Use First 100 Days To Perfect Strategies On How To Tackle Corruption, Unemployment, Revenue Leakages, NBA Tells Buhari

Augustine Alegeh-SANThe Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to use his first 100 days in office to perfect strategies on how to tackle the problems of infrastructural deficiency, unemployment, insecurity, pervasive corruption, revenue leakages and persistent scarcity of Petroleum products.

The call was contained in a press statement issued by the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country on Friday, shortly after Buhari’s inauguration, which coincides with Democracy Day.

While congratulating President Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, for their successful inauguration, the NBA also thanked former President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat after the presidential election.

“The act of conceding defeat at the Presidential elections even before the official announcement of the election results greatly helped to douse rising tensions in Nigeria and has reserved for him in Nigerian history, a place of honour as a statesman”, the NBA noted.

The legal body, however, decried the inability of the Jonathan administration to pass into Law the Petroleum Industry Bill, the Prisons Reforms Act and the Police (Amendment) Act and several other Justice sector Bills, which it said represented low points for his administration.

The statement, which was signed by the National President of the Association, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN, read: “We celebrate today not just our democracy day but also a change of Government from one Political party to another.

“It is a unique and first time experience and celebration in our democratic experience. It confirms that our democracy is not just growing and developing but it is also maturing.

“We must as a people celebrate our collective success in the peaceful conduct of the 2015 General elections. The massive voter turnout and peaceful conduct of the elections are reflective of our true nature as a peaceful nation.

“The NBA congratulates the victorious candidates at the 2015 General elections and commends other candidates who were not successful at the elections for their offer of service to Nigeria. We trust that the elected candidates appreciate the trust imposed in them and the hope and expectations of the electorate for a better Nigeria where the good of the majority of Nigerians is the guiding principle of Government.

“The NBA commends the outgoing President, HE Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR for the peaceful conduct of the 2015 General Elections which were adjudged largely credible and were reflective of the true wishes of majority of Nigerians.