The pan-northern socio-political organization, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has accused outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan of deliberately plotting to hinder the smooth take off of the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari.
Citing the current energy crisis confronting the nation due to scarcity of petroleum products following Federal Government’s alleged indebtedness to various groups, the Forum lamented that, “Nigerians do not deserve such a parting gift from Jonathan after he has earned himself a global applause for statesmanship”.
The ACF’s position was contained in a statement in Kaduna yesterday after the monthly meeting of its national executive council, under the chairmanship of Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie.
The statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, noted that the nationwide fuel scarcity had virtually brought the economy to its knees and imposed untold hardship on Nigerians.
The statement read, “This has seriously affected power generation and distribution, transportation system, telecommunications, banking, water supply and other sectors of the economy.
“In fact, the situation is terrible, worrisome and capable of shutting down the country. Certainly, few days to the handover of government to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the ACF and indeed Nigerians are worried and disturbed at the rate the Nigerian state is being grounded by actions and inactions of the outgoing Jonathan’s administration.
“All these unwarranted hardships including the persistent insecurity and many others which the outgoing regime will bequeath to Gen. Buhari appear to be deliberate and calculated to hinder the smooth take off of the new administration.
“After President Jonathan conceded defeat to Buhari, he has at every occasion pledged to cooperate with Buhari to ensure a smooth transition.
“However, ACF has observed with dismay the actions and inactions of the Jonathan’s administration in the last two months which have failed to make the transition smooth as promised.
“President Jonathan’s recent knack for sacking aides, chief executives, making frivolous appointments, awarding contracts and revoking or even relocating some projects at this zero hour of his administration, is morally wrong and a negation of his earlier statesman posture.
“The recent revelation by the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala that despite the huge amount ($61.7 billion about N12.3 trillion) earned from oil and other sources in the four years of President Jonathan, the Federal Government has been borrowing to pay salaries and allowances thereby incurring heavy debt for the incoming administration”.
The ACF, however, urged Nigerians to be patient and cooperate with the incoming government.