The National Security Adviser (NSA), AIG Nuhu Ribadu (rtd)’s damning assessment of the Muhammadu Buhari administration has set tongues wagging.
The Herald had reported that Ribadu accused the previous administration of leaving Nigeria bankrupt, with the incumbent administration of Bola Tinubu having no funds to run the country.
Speaking at an armed forces conference in Abuja on Monday, the NSA said, “Yes, we’re facing budgetary constraints. It is okay for me to tell you. Fine, it is important for you to know that we inherited a difficult situation, literally a bankrupt country, no money, to a point where we can say that all the money we’re getting now, we’re paying back what was taken. It is serious!”
Ribadu is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) like his principal, President Tinubu, and former President Buhari.
His comments have elicited diverse reactions from Nigerians on social media, majority of whom said it confirmed the APC’s inability to salvage the nation’s dwindling fortunes.
A Labour Party (LP) supporter, @firstladyship tweeted, “Nuhu Ribadu is saying that Buhari Regime looted Nigeria to oblivion. Tinubu’s Camp speak in tongues, as if Bubu & Bola are no longer twins? What are they not telling us? The Blame Games is now approaching gear 2. I expect Mallam Garbu Shehu & Adamu Garba to give Bayo Onanuga & FFK’s Camp a robust response. ”
Aliyu Abdullahi Gunigi wrote, “You people should be bold enough and blame Buhari as he did to Jonathan.”
@iykimo wrote, “APC leaders and supporters knew GMB ‘bankrupted’ Nigeria yet they voted BAT to come and continue the profligate spending 😂. I don’t blame Ribadu. He’s been rewarded. It’s the people who voted BAT for free that are stupid.”
@emmaikumeh, “Is Nuhu Ribadu criticising the former APC administration or what? Why the lamentations? I am very confused as to what end Nuhu Ribadu is lamenting. We will be waiting for Bashir Ahmed and Garba Shehu to respond on behalf of the former administration.”
@Shehusky wrote, “Nuhu Ribadu knew that the APC had looted Nigeria dry but still campaigned for APC to retain power in 2023. He’s now faking lamentation after securing his bag as the NSA to Tinubu. Nuhu Ribadu is a Hushpuppi in agbada and cap.”
@emuvee wrote, “This guy has personal issues with former President Buhari. I’ll advise him to leave politics alone, and face his job.”
@VladimirJimada wrote, “Just Imagine people that removed subsidy on PMS & floated the naira and still did a Supplementary budget of over 2trillion naira. Still complaining of bankruptcy. If this man doesn’t Know the scope of NSA he should just tell PBAT to transfer him out of the Villa.”
@jollynony wrote, “Buhari looted Nigeria so bad that there’s absolutely no money for frivolities like education and health. Only basic essentials like yachts and SUVs are affordable – Nuhu Ribadu”