The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has recently reacted that he “can’t wait to go home to Daura” and “if they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic” has sparked a flurry of reactions from Nigerians.
The comment, which was made during a Sallah homage to him by FCT residents led by the Minister, Mohammed Bello, has been interpreted by many as evidence of the President’s disinterest in the country’s current state of insecurity, economic decline, and widespread corruption.
In recent years, insecurity has continued to ravage different parts of the country, with banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism spreading rampantly. The economy has been in a state of decline for years, with high inflation rates, high unemployment numbers, and lack of basic amenities badly affecting lives and increasing the numbers of those desperate to leave the country for survival and no greener pastures. Corruption, which has been a longstanding problem in the country, shows no signs of abating.It appears that the Niger Republic has received a disproportionate amount of attention and a closer relationship with Nigeria than other African nations during the Buhari administration, going by recent developments.
This is evidenced by the fact that Nigeria, under Buhari’s leadership, launched a $2 billion railway project from Kano State to Maradi in Niger Republic, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Republic for the importation of petroleum products, and expressed a willingness to collaborate on the construction of an oil pipeline and refinery. What with the 12 SUVs gifted to the Niger Republic at the cost of $1.14 billion which the minister of Finance confirmed and said it was for security? So many goodies to Niger Republic from Nigeria under Buhari.
Nigerian major cities, not even the commercial cities are linked by rail network, yet the Buhari administration borrowed $2 billion for the rail line to Maradi in Niger Republic.
Reactions to the President’s comment on relocation to the Niger Republic, if he’s disturbed in Daura, have been varied, with many prominent Nigerians weighing in on the matter. Here are some of the diverse reactions: No hiding place for the wicked by Sowore and among many other reactions
Source: Vanguard News
