Oyegun: APC Needs N4.1trn to Stabilise Government

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, has said that the incoming administration of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari will need N4.1 trillion to offset outstanding salaries of workers at the federal and state levels, service debts incurred by the outgoing administration and also to offset petrol subsidy payments already imported given that the Jonathan government may have already abandoned subsidy payments.

Oyegun, who was speaking at a two-day retreat for APC senators-elect in Abuja on Saturday, lamented the state of the economy, urging Nigerians to show understanding since the expected change in the state of things would not happen overnight.

Oyegun said there is no magic wand to make the economy better overnight. Against the realities on the ground, the party chairman said reviving our economy will be a long and tortuous process.

“Make no mistake about it, the days ahead will be tough, and this is not crying wolf. From the first day of this government, a total of N4.1 trillion will be required for sundry expenses, including oil subsidy payment, arrears of salaries at federal and state levels and debt servicing, just to mention a few, " he said.

Oyegun, however gave an assurance that with an APC government, things would surely get better.

He said, "Bold decisions will need to be taken, and this can only be possible if there is a synergy among our party, the National Assembly and the President. We know you will not fail us, and you will not fail Nigerians.”

Speaking further, he said: “Put this against the background of the falling oil prices, the unprecedented $60-billion debt which the outgoing government has left for the incoming one, the largely depleted Excess Crude Account (ECA), the $60 billion that have been lost in the last four years to crude oil theft (and which are perhaps still being lost as we speak), the need to rapidly create jobs for our teeming army of unemployed youths, enhance the security of the citizenry and improve the economy, and you will begin to understand the enormity of the challenges ahead.

“This is not a lamentation forum, but still, we must tell ourselves the truth about the state of the nation, and the expectations of our people.

“In fact, to a number of our compatriots, by May 30, a day after the swearing of our president-elect, all the streets in Nigeria will be air conditioned while electricity will become stable and fuel scarcity will be a thing of the past.”

Directing his attention to the party's senators-elect, Oyegun said , “You, our senators-elect, will be called upon to take extraordinary actions to address the extraordinary challenges that confront our nation.

“The incoming president, more than anyone else, needs the support and cooperation of the Eighth national assembly to fulfil his campaign promise to Nigerians.

“You may be required to pass important bills at very short notices. This will not be unprecedented but will require a buy-in to the programmes of the president and the party and willingness to work with him and the party for the benefit of all Nigerians. The demands on you will be tasking, but you are up to the task!

“Fortunately we have the numbers, even though we believe that a bipartisan effort - to which we are open - will be a better deal. And there is good news! You, our Senators-elect, share in the dreams of the President and our party to make our country great again.

“May I also remind you that all eyes will be on our party - and by extension on all of you - to see if our government will walk its talk in terms of running a lean and effective government, one that eschews waste, corruption and indiscipline, and one that will harness the nation's human, material and natural resources for the well being of the people.

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar had while delivering a lecture at the retreat sued for executive-legislative harmony.

Atiku in his lecture titled 'The Party, Legislature and Executive in Nigeria's Democratic Consolidation' advised that Legislature should not see itself as an adversary or competitor to the Executive or try to use its authority to appropriate and carry out oversight to harass or intimidate members of the Executive arm.