Balarabe Musa, a former governor of old Kaduna state and Prof. Tam David-West, a former petroleum resources minister are in disagreement over the ability of President Muhammadu Buhari to govern the country.
Both men spoke in an interview with Daily Sun on Monday evening.
According to Musa, a former presidential candidate of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Buhari’s administration was using the falling crude oil prices at the international market as a cover up for its inefficiency and lack of direction on how to address the nation’s socio-economic problems.
“We have to be honest to ourselves; this government has spent over seven months yet, there is no convincing economic blueprint on ground on how we can reinvent our economy. It is showing very well that it lacks ideas; it cannot cope with our severe economic challenges.
“To tell you that this government lacks idea about the economy, it knew that the price of oil was at $38 at the time it was preparing the budget, it pegged the benchmark at $35 instead of $28. Look at the foreign exchange mess we have been into. Government does not know how to handle the situation,” he said.
Musa asked Nigerians to set sentiments aside, challenging them to get ready for the worst economic situation in months to come.
He explained that he was fully in support of Buhari’s war against corruption but that it had to be genuine. “He has to take the battle to everybody who is believed to have stolen public funds, irrespective of the party he belongs to,” he added.
Musa noted that former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration left a legacy of rot which was why Nigerians voted Buhari to clean up the mess and not to increase hardship in the country.
On his part, David-West described Musa’s claim as nonsense, saying what is happening at the international market regarding crude oil price is a global issue and there was no basis for criticizing the president.
He said though there is genuine reason to be concerned about the falling oil price, Buhari’s administration has handled the development very well.
“What Balarabe Musa is saying is nonsense. Buhari is sincere and he is the only one good enough to lead Nigeria at a time like the one we have at hand,” David-West stated.
He therefore, advised the government to diversify the economy as crude oil price continues to fall, while calling on Nigerians to support President Buhari.
The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie recently faulted Buhari over his disdain for judicial authorities while millions of Nigerians are abandoned to face unimaginable social problems. He wondered why tax payers money must be used to feed Buhari and his family and also buy brand new exotic vehicles for the legislature, judges, ministers and governors.
Both men spoke in an interview with Daily Sun on Monday evening.
According to Musa, a former presidential candidate of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Buhari’s administration was using the falling crude oil prices at the international market as a cover up for its inefficiency and lack of direction on how to address the nation’s socio-economic problems.
“We have to be honest to ourselves; this government has spent over seven months yet, there is no convincing economic blueprint on ground on how we can reinvent our economy. It is showing very well that it lacks ideas; it cannot cope with our severe economic challenges.
“To tell you that this government lacks idea about the economy, it knew that the price of oil was at $38 at the time it was preparing the budget, it pegged the benchmark at $35 instead of $28. Look at the foreign exchange mess we have been into. Government does not know how to handle the situation,” he said.
Musa asked Nigerians to set sentiments aside, challenging them to get ready for the worst economic situation in months to come.
He explained that he was fully in support of Buhari’s war against corruption but that it had to be genuine. “He has to take the battle to everybody who is believed to have stolen public funds, irrespective of the party he belongs to,” he added.
Musa noted that former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration left a legacy of rot which was why Nigerians voted Buhari to clean up the mess and not to increase hardship in the country.
On his part, David-West described Musa’s claim as nonsense, saying what is happening at the international market regarding crude oil price is a global issue and there was no basis for criticizing the president.
He said though there is genuine reason to be concerned about the falling oil price, Buhari’s administration has handled the development very well.
“What Balarabe Musa is saying is nonsense. Buhari is sincere and he is the only one good enough to lead Nigeria at a time like the one we have at hand,” David-West stated.
He therefore, advised the government to diversify the economy as crude oil price continues to fall, while calling on Nigerians to support President Buhari.
The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie recently faulted Buhari over his disdain for judicial authorities while millions of Nigerians are abandoned to face unimaginable social problems. He wondered why tax payers money must be used to feed Buhari and his family and also buy brand new exotic vehicles for the legislature, judges, ministers and governors.
