Buhari’s Former Aide Highlights Reasons Behind Nigeria’s Slow Progress

Former Special Adviser to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina has called on Nigerian leaders to walk the talk.

Adesina said most Nigerian youths are frustrated because they are unable to secure good jobs or enjoy better quality of life.

It was learnt that the former presidential aide said this at an annual public lecture organised by the Foursquare Gospel Church, Aba Ibeji, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Poor leadership and corruption are holding Nigeria back, he said.

For him, “Nigeria has everything it needs to move forward, a large youthful population, rich natural resources, fertile land, a good geographical location.

“Poor leadership and corruption are what is holding Nigeria back. Nigeria is blessed with human and natural resources but unfortunately, it has not translated to wealth.”

He stated that the promises made by Nigeria’s past and present leaders have largely remained unfulfilled, urging current leaders to match their words with action to ensure that citizens benefit from the country’s resources.

Meanwhile, a former Minister of Youth and Sports in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Solomon Dalung, has faulted the Presidency’s defence of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations surrounding Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.

Dalung said the official response issued by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, did not answer critical questions about how a purportedly fictitious presidential agency allegedly operated within government circles.

He said whereas the Presidency sought to exonerate Gbajabiamila, its explanation revealed gaping holes in government oversight.

He said the Presidency must explain how an individual allegedly forged an appointment letter, operated from the Federal Secretariat, recruited personnel, engaged government institutions, met diplomats and reportedly obtained a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account without being detected.

He also queried reports that the alleged agency was included in the national budget.

“If the council was fake, how did it get into the budget,” Dalung said.

He argued that budget proposals go through several stages of executive and legislative review before approval and asked who introduced, processed and approved the alleged provision.

Dalung also queried how office space was allegedly obtained at the Federal Secretariat, asking which authority approved the space allocation and why the operation was not discovered earlier.

He also questioned reports of the death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom investigators said was identified by Adeyemi as the person who helped procure the alleged forged appointment letter.

Dalung asked if investigators performed an autopsy, coroner’s inquest or forensic review of Tanimola’s communications and financial records.

Dalung, however, said while the allegations against Adeyemi were before the court, accountability should not end with the prosecution of one person.

He said the government must explain how its institutions either interacted or failed to detect what the presidency now describes as a fictitious agency.

Dalung urged the Presidency to release documentary evidence, timelines and official records regarding the inclusion of the alleged agency in the national budget, its reported operations within the Federal Secretariat and the failure of institutional safeguards.