President-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that from what he has observed so far from our economy which was in the care of Goodluck Jonathan and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in the last 6 years, things are so bad that it would take a lot of work to change Nigeria for the better.
We’ll inherit empty treasuries – APC govs
This was even as governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said that empty treasuries may be awaiting them in their respective states.
They cried out that most state governments had gone bankrupt and, therefore, can’t pay workers’ salaries.
Buhari and the governors expressed the fear when the governors paid him a congratulatory visit at the Defence House, Abuja.
Buhari to plead with Nigerians for patience
Buhari, who recalled what the regime of late General Sani Abacha did to establish the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, however said he would plead with Nigerians for their understanding and patience even as he reiterated his commitment to restoring security and the economy.
He said: “The expectation is too high and I have started nervously to explain to people that Rome was not built in a day. For this to be corrected, please, give the incoming government a chance.
“Here, I will like to recall what happened during the Abacha regime which led to the emergence of PTF. The Abacha regime was a military regime and it thought that the only way was to increase the prices of petroleum products. But they were not taking Nigerians for a ride. They would have said that if Nigerians decide to riot, they have the guns and so they can have their way.
“They decided to tell Nigerians that they were going to increase prices of petroleum products and the money we get, we will put aside for development. That was how PTF came.
“So, this time around, under this system, to bounce back with the issue especially with the backlog of salaries which are of immediate concern to individuals and states, I think we should look for a better way to address the issue and think of how to persuade people to give us a chance to organise the economy immediately and get something to pay salaries. The people will give us a chance to stabilise the economy.”
Buhari who also lamented what he likened to destruction of social infrastructure especially in education, assured that his government would ensure that the country is improved in all ramifications.
