The Presidency has fired back at the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) after it alleged that ”poverty, particularly in the North and massive social security have worsened under Buhari’s administration.”
Addressing newsmen at the end of a meeting convened by its chairman and former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Prof. Ango Abdullahi, the group said it is difficult to see how ''Buhari can accept the challenge to radically improve his handling of our security situation and also improve the lives of Nigerians.''
The statement read in parts;
“It has become necessary and appropriate, however, to make public, the position of the forum on important matters that affect the manner Nigerians live, and the future we must address.
“The forum regrets that by any standard of judgement, the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the nation in the vital area of improving its security.
“The relationship between insecurity and poverty is fundamental, but the administration does not appear to have any idea on what will provide relief or solution.
“It gives the forum no pleasure to say that it had warned Nigerians that President Buhari lacked the will, the competence and commitment to lead it into a secure and prosperous future before the 2019 elections.
“It is shocking that in spite of unprecedented consensus among Nigerians that the administration requires a new resolve, approach and leadership in the fight against the nation’s multiple security challenges, President Buhari appears either totally isolated or in deep denial over the result of his failures to secure Nigerians.
"It is difficult to see how Buhari can accept the challenge to radically improve his handling of our security situation.
"There should be a thorough overhaul of the leadership of our security and public safety agencies, and the injection of higher levels of competence, integrity and accountability in the manner our troops and the police and security agencies deal with security challenges”
On 2023 election, the group stated;
