A second republic senator has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately resign from office and not wait until the coming general elections.
Professor Banji Akintoye made the call on Wednesday during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The former associate of late Obafemi Awolowo believes the President does not have the ability to manage the country’s economy, saying he would advise him to quit his job if he had the opportunity to meet him.
He noted that Nigeria has been evaluated as one of the countries with the highest rate of poverty, as well as one of the nations where citizens have the least access to basic amenities.
“This president does not seem to know or understand Nigeria, does not seem to care about the suffering of people, and has no clue at all about managing the economy,” said Professor Akintoye.
“If I were to stand in from of him, as a fellow citizen who belongs to my generation, I would say ‘brother, you can’t do this job’.
“I will say to him, ‘my dear brother you cannot do this job; you have no idea (of) how to do it. Our country is perishing under you, I would advise that you resign (and) not even talk about standing election in 2019’. I think he should resign right now,” he added.
The elder statesman made the comments amid controversy and war of words that have accompanied a statement issued by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday.
Obasanjo had in the 13-page statement, advised President Buhari not to seek re-election and called for a new movement to salvage Nigeria from its challenges.
He also said the Buhari government has failed the people, especially in one of the areas it pitched as its ‘key point of action’ when it assumed office in 2015 – the fight against corruption.
Asked whether the claims made by the former President were true, Professor Banji said, “I think so; that’s another matter over which I agree with former President Obasanjo.”
The historian further criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a ‘disintegrated’ party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a one that is encouraging ‘corruption’.
He also faulted the Senate and called on Nigerians to ensure they elect lawmakers who would lead the country on the path of restructuring and ensure adequate security of lives and property.
“APC is not a party, it’s just a contraption that was brought together to produce Buhari as president,” the second republic senator said. “After that, it (the party) disintegrated. Buhari is not using APC as a factor in a government.”
“PDP has so mismanaged our lives in the past and has such a hideous record of corruption; to think that Nigerians will after one term vote for a party like PDP is egregious. No, it cannot happen – what should happen is what former President Obasanjo is suggesting.
“Nigerians need to get together, put themselves together, and find a way to elect a totally different Senate in 2019 that will lead Nigeria – one, to restructure the country so that we can release all the tensions and two, to bring security into the land. We need to have security in our land,” he added.
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