ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that he “can’t wait to go home to Daura” and “if they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic” have vexed some Nigerians.
Some interpretated the comment to be icing on the cake of the way he squandered the goodwill he enjoyed from Nigerians.
For some others, his comment means he was disinterested in the state of insecurity, economic decline, and widespread corruption he was leaving the country in.
Buhari had made the comment when some dignitaries paid him a Sallah homage in the State House.
Among those who expressed their displeasure were the former Chief Imam of National Assembly Quarters Legislative Mosque, Sheikh Nuru Khalid; activist and journalist, Omoyole Sowore, and another activist, Deji Adeyanju.
Sheikh Khalid told Vanguard that: “The President’s comment is disappointing and disheartening.
“It sends the message that he deliberately did not show enough interest in addressing the problems facing the country.
“It is unfortunate that the President seems more concerned with his personal comfort than the welfare of the Nigerian people. He has shown Nigerians he has a ‘Plan B’ of sort.
“One of his media aides made attempts to defend him by saying the President was merely cracking a joke. You don’t joke with your citizens like that.”
Also, Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), said there was no hiding place for Buhari.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, sorry, there will be no hiding place for the wicked. You must pay for your crimes against humanity.
“Till the end of time, your atrocities will fish you out. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, it won’t matter where you hide, you will answer for your crimes,” he said.
According to Adeyanju, the President’s comment is a clear indication that he is disconnected from the realities of the Nigerian people.
He said the President had better wake up to the fact that he must take responsibility for the dire situation in the country even after he leaves office.
He told Vanguard that: “President Buhari seems to exude a general sense of distance from reality. He seems to be always living in a bubble.
“He doesn’t yet realise the extent of damage, he has done to the country.
“I can’t understand why someone with so much goodwill of the masses in the build-up to the 2015 elections squander it in so short a time and his government now a colossal failure.
“If Nigeria is still a sane nation, Buhari will never be celebrated after he leaves office no matter where he may run to.
“He destroyed the nation on many fronts except catapulting his immediate family to a state of stupendous wealth.”