@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/

This one whose legacy is etched in quicksand. Buhari needs to fire this guy if he really wants to make a point. We are still expecting the 1000 jobs from 1 masquerade. This dude played a huge role in making sure Nigerians hate Buhari and his epileptic Government. An old man who lies like a child.


http://www.mortalpoet.com/things-learn-change-government/

Lie has lied again... That's his job!

lie Muhammad and apc? make I go do better things for my life. if u remain in this thread, lie will finish u with lies.

Get your PVC people and save Nigeria

before we vote next time we must ask questions! who is he ? where has he served? what has he done? etc

Ok

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

Beautiful reply

Now let's wait for those that will twist some parts of this statement n fabricate "sensational" headlines that look like quarrel

Nonsense

Ehen!!! what's this man name again? Liar or lie Muhammed. Buharimustnotcontest2019

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.

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

Instead of heeding the advise of Obasanjo and start helping Buhari to pack his bag in preparation for his return Journey to Daura with what's left of Buharis dignity the evil regressive govt would rather reply Obasanjos truth with a barrage of the same lies and mirage they are used to telling Nigerians when we advise them to improve. It is now clear that the Buhari govt choses to immerse itself in the streams of self deceit instead of embracing advice from well meaning Nigerians by reeling out these false statistics from another realm which is obviously not Nigeria in a manner reminiscent of Bipolarity , is the govt of Buhari bipolar? Because we don't know this Nigeria where they claim to have achieved all these lies of imaginary achievements they spew .. Buhari came to power on a barrage of lies and has be misgoverning on a barrage of lies and blood so no surprises that they have once again chosen their barrage of lies as the pivot on which they want Buhari to recontest but than God today Nigerinas are wiser and we will make sure they don't miss the bus to Daura come 2019 .

Very mature and largely factful reply. It shows they've learned lessons from Jonathan who didn't handle his own Obasanjo's bait letter well, which led to an all-out, unprepared-for battle against him.

I didn't bother to read this. Once Lai mohammed is involved, I know what to expect

Believe Lia Mohamed at ur own peril

Sapiosexuality:
This one whose legacy is etched in quicksand. Buhari needs to fire this guy if he really want to make a point. We are still expecting the 1000 jobs from 1 masquerade. This dude played a huge role in making sure Nigerians hate Buhari and his epileptic Government. An old man who lies like a child.

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 ?

I know what you're expecting from presidency before .you thought they will react to the letter negatively like that stupid abati did.

Sapiosexuality:
This one whose legacy is etched in quicksand. Buhari needs to fire this guy if he really want to make a point. We are still expecting the 1000 jobs from 1 masquerade. This dude played a huge role in making sure Nigerians hate Buhari and his epileptic Government. An old man who lies like a child.

The liar has something to lie about again

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

The oga pata-pata of zombies has spoken

Mr lie Mohammed always giving us blind statistics. Enough is enough. Whether your boss likes it or not, Nigerians have decided

#backtodaura2019

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

,
Obasanjo is so busy he did not notice our economy is booming. Lier Mohammed sure have a PhD. in lies.

Anyway the achievements he listed on behalf of this administration were all Jonathan initiatives.
From TSA to improvements in rail and Agriculture.

WHO IS THE PRESIDENCY

just like boko haram issue sent oga Jona packing, herdsmen issue one of the major problem nigerians are facing, will send buhari back to daura.






Goodbye in advance. Nigeria loves you., but daura love you most.

They know the party publicity secretary can't handle the lies, the simply gave it to the legendary lair....


Corruption fight is one sided, no single prosecution since the beginning of this administration. EFCC are quick to arrest opposition member suspected of being corrupt, but investigation committee are always set up when it involves the ruling party.

SECURITY: They know themselves there has been no improvement, in fact more sects are now carrying arms and killing innocent souls e.g Fulani Herdsmen. I remember PMB quote in 2015 "During my administration, people will go to bed without worrying about security". But today, reverse is the case...

ECONOMY: Nothing to even say here, no administration is worse than APC in this aspect. They keep saying "they met low crude oil price", still we are buying same crude oil at higher price than when the price was high...

hello people, did u guys noticed this? did u noticed Alhaji Lai the liar treated obasanjo issue with decorum and respect?


truly, devil know him mate!

Thrash, make he no contest simple

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 ?

Interesting. We are now on semantics? Whether can or will, how is it illogical to expect it where a reasonable government identified it?

Lipscomb:
I know what you're expecting from presidency before .you thought they will react to the letter negatively like that stupid abati did.

Wow! Reacting to one's reaction of the reaction of a statement and advising one not to react to the reaction of the statement. How prudent! How is this reaction even positive to you?

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.