By Ben Adoga
The Federal Government has once again blamed the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the woes in the economy and the polity.
Briefing the press on Monday, Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed told journalists that the opposition was doing everything to overheat the polity.
“As you know, the folks on the other side (opposition) have been doing everything in recent times to overheat the polity, distort the achievements of our Administration, and spread misinformation,” the Minister said.
He accused the opposition of trying to take government through the back door out of desperation: “Yes, it is very cold out there for the hungry and desperate opposition, but every indication is that they don’t even want to wait for the 2023 elections before testing their popularity or acceptability at the polls.”
He chided the opposition for trying to destroy the country rather than constructive criticisms and opposition that can correct the mistakes of the government. “Gentlemen, there is nothing wrong in having a fiery and viable opposition in a democracy. We were there before and we remain the ones to beat in terms of a determined, viable and relentless opposition.
“But, in our time, not once did we advocate the destruction of Nigeria just because we couldn’t have our way. Not once did we seek to gain power via a desperate court action. If you destroy the country you are seeking to govern, what country will you govern? Must you cut your nose to spite your face?”
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The Information Minister said the opposition was busy trying to rubbish and erase the “unprecedented achievements by the Buhari Administration. In the most egregious show of shamelessness and a blatant refusal to be remorseful, they even had the audacity to express righteous indignation that the damage they inflicted on the country in their 16 years of misrule has not been totally undone in just seven years. In other words, those who brought the country to its knees are now accusing those working hard to repair things of non-performance.”
He pointed out that the government has been judicious with scarce resources and that Nigerians were making “great sacrifices because they know that today’s difficulties are like the pangs heralding the birth of a new baby.”
He said they are involved in massive infrastructural development in the country including the 2nd Niger Bridge, which they had built on paper several times, is almost ready for delivery. In addition to the 2nd Niger Bridge, we have built or repaired the following, among others: Ikom Bridge in Cross River, Loko-Oweto Bridge in Nasarawa, Ibi Bridge in Taraba and Bamenda-Mfun Bridge linking Nigeria and Cameroon, Chanchangi Bridge along Takum-Wukari road in Taraba among others.
