Politics
Why Nigerians should stop criticizing Buhari’s Independent Day speech – Lai Mohammed
Nigeria’s Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, has given reasons Nigerians should stop criticizing President Muhammadu Buhari’s Independence Day speech.
A lot of Nigerians have criticized Buhari’s speech, saying that it fell short of what they expected on such an occasions.
But reacting to the criticisms that have trailed the speech since October 1, on AIT’s Focus Nigeria, monitored by DAILY POST, the Minister said the President wouldn’t have said anything else apart from the things he told Nigerians.
According to him, President Buhari, in his speech, addressed the most important challenges facing the country.
Lai Mohammed said, “57 years after, I’m still optimistic that Nigeria will be great. Living together for 57 years with all the challenges; with all the ups and downs show that we are growing stronger. I think there’s hope for Nigeria.
“Oh yes, there’ll be agitations here and there; there’ll be ups and downs; But I think in this administration, we are getting our priorities right. We are focused on the economy; we are focused on governance; we are focused on things that will improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.
On president Buhari’s Independence speech, he said, “I think it depends on how the people look at the Independent Day speech of President Muhammadu Buhari. The President started with what I think is the most important thing: The unit of this country.
“Then he went to the issue of security; the issue of the economy and then the issue of fighting corruption. I think these are issues that are genuine; these are issues without which we cannot move forward. He is telling us that if we don’t have a secured country, there won’t be any development.
“If we do not have unity, there won’t be any development. Mr. President is taking advantage of history to say that ‘I have fought in a civil war before and I know the horrors of a civil war that its not a joke and nobody should even toil with it.’ I think Mr. President was very frank and he expressed his concern on what he thinks is important to this country.
“And of course, if the President does not talk about the achievements of the government on that day, what else is he supposed to talk about? Nigerians don’t want to hear what you want to do as much as what you have done.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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