The Cable reports that President Muhammadu Buhari may have revealed how hot his seat is as he disclosed on Tuesday evening that leading Nigeria is not a joke. He also called for prayers from well-meaning Nigerians saying this is one sure way the country can grow and overcome its current economic challenges. The president made the disclosure while breaking his fast with some members of his cabinet at the presidential villa, Abuja. To him, the Ramadan period is an opportunity for leaders to be more conscious of their actions. He said:
“Leading the people is not a joke. It means accepting responsibilities for good or wrong. We need a lot of prayers. This month of prayers and service to God, let’s keep on these prayers all the times, believing that God in His infinite mercy will listen to our prayers, give us peace, security and better the economy once more so that we can quickly rebuild and even do more for the country.”
“With the nation’s economy going down… We haven’t developed the agriculture, we’re still trying to talk on those who’ll come and develop the solid mineral for us. It’s no news that we are the biggest country in Africa, we’re the economy engine of Africa, which are true by the way.
But, we must always be patriotic in our dealings with others. It strengthens our resolve to build our country to make it stronger and to make sure that the incoming generations are sufficiently motivated to be patriotic.”
While commending Yakubu Gowon, former head of state, for striving to preserve the unity of the country, the president urged militants and those agitating for Biafra republic to ruminate on the civil war in which over two million lives were lost.
“We have to reflect on the historical antecedent to appreciate what is before us now and what we intend to leave for our children and our grandchildren. The militants in their various homes need to reflect very seriously on what happened between 1967 and 1970.
About two millions Nigerians lost their lives. And at that time, as young military officers, you hardly heard of anything about petroleum or whatever money you got from it.”
Look at what General Gowon said:
“To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done’ and every soldier whether he has been to school or not knew what the General meant.”
“But, we were quarreling with our brothers, we were not fighting an enemy and then somebody is saying that once again he wants Biafra. I think this is because he was not born when there was Biafra.”