Comrade Ahmad Sajoh, Former Chief Press Secretary, former Commissioner of information in Adamawa state who served the governments ov former Governor Murtala Nyako, Former Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow said no matter how others are looking at the present Government of President Muhammadu Buhari, there is much to it as he tried his best in many aspects. His views revealed that the Buhari led government has placed the country in the threshold of development.
in this interview with our Editor in Chief, Tom Garba Sajoh said President Muhammadu Buhari has navigated through Nigerian Challenges as the usual occurrence of bombings and Boko Haram attacks has been drastically reduced. He said peace in Niger Delta has been effectively consolidated.
These and many more reasons he said Buhari is able to achieved, placing the country in the threshold of development that others coming after him will appreciate his efforts made to return the country back to its economy vibrancy.
What’s your take on the journey so far?
Well you know Nigeria is a very complex country but so far the President has been able to navigate the situation. A lot of people see the security challenges as getting worst, but it’s not true. What positives are that:
1. The North East is no longer under the flag Boko Haram
2. Peace in the Niger Delta has been effectively consolidated
3. Suicide bombings have stopped completely
4. Abductees are almost always and eventually recovered .Remember the Chibok girls are still out there.
On Infrastructure, the railways are now running on two guages the standard and narrow guages. Abuja to Kaduna, Lagos to Ibadan and Warri to Itakpe are all new. abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Lagos Airports can now compete with any Airport in the world. The Eastern flak has four new deep sea ports. Hundreds of thousands of kilometers of roads have been constructed while the second Niger bridge is almost completed. In agriculture rice pyramids are springing in many parts. The Buhari Government gave out bail out to 27 states inorder to offset backlog of salaries. This was done without discrimination as was the case in the past where only the ruling party states get federal government support. The Paris club refunds helped build most of the infrastructure of the states across party lines. Even the Covid 19 pandemic had been a challenge that brought the best in us. All the populous countries of the world from US to India to Brazil had disasters to manage, but Nigeria had the pandemic under control.
In all there may be lows for the country in the last six years, but there are many highs
What do you think is bringing this issue of agitation for things like Biafra, Oduduwa nations? And what advise do you have for the agitators
I think the agitations are the result of cumulative injustices done to different sections in Nigeria. This Government is just being made a scapegoat. In addition, several people are beginning to believe that you cannot be allowed to lead this country until you present some level agitations in a forceful manner. It worked with the South West in 1999, it worked for the South South in 2011 and the North used it in 2015. There has been this pattern and it’s nothing new. However, what is happening today is a culmination of our slide towards anarchy because the agitations are not just forceful but somehow treasonable in some cases. With non-state actors having hold of instruments of violence openly it’s becoming a worrisome phenomena.
My advice is not just to agitators but the Government as well. I think we need to create a platform where we all sit down and talk to each. For example even we in Mubi have our griviances. We can to Nigeria in 1961 as the capital of an entity equal to other Regional capitals. Today we have been reduced to a vassal. We all need to talk to each other.
[6/13, 8:15 PM] Sajoh Infor Com: How will you assess Mr president speech yesterday?
You cannot talk of patriotism without talking of Nationhood. We are yet to evolve as a nation so without the feeling of being members of a nation you cannot talk of patriotism. We need to work on our nationhood first. Secondly we need a system that is fair, just and equitable. Without justice, fairness and equity you cannot have any form of peaceful coexistence.
Finally let all agitators understand that we have more in common than we tend to ignore. Separation may not serve the best interest of anyone. We must appreciate God’s purpose in putting us together. Nigeria is better together.
It was good. Very good. He spoke to the issues. He accepted responsibility for the actions of his government. He gave out a score card and later also raised concerns where targets are not met. But the most important part of the speech is the empathy expressed. I think the president deserves commendation for emphasizing with families of our Gallant fighting forces and the innocent citizens who lost their lives
Lastly, what call do you have to Nigerians on patriotism and peaceful coexistence.
