The Presidency has said the support base of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is still enormous, insisting that those complaining of the present tough times are in the minority.
It has, therefore, urged those complaining to be patient with the present administration as it is making efforts to correct the wrongs of the past.
Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said this when he featured on a phone-in programme on Raypower 100.5FM in Abuja, yesterday.
Adesina said living in the midst of the people and feeling their pulse regularly, those working in government can conclude that those critising Buhari were in the minority. “Yes, you need to give me the statistics of those complaining. We (government officials) are in the midst of the people and we can feel the pulse of the people. I maintain that the people who are complaining are in the minority. I can tell you that the support base of this government is still enormous. Yes, we know some people are complaining but, they are still in the minority.”
The presidential spokesman reiterated that in 18-months, Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of government’s efforts to revamp the economy. Adesina further stressed that the waste that characterised the past administration is responsible for the nation’s current problems.
“To every action, there is a reaction. To every action, there is a consequence. Before the present administration, crude oil sold for as high as $140 per barrel. Where is that money?
“We do not know what that money was used for. It was wasted, it went into private pockets and now we are seeing the consequences.
“The people have to be patient, the economy is being retooled and it will surely be. The President has said it that in 18 months, the economy will begin to be retooled. Why can’t they wait 18 months to two years?” he asked.
Adesina assured Nigerians that the change promised them by the Buhari’ss administration would come, but not through magic.
“Even if we do economic restructuring now, will it be a magic wind? We will still have to wait. So I am imploring all Nigerians to please wait because the change that has been promised will come but it is not a magic wind.
Change is a process, we will go through that process and we will get there”.
The Presidential Spokesman re-echoed Buhari’s promise that, monies recovered from those who looted public treasury would be spent on the development of infrastructure.