“The good news is that Nigerians remain traumatized by their 16-year misrule, and will not return to ‘Egypt’ by allowing the ‘demolition gang’ back to office,” says Lai Mohammed.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Federal Government on Monday likened the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to kidnappers claiming to be on a mission to rescue their victims.
The analogy was made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at a briefing in Abuja.
Calling the opposition party a ‘demolition gang,’ Lai Mohammed said Nigerians will not return to ‘Egypt’ by allowing them back to office in 2023.
Mohammed, who accused the opposition of desperation and shamelessness, and said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been trying to undo the damage PDP inflicted on the country in 16 years, claimed that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has recorded seven years of unprecedented achievements.
He said: ”In their most recent act of desperation, they sought to erase seven years of 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. They said they are ready to rescue Nigeria. Pray, where do kidnappers rescue their victims? These same guys who kidnapped the fortunes of their country are suddenly posing as rescuers. Caveat Emptor. Buyers beware! Nigerians Beware!”
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The Federal Government also accused the opposition of plans to sabotage Buhari’s administration and overheat the polity.
It claimed that the opposition was trying to trigger another EndSARS protest in the country.
It also faulted attempt by the opposition to declare the National Convention of the APC illegal, wondering why the opposition cannot wait till 2023 poll to test its popularity.
Lai Mohammed, who raised the alarm at a briefing in Abuja, asked the opposition not to promote anarchy.
Mohammed said: “As you know, the folks on the other side have been doing everything in recent times to overheat the polity, distort the achievements of our administration and spread misinformation.
”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.
”How else does one explain their court case seeking the declaration of our convention as illegal? How do you explain their threat of another EndSARS that pushed Nigerians to the brink? How do you explain their glaring misinformation regarding the nation’s state of affairs?
“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 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?
The ruling party, however, said it was under no illusion that PDP will stop its misrepresentation.
“No, because in their desperation to return to complete their demolition work on Nigeria, these folks will stop at nothing to paint us bad.
“But the good news is that Nigerians remain traumatized by their 16-year misrule, and will not return to ‘Egypt’ by allowing the ‘demolition gang’ back to office. In the meantime, let them present their 16-year stewardship in all the areas we have listed above and let Nigerians judge!”