Nigerian gov't reacts to former president Obasanjo's criticism

LAGOS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Wednesday replied to former President Olusegun Obasanjo's criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, saying it had taken the former President's admonition in good faith.

Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information, gave the response after the weekly Federal Executive Council Meeting and thanked Obasanjo for his write-up.

Obasanjo had in an open statement released on Tuesday advised President Buhari not to run for a second term. He accused the President of nepotism, having a poor understanding of politics and engaging in blame games rather than accepting responsibility for his failure.

The former leader said he worked against his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to help the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Buhari win the last presidential election.

But, the situation that made Nigerians to vote massively for Buhari, he said, is playing itself out again.

Reacting to the statement, the minister said the administration had no reason to believe that Obasanjo's motive was not beyond the well-being of the nation.

Mohammed said the said Obasanjo's statement had praised the administration's fight against insurgency and corruption, two of the three cardinal areas of focus of the administration.

He added that his criticism on the economy indicated that his busy schedule denied him appreciation of government's efforts and resounding successes recorded in the economic sphere.

The information minister responded to Obasanjo's call on Buhari to forgo the 2019 re-election bid, describing both the call to or not to re-contest as diversionary.

"We believe this issue is a distraction for the President at this time," he said, adding that Buhari is committed to fulfilling the mandate given to him by Nigerians in 2015.

The minister acknowledged that the administration was not unaware of the enormity of the challenges facing the nation, but added that it was up to the task.

"We have taken the bull by the horns, and long-suffering Nigerians will begin to experience a new lease of life as our efforts yield fruits," he added.

"We will not go into a state of funk for whatever reason," Mohammed added.

The minister urged Nigerians to have faith in the administration's ability to resolve the crisis, and to watch out for concrete measures in that regard. Enditem