You cheered Obasanjo's letter, but Lai's response is a lie? Your bias is odoriferous.
There are 2 sides to a coin.

Gbam!



Just unfortunate, that the populace have become cynical. Too much hubris, has made even their supporters, weary.

itsdumebi:
@POLITICSNGR

Minister of Information and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress,APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has responded to Ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo's letter to Buhari.

In a statement obtained by PoliticsNGR, Lai Mohammed listed Buhari's achievements and gave reasons for the government's problems. The statement read;

"We have read the press statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the State of the Nation.

For the record, Chief Obasanjo is a patriot, and he has proven this time and time again. We appreciate what he said concerning the Administration's performance in two out of the three key issues that formed the plank of its campaign: Fighting corruption and tackling insurgency. Specifically, the former President said President Buhari must be given credit for his achievement so far in these two areas. We thank him for this.

Apparently, the former President believes that the Administration does not deserve a pass mark in the area of the economy, which is the third of our three-pronged campaign promises.

We have no doubt that in the face of massive challenges in this area, this Administration has availed itself creditably. We believe that Chief Obasanjo, because of his very busy schedule, may not have been fully availed of developments in the government's efforts to revamp the economy, which was battered by the consequences of over-dependence on a commodity as well as unprecedented pillaging of the treasury.

Today, most of the indices by which an economy is measured are looking up. Permit me to say, however, that Nigeria would not have exited recession through a mere order or if the Administration had not made use of ''good Nigerians'' who could help.

This Administration is making steady progress in its determined effort to revamp the economy, and the results are showing:

* Foreign Reserves have peaked at $40b, the highest level in about four years, and up from $24 billion just a year ago, even though when we came in, the price of oil had crashed woefully.

* According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBC), headline inflation has fallen for 11 consecutive months, standing at 15.37% as at Dec. 2017. This is the lowest inflation rate since Jan 2017, and it has met and surpassed the target set for inflation in the Administration's Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

* Our determined implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has stopped the hemorrhaging of the treasury. Some 108 billion Naira has been saved from removal of maintenance fees payable to banks, pre-TSA. The nation is being saved 24.7 billion Naira monthly with the full implementation of the TSA.

* The elimination of ghost workers has saved the nation 120 billion Naira

* At about 1.8 billion dollars, the capital inflows in the second quarter of 2017 were almost double the $908 million in the first quarter.

* In the wake of a stable Naira and increased investment inflows, Nigeria’s stock market emerged one of the best-performing in the world, delivering returns in excess of 40 percent.

* Nigeria rose 24 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, and earned a place on the List of Top 10 Reformers in the world.

* According to Q3 2017 figures, agriculture export is up year-on-year by 25%, solid minerals exports are up year-on-year by 78%, raw materials exports are up 70% year-on-year and manufactured goods exports are up 22% year-on-year.

* Government agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service are reporting highest-ever revenue collection, while JAMB, under the new management appointed by President Buhari in 2016, remitted N7.8 billion to the coffers of the federal government.

The total amount remitted by JAMB between 2010 and 2016 was a paltry N51 million!
These positive indices may not have immediately impacted positively on Nigerians, but Nigerians will definitely get a new lease of life a short while from now. This is because the good news from the agricultural sector, which is recording a bumper harvest, will bring down the cost of foodstuffs, especially such staple as rice, and our massive Social Investment Programme will ease the pain of the most vulnerable in the society.

When we assumed office in 2015, some 6 million farmers were involved in rice production. Thanks to the Anchor Borrowers' programme of this Administration, we have grown that number to over 12 million farmers. The result is that our rice import from Thailand alone has dropped from 644 metric tonnes to 22,000 MT in just two years. This is phenomenal.

Apart from rice, Nigeria is also doing well in other grains,
especially Millet, Sorghum and Maize. We are now the second largest producer of sorghum after the US, the third in millet after India and our breweries are now enjoying local sourcing of those commodities.

