President Muhammadu Buhari loves to tell everyone how empty the treasury was when he took over the reins.
In July, 2015, the President recounted a rather gloomy picture of the state of affairs when he assumed duties as the nation’s number one citizen.
“This culture of 100 days is bringing so much pressure with treasury virtually empty, with debts in millions of dollars; with state workers and even federal workers not paid their salaries…it is such a disgrace for Nigeria. I think Nigeria should be in a position to even pay its workers.
“This bad management that we find ourselves in, we really need your help…..” , Buhari lamented.
Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, was quick to push back on claims that he left an empty treasury.
“Nigeria is a fairly robust economy,” Jonathan said, barely believing his own words.
“But sometimes, we over politicize some issues and make it look so bad. It was not that bad. Some people ask questions like I was the President of Nigeria since independence; I was the President for five years.
“It is not true; there is no way that Buhari would have inherited an empty treasury and at the same time give bailout to the states. It’s not possible,” Jonathan flared.
Jonathan also predicted that he’s going to be investigated and possibly tried for the wanton corruption that was perpetrated during his reign.
“Of course, obviously, I would be investigated. In fact, I am being investigated. Investigations are going on. I would not want to make certain comments because government is working,” said the erstwhile President.
Buhari’s media aides and Ministers have also wasted little time in telling Nigerians how bare the treasury was when they unpacked their wares into the Villa.
On Thursday, November 3, 2016, President Buhari went down that ’empty treasury lane’ again.
According to the President, he almost took to his heels when an empty treasury stared him in the face upon assumption of office.
Said Buhari: “Actually, I felt like absconding because 27 out of 36 states in Nigeria couldn’t pay salaries and we know they have no other source than to depend on salaries.
“And I asked: ‘any savings?’ I was told there was no savings. And I asked : what have you done on agriculture, power, rail, roads? Nothing. You know more than I do because you move around. I have not been moving around since after elections but you do. How many of the Trunk A roads are still good enough? How much power do we have, although there are some elements of sabotage?
“I was told the money was used to import food and fuel. I didn’t believe the answer and I still don’t believe it”.
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