By John Audu, Abuja.
In a pointed response to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent claims of improved security and economic conditions during his administration, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Josef Onoh has described Buhari’s eight years in office as marked by “monumental corruption and insecurity.”
Onoh issued his statement on Friday, directly addressing Buhari’s assertion that he inherited a struggling economy and security issues from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which governed for 16 years prior. While Buhari contends that his government successfully implemented strategies to combat terrorism and economic hardships, Onoh strongly disagrees.
According to Onoh, Nigeria faced an economic collapse, rampant corruption, and escalating insecurity under Buhari’s leadership. He contends that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is grappling with the consequences of Buhari’s mismanagement.
“Nigerians today accuse Tinubu’s administration of being the worst they have encountered, not realizing that the President chose to remain silent and bear the burden alone,” Onoh stated. “He continues to navigate the economic minefields left behind by the Buhari administration.”
Onoh highlighted alarming statistics regarding violence in Nigeria, noting that the number of fatalities rose dramatically during Buhari’s presidency. “Upon your assumption of office on May 29, 2015, the cumulative death toll in Nigeria was 34,972. By May 16, 2023, that number had surged to 98,083,” he said, underscoring the gravity of the security crisis.
He added that under Buhari’s leadership, Nigeria ranked poorly on the Global Terrorism Index and the Global Peace Index, further illustrating the severity of the situation. In 2019, Nigeria was ranked third highest in terrorism globally, trailing only Afghanistan and Iraq.
Onoh also criticized Buhari’s handling of ethnic and religious diversity, pointing out that violence and reprisal attacks escalated during his term. He credited Tinubu’s administration for bringing relative peace to regions previously plagued by unrest, such as southern Kaduna.
“The insensitivity and ineffectiveness of your security chiefs contributed significantly to the spread of insecurity, allowing non-state actors to operate with impunity,” Onoh commented. He argued that Buhari’s failure to create a secure environment stifled foreign direct investment, adversely affecting the country’s economy.
He cited the abandonment of significant markets, such as the Baga fish market near Lake Chad, as a direct consequence of the Boko Haram insurgency, which thrived during Buhari’s administration.
Onoh concluded with a scathing remark on Buhari’s legacy, suggesting that the former president’s tenure is remembered for corruption and nepotism rather than tangible economic achievements. He asserted, “Your administration introduced ‘Ranka ya Dede Nepotism,’ and today it’s ‘Emiloka,’ highlighting the pervasive issues of insecurity and corruption that characterized your eight years in office.”
As the dialogue surrounding Buhari’s legacy continues, Onoh’s comments reflect a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction with the former administration’s handling of critical issues facing Nigeria.
