Nigeria’s immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, is standing by his claim that the country’s economy and security were in good shape during his administration.
He made these remarks while hosting newsmen at his country home in Daura, Katsina State.
Buhari emphasized that both security and the economy saw significant improvements compared to their state in 2015.
He expressed confidence that the progress made during his leadership would continue to benefit Nigeria, stating, “Things will continue to improve in Nigeria”.
However, not everyone shares Buhari’s optimistic view.
Former Senator Shehu Sani has stated that insecurity was worse under Buhari’s administration than under the current government.
Similarly, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Shehu Gabam, has claimed that Nigeria’s economy was worse off under Buhari than it is now.
Critics of former President Muhammadu Buhari argue that his administration struggled with several economic and security challenges.
Economic Recession;- Nigeria faced a recession in 2016, attributed to falling oil prices and economic mismanagement. Critics argue that recovery efforts were insufficient.
Inflation and Unemployment:- High inflation rates and soaring unemployment, particularly among youth, raised concerns about the government’s economic policies.
Corruption:- Despite his anti-corruption stance, many believe Buhari’s administration had limited success in curbing corruption, with allegations of graft persisting in various sectors.
Insecurity:- Issues such as Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, herdsmen-farmer conflicts, and kidnappings for ransom escalated during his presidency, leading to criticism that his government was ineffective in ensuring security.
Economic Diversification:- Critics claim that efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependency were inadequate, resulting in ongoing vulnerabilities.
Public Sentiment:- Many citizens expressed dissatisfaction over the perceived decline in their quality of life, leading to a loss of faith in the government’s ability to address economic and security issues.
