You Frighten Me By Your Assessment Of Buhari’s Govt, Osinbajo Tells Cleric
VPresident Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, said he became frightened when a preacher said only those in power were enjoying, saying it was not true because the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has done its best for Nigerians.
In his sermon during the burial service for Mrs. Moroluke Fakoyede, mother of the Secretary to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, held at Saint Luke’s Anglican Church, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday, the cleric-in-charge, Rev. Matthew Ayorinde Ajao, expressed disappointment at the way some leaders were piloting the affairs of the country, lamenting that apart from the increasing scourge of poverty, Nigerians were not enjoying all the basic amenities that could improve their wellbeing.
He said: “Nigerians are suffering. We are not enjoying anything. No light, no good road, no improved health facilities and others. Government must empower the poor, not the one where you used to give generating sets to people without anything they will use them to power.
“Some are very rich, they have everything, but not blessed by heaven. They will gain the whole earth, but they won’t get to heaven. The money and connections you have here won’t fight for you in heaven. If you are a very powerful person and you are being guarded by security, they won’t follow you to the grave… “Those in positions of authorities have access to everything, but not to the people. That was why they are not getting the right advice. One day, everybody will die. Before then, try and wash yourselves in the blood of the lamb. Everything will still wind up, so obey the commandments of God.”
The cleric, who quoted from the book of Revelation in the Bible, appealled to Nigerian leaders to always put their trust in God and work for the people, rather than themselves.
But Osinbajo, who was apparently displeased with the homily, said the Buhari administration could have achieved much for the country, but for those he described as saboteurs working against the government.
He stated that the administration inherited a debilitated and debased economy from the immediate past administration, saying this had actually prevented some of the steps taken by Buhari to manifest on the wellbeing of the poor Nigerians. Osinbajo said: “This country requires everybody to be on board to work hard. I belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party that belongs to Chief Obafemi Awolowo. It is not true that Buhari doesn’t know how to govern. It is not because we have not done enough. There are saboteurs and many fifth columnists working against us. But, we are going to triumph. “I became frightened when the man of God said only those of us in powers are enjoying. This is not true. We have done our best for Nigerians.
“The concern of the President and APC and those of us in his government is for Nigeria to move forward, and we shall achieve this. All the good social investment programmes, such as
the N-power and others, will soon start to bear fruits and manifest. We are all going to benefit from Buhari’s administration.”
He praised the late Mrs. Fakoyede for her honesty, saying her good deeds shall continue to bear good fruits in the lives of her children.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, said Mrs. Fakoyede worked very hard and that the generations yet unborn would continually remember her for being caring, painstaking and honest. Represented by the member representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, Ibrahim Olanrewaju, the Speaker expressed condolences to the family, praying God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of the highly respectable community leader.
Dignitaries at the event include Governor Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Muiz Banire (SAN), Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba, among others.