Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed his pride in being part of the change movement which President Muhammadu Buhari is championing.
Atku, who is also the Turaki of Adamawa, said that there are enough examples to show that after 100 days in office, President Buhari is making great difference in the way government is run in this country and that Buhari has reinforced his confidence that despite the perceived slow pace, “Nigeria is on the path of progress and bright future.”
A statement by his media office in Abuja quoted the former Vice President as saying that the first 100 days in office of President Buhari clearly indicated that Nigeria is witnessing a marked departure from the culture of impunity, inertia and apathy in governance.
According to Atiku, even within the first 100 days, Nigerians could clearly see real proofs that the country is already moving in the right direction, which he attributed to President Buhari’s leadership by example style.
He said the President’s body language has sent strong and unmistakable message that the era of impunity was over, and that “corruption is no longer fashionable.”
The former Vice President explained that when leaders lead by example, they could automatically inspire public confidence, which he said is a condition for the success of any government policy.
According to Atiku, the Buhari administration has so far succeeded in blocking revenue leakages and diversions, which has been feeding corruption.
He said the Boko Haram terrorists are for the first time facing a fiercer response from newly motivated armed forces, adding that the terrorists are in disarray because of the new offensive strategy adopted by the government.
The former Vice President appealed to Nigerians to show more patience with President Buhari because some major reforms might take time, but that the country would ultimately be a better place.
Atiku said the level of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria is inconsistent with its oil wealth, explaining that corruption is the biggest obstacle to development.
The former Vice President said that President Buhari has boosted his optimism that Nigeria would rebound again.
This is even as Atiku expressed sadness over the recent incidents in Lagos, in which lives were lost when a container fell off a trailer and onto some cars, as well that in which fire razed some stores in Balogun market.
He described the loss of lives in these two incidents as unfortunate and preventable, adding that the relevant government agencies needed to be more conscious of their responsibilities in protecting Nigerians.
“Every day, the lives of Nigerians are lost to avoidable road carnage because some road users flagrantly violate the laws.”
Atiku urged the relevant government agencies to be alive to their responsibilities, and to prosecute offenders severely to ensure that others are deterred from taking actions that lead to needless loss of life.
“The relevant agencies have failed to hold violators of the laws of our land accountable to their actions. That is why these things keep happening again and again.”
Atiku consoled with the families of those who lost loved ones in the unfortunate incidents and prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear their loss.
“Hopefully, these incidents will lead to improved laws and better supervision,” he said, “and your loved ones will not have died in vain.”
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar said there is need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in the country to avert fire incidents and other disasters at public places.
The former Vice President made the assertion while condoling with the victims of the Balogun market fire disaster in Lagos.
The former Vice President regretted the apathy that characterizes government and public attitude to safety standards.
Atiku noted that Nigerians take safety issues for granted, an attribute he said eventually produces undesirable outcomes.
He stressed the need to train people on safety procedures and skills on how to respond to emergencies to minimize the scale of casualties or destruction.
He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the affected traders for their losses, and prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. [myad]
