The economy mustn’t crash again, says Secondus on ‘delay’ of Buhari’s cabinet

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to avoid driving the country into another recession with his “know-it-all attitude”.

Speaking with PUNCH on Monday, Uche Secondus, national chairman of the party, asked Buhari to constitute his cabinet as soon as possible, warning that delay might affect the economy negatively.

He said it was disheartening that Buhari is yet to name his ministers more than three months after he was declared winner of the presidential election.

He added that a similar delay had plunged the economy into recession in 2015.

Nigeria had slipped into a recession in 2016 but bounced back a year later.

“We in the opposition believe vehemently that we won the presidential election. This is the reason we are contesting the outcome of the election at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal,” he said.

“However, having being declared the winner (of the February 23 poll), and also sworn in for a second term, the President ought to have realised his many mistakes of the past.

“By now the list of his ministers ought to have been submitted to the senate for consideration. Nigerians should tell the president that he should not run the country into recession again.

“He did so when he assumed office in 2015. That time, he was behaving like a sole administrator, carrying on as if he was a military head of state. Economists and members of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria recently warned that the economy is still very fragile.  The president should not crash it.”

The PDP chief called on “eminent leaders of thought” and other Nigerians to discuss with Buhari in order to prevent an economic crash that might occur.

He also advised Buhari to follow the “standard laid” by former President Olusegun Obasanjo which, according to him, led to the country’s debt forgiveness from the Paris Club.

“Nigeria is blessed with talented individuals everywhere in the world. Recall how President Olusegun Obasanjo was able to bring different people together in his government. That action was what led to the debt forgiveness the nation got from the Paris Club,” he said.

“Obasanjo was also able to stabilise the economy. President Buhari should do the same by waking up. The country cannot  continue to drift under his leadership.”