Nigerians Are Poorer Today Than In 1999 – Buhari

Nigerians are poorer today than they were in 1999, when Nigeria returned to democracy, the Buahri Campaign Organisation has insisted, describing as irresponsible and unpatriotic the “phantom” economic growth the presidency usually refer to.

“There is no doubt that Nigerians are poorer today than they were in 1999; since then, a lot of factories had closed and millions rendered jobless. The phantom economic growth figures being bandied about by the Jonathan administration are not a true reflection of the harsh economic reality on the ground,” said Osita Okechukwu, in a statement of behalf of the Buhari campaign organisation.

“Buhari remains a man of integrity and uncommon candour; we therefore stand by his statement that our economy is deteriorating in the midst of unprecedented Oil and Gas revenue. Over N4 trillion made annually by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), almost N1 trillion made annually by the Customs Service, minus dubious Custom Waivers and accruals from other federal government agencies.

“May we ask, if the Nigerian economy, ‘has consistently maintained an unprecedented growth rate of 6-7% under the Jonathan administration. They also show that the Nigerian economy is now the leading economy in Africa and the 26th largest in the world with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over $500 billion per annum’; why is there gross unemployment wrecking millions of homes in Nigeria? Why is there crass inequality, a scenario where the greatest number of Nigerians are barely eking out a living? These are phantom economic growth figures,” Okechukwu argued.

Buhari, according to him, is committed to building refineries and employing millions of Nigerians, as well as stop corruption in the oil and gas industry, noting that if he could do it when he was Minister, he can do it again.

“It is on record that Buhari built two refineries as Minister of Petroleum. It is also on record that he did not abuse his office by allocating Oil Block to himself.

“For the avoidance of doubt, contrary to the falsehood of the presidency, Buhari’s manifesto is anchored on the core principles of progressivism and social democracy, which is pro-people; unlike the anti- people programmes, share the money, inchoate and nebulous economic policies of the PDP, which has impoverished greatest majority of the citizenry, ” Okechukwu added.

1 COMMENT

  1. When I read that the N27.5 million naira needed to obtain the nomination form was borrowed by General Buhari, I started to believe that he did not steal while he was in office. I have heard that his hands are clean but I did not believe but I now believe this to be true. I remember when he was the Head of State supported by late Gen. Idiagbon, there was discipline in our society. He introduced queuing up when people are waiting for services. There was law and order in Nigeria. At that time, people felt secure and safe at home, when travelling and in any state of Nigeria. We rarely hear about public officers stealing public funds and escaping punishment as we do nowadays. There was rule of law in Nigeria. Our judiciary was respected! Nigerians were respected wherever they go in our planet! Electricity supply was constant! Our currency was respected worldwide! Naira was worth more than pound sterling! Gen. Buhari was a man of actions not just empty words.