North-east has always been Buhari’s priority, says presidency
The presidency says north-east has been the priority of President Muhammadu Buhari even before he got into the highest office in the land.
The statement follows reactions to the comment of Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank, that Buhari requested the organisation to focus development on the north.
Many, especially on social media, had accused the president of promoting the interest of the north.
But reacting in a series of tweets, the presidency said from the beginning of his administration, Buhari had been consistent in his demand that the north-east, ravaged by insurgency, be rebuilt and reconstructed.
“Northeast Nigeria has always been a priority for President @MBuhari, right from when he campaigned to be President,” the presidency tweeted.
“From the start of the administration, President Buhari has consistently highlighted the need for Int’l support to secure & rebuild the N/East.
“The north-east has featured prominently in all of the President’s engagements with the International Community.
“Securing the north-east & Rebuilding it, and seeking International support & assistance for this, will continue to be a priority for us.
“We remain grateful for the show of support from the international community, regarding the security & humanitarian situation in the N/East.”
1/ Northeast Nigeria has always been a priority for President @MBuhari, right from when he campaigned to be President.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 13, 2017
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2/ From the start of the Administration,Pres @MBuhari has consistently highlighted the need for Int’l support to secure & rebuild the N/East
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 13, 2017
3/ The Northeast has featured prominently in all of the President’s engagements with the International Community.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 13, 2017
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5/ Securing the Northeast & Rebuilding it, and seeking International support & assistance for this, will continue to be a priority for us.
Advertisement— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 13, 2017
6/ We remain grateful for the show of support from the international community,regarding the security & humanitarian situation in the N/East
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 13, 2017
TheCable had earlier called Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina for reactions to the statement but they refused to speak. While Shehu said he had been out of town and not in the “loop of things”, Adesina simply said: “no comment”.
This is a honest and forthright statement about a justified strategic focus. I wonder how anyone can question prioritizing the rebuilding of a war ravaged area of the country.