For maize, we are producing 10 million tons while we need about 13 million tons for both human and animal nutrition. Nigeria leads the world in the yam and cassava production. We account for 70% of the world's yam production. In two years, we hope to be the world's largest exporter of yam! Overall, our ambition is that agriculture should rise from 25% to 40% of GDP, so that we can banish poverty and overcome our economic anxiety.

Our Social Investment Programme is Nigeria’s most ambitious social welfare programme ever. Currently, 5.2 million primary school children in 28,249 schools in 19 states are being fed daily; 200,000 unemployed graduates have enlisted into the N-power Job Scheme, and a quarter of a million loans already distributed to artisans, traders, and farmers.

Finally, our investment in infrastructure is simply unprecedented. This is because infrastructure is key to faster economic growth and development.

Here is a synopsis of what we have done in this area:
* Power Generation at an all-time high of 7,000mw and all can be transmitted

* RAIL: Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge is on. Lagos-Ibadan sector ready 2019, Kano-Kaduna ready 2019; The entire stretch ready 2021; Negotiations on for Coastal Rail covering 15 cities from Lagos to Calabar.

* ROAD: 25 major highways being funded with the N100b Sukuk Bond, and all geo-political zones are benefitting equally

This Administration is not unaware of the enormity of the challenges facing the nation, but we are up to the task. We have taken the bull by the horns, and long-suffering Nigerians will begin to experience a new lease of life as our efforts yield fruits. We will not go into a state of funk for whatever reason.

On the Herders/Farmers' clashes, this Administration is determined to end the crisis resulting from this once and for all, not minding the fact that the clashes predate us. we urge Nigerians to have faith in the Administration's ability to resolve the crisis, and to watch out for concrete measures in this regard.

On whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari should run for another term, it is true that many Nigerians have been calling on the President to run again, while others are opposed to his return. However, we believe this issue is a distraction for the President at this time. This is because Mr. President spends every waking hour tackling the enormous challenges facing the nation, most of which were bequeathed to his Administration by successive past Administrations. He is committed to fulfilling the mandate given to him by Nigerians in 2015. And that's where we are right now!

Finally, we have no reason to believe that former President Obasanjo has any motive beyond the well-being of the nation in issuing his Special Press Statement. We have also taken his admonition in good faith, and we thank him most sincerely for taking time off his busy schedule to pen such a long statement.

https://politicsngr.com/just-in-lai-mohammed-replies-obasanjo-over-letter-to-buhari/

The terrorism of the fulanis which has been left unchecked and silently encouraged by the bigot in chief has put a dampener on the so called good thing this administration has done.

NextGovernor:
I gat no time to read all these lies and nonsense from a patriotic liar.

unpatriotic liar you mean?

Lies run in his blood.

una take us to reccession oooh

Lai Mohammed had to step in to show his skills.. "Lying" . but leme burst his bubble, all the statistics that doesn't translate to better welfare for the masses is a scam. How does all the lie he has told translate to garri and soup in the house of every Nigerian? God will punish Buhari and his team for deceiving us and impoverishing the people of nigeria. It shall not be well with lai Mohammed and his family for giving us such trash instead of resigning from the government of propaganda and lies. I spit on ur grave u bastard .

12inches1:


It's not too difficult for an analytical mind to spot all the half-truths in the so-called achievements.

My brother, Buhari's matter has taught many of us a great lesson not to put any hope in the ability of our people to spot lies.

Do you know that people believe Buhari was going to sell fuel at 30 naira per litre?

Can you imagine highly respected people in the society - professors of many years standing - put their hope in 30 naira a litre fuel under Buhari?

dodelight:
Imagine one of the achievements of these morons being Jamb making such a huge money: extorting the masses and making education unaffordable for the impoverished Nigerians. Thank God for Baba's letter. Anyways, Buhari men must encourage him to contest. He's destined to be disgraced out of power so he won't have to threaten our nation again.

The JAMB matter was the first acidic lie that caught my fancy

jorez:
Guy abeg go sleep,do you need to quote any fact and figure,u blind to see that those figures have no realistic impact on the citizenry before you fault it.mtchewww!

