July 12, (THEWILL) – The Presidency said despite global economic crisis including the effects of COVID-19 lockdown and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which have weakened the world economy, the Buhari-led administration had made giant strides to better the lives of Nigerians.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the remarks on Monday, on Channels TV’s Politics Today.
Shehu was responding to questions on the prolonged strike by varsity lecturers, security challenges, as well as the queues in several filling stations across the the country.
Shehu noted that there are other areas in need of similar attention, saying the problem had been passed from one government to another.
He said that despite the circumstances the government had found itself, including the effects of COVID-19 lockdown and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which have weakened the world economy, the Buhari-led administration had made giant strides to better the lives of Nigerians.
He said, “He has solved such problems substantially. Look at one of the things that have happened. the real epicenter of such crisis is the North East; and the South South, where even the mining for oil, which is the backbone of the economy had become almost impossible.
“Again, calm has been restored to the South South; more challenges have arisen. All of these things you have mentioned, we don’t deny that there is hardship in the country, so also is difficulty in all parts of the world.
“In many cases this is expected; leaders across the globe are being lashed at by their publics. All these have arisen from lockdown of COVID-19. Most of the petroleum we’re consuming is brought from outside.
“So all of these thing are impacted upon by the war in Ukraine who supplies it, but thank God with massive agricultural vision of the president, we eat what we grow and grow what we eat.”
Speaking on the President’s appeal to ASUU to halt its ongoing strike, Shehu said Buhari has the right to appeal on behalf of Nigerians.
He said: “The president has the right to appeal on behalf of Nigerians. This is sixth months of the ongoing strike. Is there any right for one to insist on taking 100 percent of the grievances they have? This was a 2009 agreement signed by the then government.
“Why is Buhari being held by the neck? What happened in the past? Why didn’t they strangle the past administrations on these matters?”
