The Peoples Democratic Party, the Yoruba socio-political group,
Afenifere, and the African Democratic Congress have backed ex-President
Goodluck Jonathan’s assertion that Nigeria is now a laughing stock in
the international community under the watch of President Buhari.
The
PDP, Afenifere and the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo-backed ADC, in
separate interviews with Punch, said the international perception of
Nigeria had been negative since the assumption of office of President
Buhari.
Jonathan had, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday, said
he was ashamed that Nigeria was being used as a negative example in the
international community.
He cited recent instances where the
Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, mocked the poor state of security
in Nigeria and the naira’s weakening status.
The National
Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiya, also said the
former President’s comment about Nigeria’s reality could not be ignored.
He
said, “This All Progressives Congress-led administration has proved to
be the cog in the wheel of our collective quest for national unity,
cohesion and economic growth.”
Speaking with Punch on Saturday, the Chairman of the ADC, Chief Okey Nwosu, said Jonathan’s statement was accurate.
Nwosu
said even President Buhari had admitted that he was impotent when he
revealed that the Inspector-General of Police flouted a presidential
order to relocate to Benue State and there was no repercussion.
Afenifere,
in its comments by its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, said Jonathan merely
stated the obvious, noting that the nation had degenerated in the past
two years.
He said, “Clearly, the level of violence, barbarism
and killings has made Nigeria a laughing stock by the international
community. A situation where those being killed are asked to go and live
peacefully with their neighbours calls for concern and worry.”