…His visit is for votes, not to sympathize with the people of the States on their loses – Fayose
Finally, Nigeria`s President Mohammadu Buhari decided to visit communities engulfed terrorist attacks, criminal activities and communal clashes. His visit is coming after months of ignoring calls to visit these regions which have witnessed more over 200 deaths and mass burials.
Buhari`s decision to visit was disclosed in a press release issued by Femi Adesina on Monday.
The statement reads: “In view of recent terrorist attacks, criminal activities and communal clashes in some States leading to tragic loss of lives and kidnapping of 110 schoolgirls, President Muhammadu Buhari immediately tasked the Armed Forces and other Security agencies to compile comprehensive reports on the various incidents.”
“Having received and studied the Reports, the President has decided to undertake an on the spot assessment of the various occurrences and to meet and console the communities affected.”
“From today, March 5, he will visit Taraba, and subsequently Benue, Yobe, Zamfara and Rivers States.
President Buhari has been receiving daily briefings, and has been in constant touch with the Governors, and has been updated with situation reports.”
“The President calls on all Nigerians especially those in the affected areas to cooperate fully with the Security Agencies to enable them curb the spate of crimes, bring those responsible to justice and prevent further occurrences.”
Fayose: Buhari’s visit to Taraba, Benue, others is afterthought, “it’s to seek for votes, not to show sympathy”
However, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Taraba and planned visit to Benue, Zamfara, Yobe and Rivers states, which have recorded different forms of killings this year as afterthought, saying; “Obviously, the
President is more concerned about his reelection in 2019 and his visit to those States that he abandoned during their times of trouble is to
seek for votes, not to sympathize with the people of the States on their loses.”
Governor Fayose likened President Buhari to a selfish king who went on making merry while his people were in agony only to show up when the people had already buried their loved ones that were gruesomely murdered, gotten over their anguish and moved on with their lives.
In a statement issued by Monday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said it was the height of cruelty that the same President Buhari, who promised to lead from the front in the fight against Boko Haram could not visit Dapchi, Yobe State where 110 school girls were abducted by the insurgents, elected to go on merry making in Kano.
“On January 9 and 12, this year, 88 victims of herdsmen attacks were given mass burial in Taraba State. Also on January 11, 2018, another
73 persons killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Benue State were buried in a mass grave in Makurdi, the state capital.
“Meaning that in Taraba and Benue States alone, 161 Nigerians were given mass burial within three days! This never caught the attention
of our President. Rather, it was a visit to Nasarawa, a neighboring State to Benue that was important to him.
“To further demonstrate his lack of compassion for Nigerians, while the entire nation, especially parents of the 110 abducted school girls
in Dapchi, Yobe State are still in anguish, President Buhari went to Kano last Saturday to attend a social function, thus sparking negative
reactions from Nigerians.
“Apparently, it was the negative reactions of Nigerians, especially on Social Media and the effects on the President’s reelection bid that
necessitated his hurried visit to Taraba State today, and planned visits to Benue, Zamfara, Yobe and Rivers States.
“I am sure the people of Taraba State won’t be hoodwinked by the President’s cosmetic sympathy, show of concern and crocodile tears,
which he never bordered to shed when hundreds of indigenes of the State were being killed by suspected herdsmen,” the governor said.
While declaring the visits as belated and afterthought, Governor Fayose said; “Nigerians can no longer be deceived by a President who
never cared for them when they needed him most. Therefore, no amount of hurriedly organized campaign visits will sway the people, who never saw the President to protect them from being killed and console them when they lost their dear ones.”
