The Democratic Front (TDF) has dismissed claims by Bauchi Governor Bala Muhammed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been prioritising politics above governance.
He made the assertion on a recent TV interview where he argued that the development-focused policies of the federal government have not been impactful.
But in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF noted that the Bauchi governor was playing politics with his claims.
It said: “Nigerians are witnesses to the consistent deployment of economic policies and interventions by President Bola Tinubu since assuming office till date so we wondered how the Bauchi state governor arrived at his jaundiced position that the government had been giving more priorities to politics.
”For us, this is perhaps the first time that a President will prioritise governance and policy deployment when he announced the removal of petroleum subsidy, and ensured the unification of multiple foreign exchange rates, even before making key political appointments.
”The Democratic Front can easily recall how President Tinubu outlined the economy as the major consideration of his administration when he told a visiting delegation of ‘The Patriots’ led by Emeka Anyaoku, which demanded priority for political restructuring.
”As a sitting Governor, we expect Bala Muhammed to know that a government that prioritises politics above governance will not easily consider taking the unpopular step of removing fuel, knowing the immediate harsh effect it would have on the citizenry.
”Some of those policies have led to the current surge in national revenue, a deceleration of inflationary pressure and an increased foreign reserve in the last two years.
”We have also seen how states are getting more funds from the centre as a result of the Tinubu reforms without complaints from any state governments, including those controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to which the governor belongs.
”In addition, there has been an outpouring of commendations and positive assessments on the nation’s economy, by leading global economic and ratings organisations like the World Bank, IMF, IFC, Fitch, Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s (S&P), as an attestation to how the Tinubu administration has been faring.”
The group added that if the President had been prioritising politics, he would never have considered taking steps that even PDP administrations were scared of
”Coming from a party that is largely adrift as a result of internal issues, we are of the view that Governor Muhammed was cynically biased in his opinion of President Tinubu, who risked his political popularity to implement painful, but necessary economic reforms to make life better for the average Nigerian.
”No President who prioritises politics above governance will attempt such a risky political route.
”The governor is, however, not the only politician from the opposition ranks who is scared of the administration’s record of performance.
”We believe that the stability of the economy as seen in the 2024 GDP growth of 3.13%, a steady rise in foreign exchange reserve, and robust international partnerships in Agriculture Livestock, and ICT sectors as well as the upward trajectory in non-oil exports amongst others, have tremendously boosted the political rating of President Tinubu.
”There is also the belief that it has thrown the opposition into a state of confusion and disarray, over what argument to advance in campaigning against the President,” the statement added.
TDF calls on Nigerians to ignore Governor Muhammed’s insinuations and remain resolute in their support for the Tinubu administration based on its commitment to placing the country on the path of sustainable development.
End
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