By Charles Adingupu
With less than one month to the exit of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, some of his loyalists yesterday, rose in stout defence of his government, positing that he has performed excellently well in 20 sectors of the nation’s economy in the last eight years.
Sequel to the argument, the Presidential Communications Team released a 91-page document containing what it described as the achievements of Buhari since assuming office on May 29, 2015, as he prepares to leave office in about a month’s time.
A statement introducing the document titled “Buhari’s Footprints on the Sands of Time,” issued by the Media Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina, stated that the fact sheet was all encompassing and would replace the half information critics of the president had been peddling
According to the covering note: “In about four weeks, President Muhammadu Buhari touches down as the country’s Number One citizen. For eight years, he has served, making salutary impact on nearly all sectors of the National landscape: security, economy, anti-corruption, infrastructure; rail, roads, air and sea ports, power, housing, water resources, the oil and gas sector, legislative matters, foreign affairs, sports, youth development, and many others.
“The Presidential Communications Team here brings a one-stop shop of achievements under the Buhari administration covering eight years of two terms. It’s a collector’s item, an answer to the questions of those who would rather cavil, looking at a half-empty cup, rather than a half-filled one.
“Those who are objective, taking a dispassionate look at this Fact Sheet, would admit that President Buhari came, and served meritoriously. As he had promised many times, he would not be leaving Nigeria the way he met it,” the team further stated.
Since the Buhari’s 91-page achievements document was released, it has become a subject of whispering entertainment for social media users as The New Diplomat records sentiments expressed on Facebook and Twitter platforms.
EXCERPTS:
Usman Kano:
This report card comes too late. However, to state that the President performed woefully in his eight years of presiding over the affairs of Nigeria, would tantamount to throwing the baby with the bath water. But we must be careful.
Odiaka Abel, Delta:
The President and his men cannot fool Nigerians. Indeed, Buhari is not leaving Nigeria and Nigerians the way he met us. Let his handlers be truthful to themselves, if Nigeria is better off now.
Shola Ogun state:
Nigerians are more divided than we were before. Terrorists and insurgents had eventually over-run most parts of the country. From North to East, South to West, Nigerians are not safe. Perhaps that was part of the President’s achievements.
Osagie Ogbor:
Let the President’s Aides tell Nigerians how much was a bag of Garri, Rice, Beans, Corn before Buhari assumed office. Nigerians are poorer and the hardship in the country has become unbearable. You can imagine that Nigerians cannot event afford a loaf of bread which now sells for five hundred naira. Yet, somebody somewhere is counting the achievements of the President.
Efeurhobo, Ughelli:
All the policies formulated by this outgoing administration were targeted at making life unbearable for the common man. We cannot continue like this as a nation. I don’t think Nigerians will be happy with Buhari’s 91-page document achievements for those who will be privileged to see it. But for me, it’s a tissue of lies.
