Lai on 2019: Nigerians are not going back to Egypt

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has urged Nigerians to resist the temptation of voting for those who will return the country to throes of massive looting, come 2019 elections.

Mohammed made the appeal on Tuesday in a Sallah message delivered at his hometown, Oro, near Ilorin in Kwara.

“The year 2019 is the year of decision for Nigeria,” he said.

“It is the year that the critical decision will be made as to whether Nigeria will continue along the path of development, in all ramifications (social, economic, political, etc), that this administration has embarked upon since 2015, or the country will retrogress and backslide to the throes of massive and primitive looting and lack of development.”

Mohammed appealed to Nigerians to be vigilant, adding that the gains made by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the past three years must be preserved.

“Nigeria must continue on its present trajectory to sustainable growth and development. Never again must we go back to Egypt.”

The minister expressed optimism that with the support of the people, the 2019 elections would be a walkover for Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: “As we approach this critical fork on the road, I have no iota of doubt that the good people of Nigeria will choose the path of development, having seen the commitment, sincerity and patriotism of this administration.

“It is clear, from all indications, that Nigerians are not going back to Egypt. Because of the support of the people, our party will win, even with a wider margin in 2019, thus sealing the fate of the naysayers.”

He said the APC government was putting the country firmly on the path of sustainable growth and development in all areas, including infrastructure, economy, agriculture and the fight against corruption.

“While the trend in Nigeria had been to put money in the pocket of a few to the detriment of the masses, this administration has embarked on a massive redistribution of the nation’s wealth,” he said.

“Never again will a privileged few corner the nation’s commonwealth! The nation’s resources are being spent for the benefit of the people.”