There Would’ve Been No Economy Had PDP Won 2015 Presidential Polls – Lai Mohammed

Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as President in 2015 saved Nigeria’s economy from imminent collapse due to mismanagement and unbridled corruption under the former administration.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this in Kano on Friday during a visit to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
President Buhari took over on May 29, 2015 from ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, whose administration has been alleged, based on continuing discoveries by the anti-graft agencies, to have mismanaged the country’s resources and turned a blind eye to massive looting of the treasury.
The minister, who spoke ahead of the commencement of the Hausa language town hall meeting in Kano, said the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, is a testament of God’s love for Nigeria.
“…if any other political party had won the election, there would have been no economy to talk about. They wouldn’t have the courage or discipline to manage the economy”, Mr. Mohammed said.
He noted that through prudent management of resources and the introduction of creative ideas to block leakages in governance, President Buhari was gradually turning around the fortunes of the economy.
He, therefore, assured Nigerians that there was indeed light at the end of the tunnel.
“This government more than any government, has been working very hard because this is one government that genuinely believes in the people.
“It is one government that really cares for the poorest of the poor.
“For the first time, we have a president whose integrity is actually driving the country”, he said.
Mohammed, who appealed to Nigerians to continue to exercise patience as the change the voted for would gradually materialize, stressed that the past one year had been spent in laying a solid foundation for the country.
The minister described the Kano town hall meeting as unique because the medium of communication is an indigenous language.
He said the idea of the town hall meetings was to communicate directly with the people and also feel their pulse on government policies and programmes.
“The idea of the town hall meeting came when we realized that our message was not getting down to the people.
“When we issue a press release or we have a press conference, it is so watered down, it’s sifted and everybody takes his story from his or her own angle.
“So we decided that it’s better we address the people directly”, he said.
In his response, Governor Ganduje said the town hall meeting initiative of the Federal Government would correct mis-information, rumour mongering and wrong perception of the Buhari administration.
“If there is no adequate communication, many issues will flourish: misinformation, distorted information, rumour mongering, suspicion and ignorance.
“But with this programme, I believe people will be more educated and enlightened”, he said.
He noted that during the electioneering process, it was not only the APC card carrying members that promoted the party and the candidature of Mr. Buhari, adding what happened was convergence of interest, commitment to nationhood and dissatisfaction with what was happening in the country.
Mr. Ganduje stressed that the town hall meeting would go a long way in satisfying the aspirations of the convergents that came together to bring Buhari to power.
He also hailed the initiative of using indigenous language for the town hall meetings, and for choosing Kano for the maiden edition.
Other ministers at the event were Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; and Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Bawa Bwari.
Also at the event were Ministers of State, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar and the Director-General National Orientation Agency, Garba Abati. (NAN)