So you think because you are looking for immediate gratification; that is the problem of Nigerians - "Immediacy".

It takes time for a battered economy to become a buoyant one. The key thing is to reverse the trend. This administration has done excellent well in reversing the trend. This is recognised globally by all indices.

princejenks:
In concluding the statement,he still alluded to buck passing the administration has come to be associated with and which obj highlighted as weakness,he couldn't just resist the urge,quite typical. Well,let me say a thing or two here,the economy seems to be having some lease of life for the simple reason that we are now earning more foreign exchange,thanks to russia and opec agreeing to stem the plummeting price of crude last year. On the investment inflows,it's mostly about portfolio investors who returned with funds they'd earlier taken away at the onset of recession. On increase in local rice production,well,I can only speak about where I am,I've not seen a drastic reduction cos the difference between a modul of local rice and foreign rice is just 50 naira,maybe it costs less in some northern states producing rice in large amounts but the reduction in price hasn't been really felt in other non producing areas. Secondly,if the herders and farmers clashes aren't curbed in benue and elsewhere,it'll slow down whatever gains has been achieved so far in the agric sector and lead to food crisis in no distant time. The other achievements mentioned aren't that significant,inflation and job creation for example,also with all the mop up from tsa and increased revenues from non oil sources,why are we still borrowing to finance the deficit in the budget? The other day,we were told a particular government agency or is it parastatal made 4 trillion naira in 2017 in revenue,where's the money?

Well nice points (negative) made. However, I'm surprise you are very quick to use the same measures to hang the buhari administration YOU DON'T want them to use on previous administrations.

you have successful blame this administration for everything bad happening. But in a surprising twist, you have also DENY them of any responsibility with any good happening at the moment - to you, what ever achievement made where due to external factors beyond the administration's control.

cut them some slack abeg!

This is the Kind of reply that only people of learning can produced. I really liked the tone and purpose of the reply, thumbs up to Lair Muhammed for successfully seeing through the Bait Letter for all that it is.

I actually read through OBJs letter carefully and I totally share his worries as do many other Nigerians. I thought the letter was Fair.

The Major down vote for Buhari for me is the Killings happening to people all over the country and their approach to it. I totally believe Buhari is not 100 percent committed to ending the farmers-herdsmen's clashes because of sentiments towards the perpetrators. majority of Nigerians are tribalist, Buhari is no exception. But a line must be drawn when some people think they can take the life of others unopposed.

Last Bullet:

The comments (most) above reeks OF insensibility! listen to other Nation's citizens discuss and compare with here, it is easy to understand why we have the kind of leaders that we do.

OUR LEADERS CAN'T BE ANY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE THE FOLLOWERS ARE. Nigeria is not quite ready for THE RIGHT LEADER YET.

NOC1:
My annoyance is that people who did not read the article are the first to comment.

I love the way Lai Mohammed handled it, so calm and matured.
The problem I have with PMB is lack of Empathy and nepotism.

On Economy with what was on ground when he took over, I never expected much I knew it is going to be a tough one. Like Mr Mohammed rightly said, it only take a serious government to pull out of recession in one year. Some countries that went into recession with us are still there. Eg. Venezuela, South Africa etc.

If I was Buhari I won't recontest based on health ground but the decision is his.

Nice write up!. I think he should contest with right people surrounding him.

GoodGovernance:
''* Power Generation at an all-time high of 7,000mw and all can be transmitted''

The problem is that this government and people like you just vomit figures anyhow

The better statement would have been that Nigerians in the pass one month have been enjoying at least 18 hours of light

That's the kind of statement Nigerians can relate with not vague figures

Nigeria is the only country where one receives handsome amount of salary for telling lies monthly. Ogar vacancy dey?

this reply is beautiful,matured and devoid of any form of vituperations.

mrvitalis:

Sure me a place he said he 'would create ' 1 thousand job from masquerade and get 100k from me

Make 'can ' and will means same thing in your village

All of you that read statement and can't even comprehend are here talking trash

Can you fault anything he said ? Which is a lie ?

