LAGOS – The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly distance his administration from that of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, to prevent the failures of the past from impacting him.
The group provided the advice in response to remarks made by Reuben Abati, the former spokesperson for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, concerning former President Buhari.
Abati suggested that Buhari is ridiculing Nigeria from his residence in Daura, Katsina State, given the current socio-economic challenges in the country.
In response, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the Convener of Arewa Think Tank, refuted Abati’s remarks as an attempt to distort the truth.
Yakubu questioned how Buhari could find amusement while overseeing a period of economic hardship that President Bola Tinubu inherited.
He brought attention to current issues such as the detention of Buhari’s central bank governor and investigations into Buhari’s nephew for alleged embezzlement.
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“We are confident that the Buhari we are familiar with would be greatly troubled and saddened upon learning of all the wrongdoings that occurred during his time as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he stated.
The statement also condemned Buhari’s financial legacy, highlighting the significant borrowing from foreign governments and the mismanagement of foreign reserves during his tenure.
“Buhari would indeed be troubled by the financial mismanagement and corruption that occurred during his presidency,” Yakubu remarked.
Arewa Think Tank advised President Tinubu to distance his administration from Buhari’s legacy to avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous government.
“This guidance is crucial to prevent the failures of the past administration from negatively impacting his own government, which is striving to navigate the socio-economic challenges it inherited.
The Think Tank also recommended prompt action to address potential food shortages and urged Tinubu to confront banditry decisively.
“Another suggestion is that while some of us are commending him for the approved local government autonomy and subsidy removal, a lasting legacy that he will be remembered for is to directly confront and overcome the bandits. They are not supernatural beings; they can be defeated,” the statement mentioned.