TheCable

Femi Fani-Kayode, spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential campaign organisation, has described Charles Soludo, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, as confused and conflicted for accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of mismanaging the economy.

Soludo, in an epistle published on Monday, had berated Jonathan for the floundering economy, arguing that his government failed to prepare for the plunge in global oil price even when the signs were visible.

He also flayed Jonathan for the diminishing reserves and the falling value of the national currency, alleging that his government led Nigeria to the present economic tenterhooks.

According to him, neither Jonathan nor his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, has the capacity to manage the country’s economy at this time.

But reacting to Soludo’s article on Monday, Fani-Kayode said that the former CBN governor had been tainted by his association with the opposition.

“I read Charles Soludu’s contribution to the debate with amusement. I will be gentle with him because I have a soft spot for him. He has criticised the president, his government and his handling of the economy,” he said.

“Meanwhile, Nigeria has just won the prestigious award of being designated as the largest economy in Africa and this has happened under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan and no one else. Should any right-thinking person who has the nation’s interest at heart be complaining about that? Needless to say my friend and brother Charles Soludo is confused and conflicted. He seems to have lost touch with reality and this is what often happens when you spend too much time with the Buharists.

“The truth is that Soludo is far too educated, civilised and advanced to be in the opposition. He belongs to the modern age and not the dark ages. I pray that sooner than later he comes to his senses and he sees the light. One thousand Muhammadu Buharis cannot match one Goodluck Jonathan in terms of tolerance, compassion, performance or output. Buhari cannot even begin to understand the complex nature of the economy or the immense problems that we are facing in this country whilst Jonathan not only understands them but is also making a gallant effort at solving them.

“I respect Charles Soludo immensely but I believe that he got it quite wrong here. He is in error and he needs to sit up, reconsider his views and review his unsavoury and disrespectful contribution.

“To say that the president should not run in this election and that he should throw in the towel is absurd and self-depreciating. It is a manifestation of the morbid fear of failure and defeat that the leaders of the opposition are all suffering from. Whether Soludo and his friends like it or not, not only will President Goodluck Jonathan run in this election, he will also win and he will do so convincingly.”