From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Bola Tinubu, has acknowledged the achievements of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that though it had been faced with a lot of difficulties that could have rendered it ineffective, the president had done everything to deliver on the promises of the APC to Nigerians.
Addressing the final Ministerial Performance Review Retreat of the administration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the APC flag bearer assured the president that though many in the opposition would want his achievements to go unrecognised, the books of history would continue to preserve all he has done in his years as leader of the country.
Tinubu, whose speech had been rescheduled at the event, holding at the State House Conference Center, having been absent from the first day of retreat because of another engagement in Kaduna, said to President Buhari and his cabinet members: “The things you have done are important and enduring. Try as they might, no one can take those achievements away from you. Yet, it is the fate of the selfless worker to labour too hard and too long to write his own story. He will rather accomplish things for good of all, than to focus attention on himself or herself. Thus, his history is not always fully and accurately told.
“His labour and achievements may go unappreciated for a moment, however, that unfair moment cannot last forever and cannot last, in due course, the full extent of this administration and the contribution would become known and understood very well”, he said.
Tinubu, while pointing out that the Buhari’s administration inherited a national condition steep in difficulty unlike any other, noted that previous administrations under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacked the will to tackle serious problem ranging from insecurity to corruption.
“You see, history has a way of clearing the myths so that things can be said clearly and objectively. Any objective assessment of your time and the national contribution you all have made will be a positive and grateful one.
“This administration inherited a national condition steep in difficulty unlike any other. Predecessor-governments ignored or lack the will to tackle serious problem ranging from insecurity to corruption.
“As if that was not enough, you confronted series of events unprecedented compounded by the complexity and novelty of COVID that attacked global health and the global economy.
“Throughout most of your tenure, oil prices waned and edge and consequently, so, did our revenue. The Ukrainian prices and all the conflicts couple with severe weather events in many nations further depleted economic production and undermine international supply chain of regular items especially food. You did more than… and withstand these adverse storm, despite it all, you made historic progress.
“During this retreat, you have been assessing and will still assess the status of your nine point agenda. You will discuss things in great detail. Yet, permit me to highlight a few points to prompt the memory of those who somehow tend to forget it the recent past.
“Upon entering office, you faced a situation where deadly terrorists, were planting flags on our national territory proclaiming an illegal state within our legitimate state. Because of your collective work, they no longer plant those flags, they dare not. Their boast of conquest are no longer heard. You have you put us on the road to defeating this menace.
“By the grace of Almighty God we shall persist until terrorists and those like them are utterly removed from the face of our nation. The progress you made increasing farm productivity while improving the condition of the average farmer, were a border policy intervention helping the nation overcome the global supply chain disruptions that threaten our food security. Despite financial headwinds, you e,barked on an unparalleled expansion of the national infrastructure. Work in the power sector may be slow but it will show some dividends amidst the increased investors in this area.
“Mr. President and other members of the administration, may I state the following: if elected, I will give due honour to your efforts and your legacy. I will work in the spirit of further unity, national purpose that informed the creation of our party that characterized the work of your government.
“Most importantly, that the way and means of a Tinubu government will be devoted to further project and prosper the Nigerian people because our guiding principle will be to provide the best of progressive governance and reform our beloved land. Consider these three promises, to build on the positive and goals of your nine points agenda,” he said.