By Muhammadu Sabiu
Garba Shehu, the spokesperson for former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, defended the administration’s record while addressing ongoing criticism in a statement released on Wednesday.
Shehu acknowledged that while the Buhari government may have made some decisions that were questioned, he emphasised that the former president’s intentions were always aimed at achieving positive change.
Shehu pointed out that the administration took several significant steps to combat corruption during its eight years in power.
Notable initiatives included the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPS).
These measures were aimed at improving transparency and financial accountability within the government. Despite these accomplishments, Shehu acknowledged that the Buhari government faced criticism from various quarters.
He stated, “There has not been a single area that had not been touched by the Buhari government. We have seen massive positive changes in the last eight years.”
However, he compared critics to individuals pretending to be asleep, implying that they were resistant to acknowledging the government’s achievements.
Shehu also addressed allegations of corruption within the administration, asserting that those who criticized the government were often motivated by resentment over lost opportunities.
He made a specific reference to a Buhari “critic” who had served as a military governor in a northern state, suggesting that even his underwear had been procured using government funds.
The statement further highlighted the administration’s stance on curbing wasteful spending and emphasised that President Buhari had declared that “no more free money.”
Shehu argued that money allocated to National Security Agencies was intended for security purposes and should not be misappropriated.
Shehu concluded that President Buhari had fulfilled his part and would be judged by history. He expressed confidence that history would judge the former President fairly.