President Muhammadu Buhari during an exclusive interview on Friday with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), monitored by candidreporters.com spoke on key issues facing the country’s existence.
While answering questions fed on insecurity in the country, president Buhari said those financing terrorism in the country are seeking relevance, hence they are using their resources to show off.
In his words: “Their motive is that they are made relevant and they want to use their resources they accumulated over the years to prove that they are still around.This administration will deal with them. Anybody caught will be dealt with.”
On economy, Buhari expressed displeasure on the performance of Nigeria’s economy.
He added that his administration is working to increase foreign direct investments in Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to take up Agriculture in a bid to boost the economy.
“I am not satisfied (with the economy). That’s why I’m trying to make sure we persuade foreign countries to allow their multinationals to develop more confidence in Nigeria and come and invest.
“We need people to go back to the farm, there are people leaving their air conditioned office and going back to the farm and this has helped us as a country.” Bihari said.
As regards the question on his administrative performance, the president said “those observing the work done so far by his administration, will know that there had been improvements in roads, rails, power and so on since he assumed power in 2015”.
Buhari also called on the Nigerian elites to be patient and fair to his administration. He said that time was needed for the efforts put in place by his administration to secure the country to start yielding visible results.
Speaking on the effect of #EndSARS protest in Lagos transport system which got buses burnt, following the incident, Sanwo-Olu had paid a visit to Buhari with a photo album of the destruction recorded in the state during the protests. In reaction to that, Buhari said “Look at the #EndSARS incident in Lagos. The previous governor of Lagos state bought 200 buses to complement the transportation in Lagos. And he built a complex. But they went and burnt them.
“The present governor made an album and came to see me. I said ‘Thank you very much’. I took the album, put it in my archives and I told him to tell the Lagosians to walk, because we don’t have the money.
“After an administration bought over 200 buses, for some people to come and burn it? So, let them walk.”
On security, he revealed that the delay in the delivery of aircraft, tanks and other military hardware ordered from foreign countries by the federal government, was hampering the administration efforts to address insecurity and insurgency.
The president however faulted the insinuations in some quarters that he was pampering bandits and terrorists while dealing with agitators ruthlessly.
While describing the accusation as unfair, the President said he was also treating bandits and insurgents in the “language they understand.”
He also emphasized that “number one thing is security.If you don’t secure the country, people will not invest.
“That was why those who organised the EndSARS, I sent all the Minsters back to their constituencies, constitutionally the ministers represent their state, I said they should go to their state. Let them speak to the governors, political leaders, traditional leaders and very importantly let them speak to the youths,” Buhari said.
Buhari accused Nigerians of been forgetful considering that persons accused of corrupt practices still win elections.
In his words: “Nigerians, I think, are very forgetful. I’m very pleased that the majority of Nigerians think that this administration, under the circumstances, are doing their best. But people who misappropriated funds, a lot of them were elected members whether at the state or federal level. And their base still values them.
“You can accuse them or even try to prove that when they were elected or in ministries, that they had only one house, but now they have several in Abuja or Lagos. Really, if you try to work out their legitimate salaries, vis-à-vis their expenditure, you will be embarrassed.” Buhari said.
The president stressed the need for the establishment of special courts to try corruption cases in Nigeria.
His words: “You have instances of cases lasting for as long as 10 years before they are determined and in some cases judges handling the cases may die. But if there are special courts, there will be a time frame to conclude the corruption cases and not dragging on unnecessarily”.
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