Many socio-cultural groups on Friday lashed out at President Muhammadu
Buhari over his alleged request that the World Bank should focus on the
Northern part of Nigerian.
They described the request as proof that Buhari’s government is all about favouritism and tribalism.
We are not surprised – IYC
The Ijaw Youth Council said the group was not surprised by the statement credited to the World Bank President.
IYC President, Mr. Eric Omare, told Punch that the President had
succeeded in running a government of the North, by the North and for the
North, describing Buhari’s action as “unpresidential.”
“I think for us, it did not come as a surprise. Before now, Buhari has
said that there are some people that gave him 97 per cent votes, while
there are others who gave him five per cent; and that those that gave
him five per cent would not get the same attention that those that gave
him 97 per cent of votes would get.
He insisted it is wrong for the President of Nigeria to surround himself with people from his village.
Revelation proves Buhari is a sectional leader – Fayose
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, also said that he was not
surprised by the comment from the President of the World Bank.
He said, “The President has never hidden the fact that he is a sectional
leader and painfully, because of his nepotism, religious bigotry and
favouritism, Nigeria is now more divided than ever before, with the
unity of the country being threatened.”
He said, “Now, with Jim Yong Kim telling the world that President Buhari
gave specific instructions that the bank should shift its developmental
efforts to the North, is anyone still in doubt that President Buhari
does not see himself as the President of the entire country, Nigeria?”
Reminding Nigerians of his earlier warnings that Buhari was a sectional
leader, Fayose said that as a Military Head of State, Buhari cancelled
the Lagos Metroline Project at a huge loss to taxpayers.
He said, “Would Buhari have stopped that project that would have
resolved the transportation nightmare in Lagos if it were to be in
Kano?”
Nigerians deserve better explanation from Presidency — Afenifere
The National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba sociocultural
organisation, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said it was unfortunate such a
statement credited to the President came out at a time when the unity of
the country had become so fragile and there was so much distrust in the
land.
He also faulted the statement released by the presidency.
He said, “It’s not acceptable and I think Nigerians deserve a better
explanation from the Presidency on what happened, rather than insulting
and abusing them the way it has done. It’s not helpful and it’s not very
thoughtful.
“However, that statement goes to the foundation of the country; it
throws a dagger to the heart of Nigerian unity and I think that at the
slightest opportunity, the President should address the nation on this
matter; not spokespersons or aides talking to us.”
Nigerians citizens react
Across social media platforms, many Nigerians slammed President Buhari
for the instruction he had allegedly given to the World Bank.
A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Mr. Reno
Omokri, said Buhari’s pro-North comment had proved his (Omokri’s)
long-term stance that he is a sectional leader.
He wrote via his Twitter handle: “For years, I’ve been saying President
@MBuhari is a sectional leader and I thank God the President of the
World Bank has vindicated me.”
disappointed in Buhari. What a shame! Meaning that he’s there [only]
for the northerners?
“This is the reason, amidst others, why we need to restructure this country politically and economically.”
