The Federal Government has commended Nigerians for their perseverance and support for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this at Oro, Kwara State, on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, on Tuesday.
A statement issued by the minister quoted him as assuring Nigerians that their sacrifices towards the emergence of a better Nigeria would not be in vain.
He, however, appealed to them to remain steadfast and be vigilant, especially as the 2019 elections approach.
He said, ‘’The year 2019 is the year of decision for Nigeria. It is the year that the critical decision will be made as to whether Nigeria will continue along the path of development, in all ramifications (social, economic, political, etc), that this administration has embarked upon since 2015, or the country will retrogress and backslide to the throes of massive and primitive looting and lack of development.
“As we approach this critical fork on the road, I have no iota of doubt that the good people of Nigeria will choose the path of development, having seen the commitment, sincerity and patriotism of this administration. It is clear, from all indications, that Nigerians are not going back to Egypt.”
He said because of the support of the people and the achievements of the administration, the All Progressives Congress would win, even with a wider margin, in 2019, saying this would seal the fate of those he described as naysayers.
Mohammed said, ‘’Many cynics have asked: Why should the APC-led administration be returned to power? What has it achieved to justify the votes of Nigerians?
“My answer has been consistent: This administration has done what no other administration has done in the history of Nigeria in putting the country firmly on the path of sustainable growth and development, especially in the area of infrastructure, economy, agriculture, the fight against corruption and the battle against insecurity.”
“In closing, I want to appeal to the good people of Nigeria to be vigilant and not to yield the space to naysayers. The gains of the past three years plus must be preserved.
“Nigeria must continue on its present trajectory to sustainable growth and development. Never again must we go back to ‘Egypt’,’’ he said.
In its reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party said that 2019 would give Nigerians the opportunity to put a stop to what it described as hardship and killings in the country.
It said that the forthcoming elections would also make Nigerians say no to nepotism, which it said the Buhari administration was known for.
The National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, who spoke with our correspondent, insisted that it would be difficult for the country to afford another four years under the APC.
He said, “I’m glad he said that 2019 would be a year of decision for the country. It is a year that Nigerians will say no to hardship and killings. A year that bloodshed would become a thing of the past because the end has come for the present administration.
“2019 would be a year when Nigerians would unite to stop nepotism and stop parochial leadership in the country.”
