President-Elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in a chat with SaharaTV spoke on how he plans to deal with corruption, the government’s finances, Boko Haram, and Nigeria’s economy.
He blamed the Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the financial situation in Nigeria, and that he will make his Ministerial appointees declare their assets to the public.
When asked about statements from Minister of Finance Iweala on the fiscal conditions and government spending in Nigeria, President-Elect Buhari told SaharaTV that “I’m afraid the Finance Minister has no cause to complain because the governors cannot force the central government to act outside the Constitution.”
President-Elect Buhari firmly stated that “all those that were governors, ministers, permanent secretaries, head of foreign staff and all those with political appointments will have to declare their assets on the assumption of their appointment and definitely with the courts. And once they leave they have to re-declare their assets.” He said this would ensure greater accountability among public servants.
He told SaharaTV that he does not plan to interfere with the judiciary and whatever action it may take pursuing corrupt public officials. He stated that his administration would not “become embroiled in investigation every ministry, then the government will not have time to move forward.”
On the contentious issue of Oil Block ownership in Nigeria, and an equitable distribution of the country’s wealth, he suggested that partisan politics in Nigeria is the cause of inequitability in the oil sector. President-Elect Buhari claimed that he wanted to professionalize the oil sector in Nigeria. He said that the “proliferation of oil fields to people who don’t even know what it is, is one of the messes partisan politics has brought.” Within the equitable distribution of wealth and job creation for youth, the President-Elect pointed to the APC manifesto calling for greater emphasis on mining and agriculture development.
When pressed on rumors that former president Obasanjo was exercising inordinate influence on Buhari’s administration he said, “I think that people have to accept the realities of Nigeria’s political development. General Olusegun Obasanjo is the only living Nigerian that led Nigeria for more than 11 years, so for anybody to think that General Obasanjo is irrelevant or he was trying to push his influence over issues, I think is being uncharitable and not being fair to Nigeria’s political development.”
The president-elect, has made it known that his government would have no place for defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) have nothing to fear over the mass defection of PDP members to the party.
Like Us on Facebook!
I’m disappointed in Buhari on what he said. The crash in oil price that affected the economy was not Madam Iweala’s fault. You should understand that there is a term known as the ‘Unknowable’ that occurs as unpredicted. Despite that she was able to contain the shock, and stabilize the challenge. She has stablised the economy despite the unknowable. You should give her credit and not attack her. Anyway who do president talk anyhow?
ReplyDeleteMr. Dull head, they will go out of government for you what will you do to salvage the economy after the oil price? You lack credibility, you signed off the economy to Tinubu and you are talking about what an innocent woman did? You need a head check.
ReplyDeleteSomeone should tell Buhari that the Oil crash caused the challenge in the present economy and not Okonjo Iweala. Okonjo Iweala is the reason why you have not met a crashed economy, mr. President. Na this type of President Nigeria get, sorry Niaja.
ReplyDeleteBuhari, it is becoming obvious that you don’t have a certificate. This is the only country you can be President. You unfounded allegations are a pointer that you lack a WAEC certificate. Fake Presido, show us your certificate
ReplyDeleteBuhari, Nigerians didn’t vote for you because you are the messiah. INEC rigged the election for your favour, despite the fact that you don’t have a certificate. Now, your illiterate brain is making unfounded statements.
ReplyDeleteAll these guys talking doesn't even read what the man is saying, but all of you open your big mouth talking rubbish. May Baba buhari forgive you
ReplyDeleteSo much for a so-called leader. Is this how to take responsibility for moving the country to greater heights?
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious that the first anonymous person that commented on this post is still the same person commenting under different names. What are you scared of?......people wey chop naija money should face the music whenever the play button is pressed.
ReplyDeleteYes our True president you have to let them know what is going to happen due to their mis management
ReplyDeleteSahara Reporters and other mediums like this are mischievous forums that would go to any length to discredit good people like Okonjo-Iweala. Everybody knows Okonjo-Iweala’s track record in this country; she has brought only good to our economy. Under her watch GDP has risen significantly, the economy is booming, inflation is reducing. Again the General never said anything like Okonjo-Iweala is to blame for Nigeria’s financial situation; Sahara is misquoting and misrepresenting the President elect.
ReplyDeleteOkonjo-Iweala has been the faithful watchdog of our economy; under her watch, the economy has grown and is growing. It was not for fun that she raised the alarm concerning the governors the other day; many of them are guilty as charged.
ReplyDeleteIt has always been of concern to me the height of unprofessionalism and recklessness displayed by some Nigeria media platforms. The headline saying Okonjo-Iweala is to be blamed for Nigeria’s financial situation is not in correlation with the contents of the piece. The President-elect did not come hard on the Finance Minister as supposed, he only made a passing remark which is more or less harmless. His entire speech was on more germane matters.
ReplyDeleteissues are better tackled from the roots,NOI is not the cause of Nigeria problem before her there was the issue of corruption and bad governance,people keep saying they want change,let wait and see what he Buhari will do.
ReplyDeleteThis is an example of good leadership,who is ready,he knows what he wanted to achieve even before he assuming office.the president elect is ready to work hand-in-hand with NOI,its all these social media creating their own false stories
ReplyDeleteIt is sad how writers who are supposed to be the conscience of the society resort to publishing false information just for cheap popularity thereby jeopardizing their reputation. Sahara reporters, its hi-time you guys turn a new leaf. General Buhari couldn’t have levelled such an accusation against a woman who has been globally acclaimed for her innovative and professional expertise in reviving an economy which she met in a comatose state.
ReplyDeleteGod wants to do good things in this country ,rumour monger beware especially the so called media house.discrediting Dr Ngozi is uncalled for,this same woman who has contributed to the economy growth,deserves your respect tarnishing her image will not help you sell your market.
ReplyDeleteDr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a globally acclaimed economist and an astute administrator. She has put in years of hard work into her career little wonder she’s sought for across the globe. Nothing Sahara Reporters say can taint her reputation
ReplyDeleteSahara Reporters is at it again. What do you stand to gain by misrepresenting the Finance minister before General Buhari. Your mischief will be to your loss eventually because I believe General Buhari will soon realise that you are only patronising him and not necessarily because you have the interest of this country at heart.
ReplyDeleteMadam Iweala is not a coward that will run away in the face of
ReplyDeletechallenges. And that is the quality of a real leader. The reason why the
attack on her image has increased over time is that they want to
frustrate her to resign.the media houses are the cause publishing false allegation stories against madam.