The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has rejected the statement made by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, that President Muhammadu Buhari has nothing more to offer in tackling the insecurity in the country.
The minister, who said the remark of the former president “smacks of dirty politicking” said his principal has done so much to ensure the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians.
Obasanjo, who spoke on Monday at a retreat on inclusive security organized by the Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa, urged Nigerians not to expect anything more from Buhari in terms of security.
The former president said expecting more delivery from Buhari on the insecurity state of the country is tantamount to whipping a dead horse.
Reacting during a press conference in Abuja, the Laid Mohammed rejected the claims, saying that Buhari has done so much that Nigerians will continue to enjoy the advantages even after leaving office in 2023.
He pointed out that the president is equipping the military to effectively tackle insecurity in the country.
His words, “Gentlemen, President Buhari has done so much, under very difficult economic and social conditions, to tackle insecurity in our country. Not only has he done so much, President Buhari continues to do much more to keep Nigerians safe. To say he has nothing more to offer is untrue, fallacious and smacks of dirty politicking.
“By boosting the number and capacity of our fighting forces, Mr President is putting them in good stead to tackle insecurity not just during the life of his administration but long after he would have left office. President Buhari is leaving a legacy of security, infrastructural development, economic prosperity and social cohesion for Nigeria. This may not seem obvious today, amidst daunting challenges, but posterity will be kind to this president.
“Yes, banditry and kidnapping have added to the state of insecurity, President Buhari has also continued to provide quality leadership in order to ensure that our security agencies decisively tackle the cankerworm of insecurity of any hue.
“No administration in Nigeria’s recent history has provided the security agencies with the hardware needed to tackle insecurity as that of President Buhari, in addition to raising the morale of our security men and women. Only last week, Mr President commissioned an armada of naval boats and ships in the latest effort to enhance our nation’s maritime security. The army, the air force and the police, among others, have also been receiving modern hardware to strengthen their arsenal.”