Former President, Shehu Shagari on Monday, January 19, 2015 spoke up for the first time on the issue of the current presidential politicking, stating categorically that former Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari who overthrew his democratic government in 1983 was a failure during his time as Head of State.
Shagari, speaking during an interview with African Independent Television (AIT) in Sokoto went on to shower praises on incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan for the grand achievements of his administration.
He said, he could point to a number of projects completed or started by President Jonathan, but could not do the same for Buhari’s tenure as Head of State between 193 and 1985, saying the APC candidate has no developmental antecedence.
In Shagari’s words said: “Now I may ask Nigerians, what are Buhari’s developmental strides as Nigeria’s head of state for the period in question?” Your answer is as good as mine, NONE for his whole time in office. Jonathan may not be the best, but I can mention three to four breakthroughs in Nigeria that occurred under his five years in office.”
Shagari said President Jonathan had performed considerably well for bringing back the railway system of transportation – something his 27-year old grabdchild boarded for the first time in 2014 -; the 125 Almajiri schools constructed by the current administration, building of 12 universities within a short period of time, the diversification of the economy, resurrection of the agricultural sector and the tackling of ghost workers in the civil service.
Read a full text of the interview below:
“Jonathan may not be the best, but I can mention three to four breakthroughs in Nigeria that occurred under his five years in office.
“Under Jonathan’s administration, the trains are back in Nigeria after about 30 years of neglect. In fact, my 27 years old grandchild boarded train for the first time in his life in 2014.
“His (Jonathan) administration is the first government to construct over 125 modern Almajiri Schools and 12 universities in a short frame of time.
“He is also the first Nigerian leader to construct cargo airports and ensure all zones in Nigeria have an international airport.
“And the very first government to start diversifying Nigerian economy back to agriculture after Nigeria lost its agricultural glory in the 70s.
“Now, I may ask Nigerians, what are Buhari’s developmental strides as Nigerian Head of State?” Your answer is as good as mine, NONE for his whole time in office.
Incidentally Shagari’s assessment came as President Jonathan visited Sokoto as part of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential campaign tour.
The President while addressing the mammoth crowd said the electioneering period was not a period to promote violence but to join hands to ensure a peaceful conduct of the elections in the country’sinterest.
President Jonathan said: “I want to use this opportunity to plead with my fellow politicians, especially the younger ones, that we must not fight ourselves. As I came in, the Sultan of Sokoto told me about some aggressions between some rival political parties even in Sokoto State, where you will put billboards and people will go and damage it; you put posters and people will destroy it. It is not a good omen; this is what led to the collapse of other republics. Politicians must work together to make sure that we develop our young people, the future belongs to the young people.
