President Muhammadu Buhari
* Odigie-Oyegun: Party members will smile soon
In spite of several official statements in the last few weeks by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that Nigerians would not regret voting President Muhammadu Buhari in the last general election, THISDAY has gathered that some party leaders are actually running out of patience with the president.
A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC told THISDAY that even though Buhari’s policy statements and actions in the last 70 days may look appealing to some Nigerians and a segment of the international community, those who invested their huge financial resources and energy in the campaign that gave Buhari victory are not happy with him.
“Yes, President Buhari and our party want to fight corruption; we want to do things differently from the previous government led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but we must not forget that many well-meaning Nigerians and their friends put their money down for our elections. They want to be appreciated by one way or the other,’’ a member of NWC from the South-west who pleaded anonymity told THISDAY in Abuja.
He added that: “The president may have good intentions for our country going by his current efforts to reposition our nation, but good politics goes beyond fighting corruption. There are other things he can start doing that will benefit our party members and Nigerians as a whole, along with fighting corruption.”
The APC leader stated that the “growing impatience” against the APC-led federal government, in spite of Buhari’s efforts to right the wrongs of the past, is a “strong indication” that Nigerians want to see economic programmes that will directly better their lives along with the fight against corruption.
The APC leader said: “Look, two governorship elections are coming up in Bayelsa and Kogi States, and with APC controlling the centre, we thought the elections would be a walk-over for us. But that is not the case, as many of our leaders and their followers are not happy with us.
“As the president continues to preach the gospel against corruption, there is mounting fear that those who invested hugely in our last general election might not get anything. For many of us, this is not good politics at all.’’
However, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said it was legitimate and common for people to expect appointments and get rewarded with board positions after elections, but denied any resentment or growing impatience within the party leadership.
“There is nothing like resentment within the party leadership; there is nothing like that at all. Yes, people want appointments and other things. And those appointments will come in the next one month or so. Those complaining are doing so for their selfish interests,” Oyegun added.
He said the party and Buhari are unfolding ongoing policies and programmes that would benefit the nation in the long run.
THISDAY NEWS
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