Major opposition parties have criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari for urging Nigerians to seek divine intervention to revive the country, instead of admitting the failures of successive All Progressives Congress (APC)-led governments.
Henzodaily reports that Buhari’s remarks, made in Hausa during an APC stakeholders meeting in Katsina on Saturday, have sparked widespread reactions, particularly on social media.
The former President had stated, “Only God who created Nigeria can solve the problems of Nigeria,” encouraging his supporters not to give up on the country.
The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ladipo Johnson, in an interview with Punch described Buhari’s comments as a clear reflection of the APC’s inability to address the nation’s pressing issues.
He said, “Well, it’s an admission that the APC government has totally failed Nigerians, and they have led us down to an economic downturn. This statement by the former president shows that even the current administration is confused.
“It also means they have no clue about what they have been doing all this while. It’s like a trial-and-error process. What we need is the right set of leaders. The APC has failed and cannot provide the leadership required to turn the fortunes of this country around.”
The Peoples Democratic Party shared the same sentiment.
In a phone chat with Punch, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, said Buhari’s remark was also an indictment on President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said, “First and foremost, I think Nigerians should commend Buhari for being honest about the state of the nation and the reality of today’s government. Buhari, however, failed to mention that he laid the groundwork for this government and its ineptitude. It is a continuation of his past leadership failure.
“Again, it’s a vote of no confidence in President Tinubu, which further reaffirms what we have been saying that the man is just there giving people colourful speeches and doing nothing. It is not a time to criticise Buhari for what he said or why he said it. It is a wake-up call to this government and all Nigerians to salvage this country from going the way of South Sudan.
“This is what happens in countries where leadership fails. So we must not give in to partisanship or nepotism. President Tinubu only consolidated on the ineptitude of Buhari who was just fortunate enough to lead this country.
“Therefore, all men of goodwill must stand up and salvage what remains of this country before things fall apart. Nigeria can only get it right if the leaders are there.”
Similarly, the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, said he wasn’t surprised by Buhari’s speech because he was one of a few well-meaning Nigerians who knew he had nothing to offer the country.
Ahanotu added that it was high time Nigerians gave the younger generation a chance to correct the ills of the past.
He said, “The truth is that I am not a fan of Buhari and never expected him to do well. So, I am not surprised that he did nothing for eight years. But my point is that we are in a country where, before a new president takes over, there is always a perception that he will do better. Unfortunately, after each successive regime, there will be lamentation that he didn’t do well.
“However, we have options in Nigeria, I keep saying it. Until we include a younger generation of leaders, we cannot enjoy the dividends of democracy that are happening all around the world. So, there is no point lamenting because there is another Sheriff in town.
“But just like all the letters former President Obasanjo wrote to him, Buhari neither heeded nor implemented any of the advice. So, if the ex-president decides again to write Tinubu today, he is also at leisure to listen or not to any of the counsels. This is because successful APC governments don’t listen to people they consider outsiders.
“This is why I said Buhari’s lamentation does not make any sense to me. It’s not something I even want to talk about because it is their system. Don’t forget this current President was among those who protested and fought in NADECO for the government to do the right thing. But today, it’s not safe or healthy to protest in Nigeria.”