Actually what he said was 100 people to dress and 100 to UnCloth

BabaAduras:


So you think because you are looking for immediate gratification; that is the problem of Nigerians - "Immediacy".

It takes time for a battered economy to become a buoyant one. The key thing is to reverse the trecellent well in reversing the trend. This is recognised globally by all indices.

Exactly!

Even @N305 to the dollar(official), when oil price had crashed by has much as 70%,even now at just $68PB,the economy is still on a better footing.



Simple economics 101:

If Dollar is N199 at oil price of $114 per barrel

What exchange rate do you expect at oil price of $68PB? where forex revenue from oil, constitute about 95%?

Ceteris Paribus.


Solution:

114 x 199 X 95/100 = N316
-----
68


This extrapolation cannot be understood by quacks




Worst still.those comparing the value of naira when oil price was $114(Jonathan era) and now, must be ''quackers''

AdeniyiA:
This govt has turned a joke. All Lai Mohammed listed above have had no significant effect on the populace..

He said something to that effect.

Read again.

Truth is bitter.

When in School, after examinations, if I have doubts about my results (facts/figures), I request for a remark so I can see how the results were arrived at. Can Uncle Minister or any concerned fellow please show to the world how this facts/figures came about without any significant impact on the citizenry. The campaign strategy was built on this same facts/figure theory, shouldn't we pause and wonder a little.

NOC1:
My annoyance is that people who did not read the article are the first to comment.

I love the way Lai Mohammed handled it, so calm and matured.
The problem I have with PMB is lack of Empathy and nepotism.

On Economy with what was on ground when he took over, I never expected much I knew it is going to be a tough one. Like Mr Mohammed rightly said, it only take a serious government to pull out of recession in one year. Some countries that went into recession with us are still there. Eg. Venezuela, South Africa etc.

If I was Buhari I won't recontest based on health ground but the decision is his.

we came out of recession because oil prices picked up. its almost 70$ a barrel now. if oil prices tank today, our economy goes with it. There was no special intervention by the government

NOC1:
My annoyance is that people who did not read the article are the first to comment.

I love the way Lai Mohammed handled it, so calm and matured.
The problem I have with PMB is lack of Empathy and nepotism.

On Economy with what was on ground when he took over, I never expected much I knew it is going to be a tough one. Like Mr Mohammed rightly said, it only take a serious government to pull out of recession in one year. Some countries that went into recession with us are still there. Eg. Venezuela, South Africa etc.

If I was Buhari I won't recontest based on health ground but the decision is his.

yes u are right, lai Mohammed displayed professionalism.maybe adesina or lauretta would have handled it differently. Regarding buharis attributes, u forgot 2 add that buhari is incompetent & dishonest. U talked about recession. who put Nigeria in recession in d first?how should cleaning ur yansh&packing ur shit b called achievement?

so this man still dey alive.whenever this man talk devil self dey fear.

iamJ:
they shouldnt have used this man, he lacks credibility


its beta to just ignore obasanjo, if obasanjo meant well he would have talked to buhari in private

obj contributed 70% of problems we're facing today. Where's is the billions of dollars he spent on electricity, he left prison as a bankrupt person and now hes a billionaire. Iyabo obasanjo was a wanted criminal by efcc but he kept her in his house. ota farm is one of the best in Nigeria how come, he should come out openly to explain to us how Abacha loot was spent and lots more

Mind the name you give ur kids

God bless you for taking your time to respond in an intelligent manner. We are lucky to have you sir as our information minister. I am proud of you and I believe. You that things will get better for the hard working Nigerians not the gullible theives that don't ve access to free money like b4

I think I can read long episode coming from any party or nongovernmental office holder but if it Lai or APC pls count me out. wot am I saying? sum1 should summarize it for me

Very matured reply. No insult and factual and verifiable too.

Trump calling Africa a shithole was one of the major contributory factor in making OBJ to write this letter. Because as Nigeria goes so does Africa.

These guys are so shameless and incorrigible... I just can't imagine that Osinbanjo is part if this clueless and ridiculous team.