for claiming that he had done his best for Nigerians, saying his administration had failed and left Nigerians worse off.

National President of MBF, Dr Bitrus Pogu, described the claim by the President as nothing but image- laundering in a foreign land.

Pogu said: “The statement from President Buhari was a self-assessment. Of course, nobody will say anything negative about himself. But we are Nigerians and we know that his performance has been below average.

“Whether you talk of the economy or security, which was the main issue in his campaign when he came into power, and other indices, you will know that he has failed and left Nigerians worse off.

“When you talk of the economy, recall that when he came in 2015, the US dollar was exchanging for about N197 but today in the open market, it is exchanging for almost N800. Prices of goods and services have gone beyond the imagination of anybody. There is so much poverty and you can see poverty on the faces of the majority of Nigerians. Insecurity has grown from Boko Haram in the North- East to nationwide killings, kidnappings for ransom and all of that.

“If you talk of infrastructural development, there is nothing to celebrate. You cannot say, yes this is an achievement that he can talk about. So, I think he just wanted to launder his image but I believe the Embassies of foreign countries are here in Nigeria and they know the truth about what Nigerians have been going through in seven-and-a-half years. And we Nigerians also know the truth.

“So, looking at these indices, what the president has said is far from what obtains in this country. It is better for Mr President to accept that he has failed in so many areas but that he would do his best to right some of the wrongs before he leaves office. I think that would have been a better thing to say than to say that he has done his best.”

Buhari’s best is abysmal failure — PANDEF

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, on its part, said that President Buhari’s claim that he had done his best for Nigeria was unfortunate, adding that the president’s best was a total failure.

PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ken Robinson, stated that, Buhari has another definition for best. But if the definition of Buhari is the definition known by all as ‘best,’ then Buhari’s best is an abysmal failure.

“Buhari has degraded the country in all spheres from where it was to lower realms in terms of our ratings as one of the fastest growing economies now to the headquarters of poverty in the world.

“As we speak,  the South-South has relatively become the safest place in the country because there are issues in the South-East, North-East, North-West, and even the North-Central that was a safe haven.

“When Buhari speaks that he has done his best for Nigeria, obviously, his best is poor and not good enough. It also could be that he is not in touch with the reality on ground and he speaks from the position of what he is told, because, perhaps he is unaware of what is really happening in the country.

“The economy is in its worst state, the country’s unity and cohesion are at their lowest level because the country has not been this divided. The feelings of disaffection, exclusion and alienation are at their peak.

“It is unfortunate that the president will be making this kind of statement and it is obviously insensitive to the reality on the ground and it is an insult to the sufferings and pains that Nigerians are going through.