Boko Haram, international sponsors want to destroy Nigeria — Buhari

…Vows not to stay beyond May 29

…Backs U.S. visa ban on Nigerians sponsoring undemocratic agenda

Olaseinde Gbenga, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue of insecurity confronting the Country, has said that he suspects international groups that want to destroy Nigeria are behind the terrorism of Boko Haram, arguing that the group is fraudulent even by the name given to it.

Buhari who stated this while delivering a keynote address at a lunch organised by the Kano state government on Monday after the commissioning of some federal and state projects, said, “When we came into power in 2015, Boko Haram was in control in 13 of the 27 local governments of the State (Bornu), only four were with the government then.

“More so, half of the local governments in Yobe state were with Boko Haram.

“Today with the help of a patriotic and dedicated governor in Borno state the local governments have been recovered.

“What is Boko Haram? It is very fraudulent. I suspect there’s an international group that wants to destroy Nigeria. If not, how can Boko (western education) be Haram?”

Buhari, who was on a state visit to Kano while speaking on infrastructure said,  “I want you to recall that between 1999 and 2019 the NNPC production was 2.1 million barrels per day at the cost of 100 Dollars per barrel. So, Nigeria was earning 100 dollars per barrel for 2.1 million barrels a day but look at our infrastructure.

“Some of them 60 years old, look at our power sector, what can advance without infrastructure?

“But those in charge in those years were going around not only in Nigeria but the world saying they are wonderful but they cannot explain what they have done.

“But the cost of petroleum today has gone down to about $37 per barrel which only 1.5 million barrels is produced and yet we have put in place a lot of infrastructure. Look at what we have been able to do.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said that President Buhari would play by the rules of democracy without any agenda for a third term to stay beyond May 29, 2023.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at the 20th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023), said the President is committed as promised to leave the stage and hand over  power to a democratically elected government.

The Minister spoke on heels of the decision by the United States of America to slam a visa ban on some Nigerians undermining democracy, declaring the support of the Buhari led Government behind the decision.

It would be recalled that the United States government had announced visa restrictions on some Nigerians accused of undermining democracy, noting that this was part of the action to advance democracy and tackle corruption in Nigeria.

The Minister reiterated the position of the Buhari administration to ensure free, fair and credible elections as well as a smooth handover to a successor elected by Nigerians in May 29.

He said, “As a government, we are proud to say that no administration, since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, has shown more fidelity to the democratic process than ours.

“No President, since 1999, has been as unambiguous as President Muhammadu Buhari, in word and in deed, with regards to leaving office after the constitutionally-stipulated two terms.”

According to the Minister, President Buhari had given unprecedented support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including signing into law the Electoral Act 2022, which was applauded by Nigerians.

He also reiterated the position of the government to conduct the general elections as planned and scheduled.

Mohammed said the scorecard series, during which Ministers gave the giant strides of their Ministries since 2015, was another indication of the administration’s determination to leave office on May 29, 2023.

He said, the scorecard series was in essence, a presentation of the handover notes of the administration to those who elected them to office, as they prepare to leave in May.

“We have not been mired in any third term controversy like was witnessed under the Peoples Democratic Party.

“In fact, we are creating the template on a smooth transition of power that will guide future administrations.

“Let those who undermine our democracy be sanctioned, and let them carry their own cross.

“As a government, we have no reason to worry because our hands are clean,” he said.