Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on Thursday carpeted the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and alleged that there was confusion in the Federal Government.
Lamido, who insisted that Buhari was not in charge of his administration, added that nobody in the administration could be held accountable for the crises rocking different parts of the country.
The former governor was in Bayelsa State with his entourage to seek the support of Governor Seriake Dickson and the state’s chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for his presidential ambition in 2019.
He, however, declared himself the PDP candidate for the election and boasted that he was sure of winning the ticket and becoming the commander-in-chief in 2019.
Speaking in a courtesy visit to Dickson in Government House, where he was received by crowd of PDP stakeholders, Lamido highlighted some events that made him believe President Buhari was not in charge of his government.
He said a detachment of policemen laid siege at the residence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for over 10 hours but that the Inspector-General of Police denied the development and said he did not authorize it.
Lamido further said Buhari claimed he knew politicians behind the killings in the north but had failed to arrest them despite thousands of lives lost in many conflicts.
He said: “Today, Nigeria is under siege. As a government, they have no focus. As a government, we don’t know who is in charge, whether it is Buhari or chief of staff. Nobody knows.
“Lamentably, our President said the issues of crisis and violence is caused by people he knows very well. But he can’t even arrest them. You know them but you can’t arrest them.
“The IG went and blocked the house of the Senate President. For ten hours the house was under siege, but the IG said he was not aware. Who is in charge? Buhari doesn’t know and IG doesn’t know. Maybe it is Sule Lamido. Who do you hold accountable? Nobody.
“We have a government which is not focused, incompetent and evil and this country country belongs to all of us. Today, we could see the impunity in government. The number of theft in NNPC and the Central Bank is unheard of. They loot, drain and suck our blood like leeches. But they will say we are the thieves.
“Today in the north we are killing each other. In Sokoto, Zamafara, Benue and Taraba people are dying. The IG is still inviting Saraki to come for this Offa robbery, but the Attorney-General of the Federation said there was no evidence”.
He said Buahri and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their tripod campaign promises of security, economy and corruption.
He said: “APC came on the tripod of security, economy and corruption. Under PDP, for 16 years we were only there corrupting, stealing and killing, today we have a party of angels brought from heavens and Buhari, Mr. Saint it is up to us to reflect.
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“Are we happier now? Are we more united? Are we richer? And are we more secured? APC is a virus of evil. It has turned lies into a part of governance”.
Lamido claimed to be the only qualified PDP aspirant to challenge Buhari in 2019 and said other aspirants have lacuna in genie membership of the party.
He said: “We want a thoroughbred PDP person. I came to see my brothers and sisters. We share the same concerns and commitments. Before you here is the aspirant not an aspirant. Before you here is the President of Nigeria after our convention.
“Before you here is your brother and commander-in-chief in 2019. Our party needs the cohesion and the discipline. So, we must rescue Nigeria and it must be somebody with the character of the PDP. In me is a very huge and large heart.
“We have to save Nigeria. I didn’t come to campaign. I am your candidate. Whether you like it or not l must be your candidate. When others come, there will be lacuna in their membership. You need a consistent person”.
In his remarks, Bayelsa State Governor, Seraike Dickson described Lamido as a consistent, dependable, courageous mobiliser for the PDP and supporter of good causes for the country and the party.
While appealing to Nigerians to rally round PDP to rescue the country from its litany of woes, Dickson said Bayelsa was ready to receive more presidential aspirants.
He described the current security and economic challenges in the country as unparalleled saying the APC failed to deliver on its mandate to the citizenry.
He expressed gratitude to Alhaji Sule Lamido and other progressive minded stakeholders of the party for giving the Niger Delta, which is a minority region, the opportunity to produce a president in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
Dickson emphasized the need for all PDP contestants to pursue their aspirations with the collective interest of the PDP at heart to enable the party organize a free, fair and credible primary that would produce a widely accepted flag bearer.
He said: “You are consistent, dependable and courageous mobilizers for our party. This state remembers the storms you have weathered to defend the best interest of our party. These are very trying times, but you stood by what was right for Nigeria and for the PDP.
“The state appreciates your steadfastness; even our party leaders are waiting at the secretariat to receive you. All i want to say is that, we appreciate, your steadfastness and progressive views.
“We call on you and other contestants to be ready to collaborate with the national leadership of our party when the delegates come together to vote in a free and fair primaries that would produce an acceptable leader”.
