By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria)– Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), a northern Nigerian pressure organization, has challenged the Buhari Media Support Group, BMSG, of being economical with the true situation of Nigerians, saying the group is aloof and has failed to recognize the sufferings that Nigerian Masses are facing.
Buhari Support Group had in a statement signed by one Austin Braimoh and Cassidy Madueke, Chairman and Secretary respectively advised members of Arewa Youth Forum to liaise with the National Bureau of Statistics and other relevant agencies of government to update their knowledge with facts and figures, as they relate to the performance of government in various sectors, so as to make better informed decisions.
The Forum said Buhari Group should recognize the fact that the reality on ground today in Nigeria is different from statistics churned out by the National Bureau of Statistics, saying that asking them to work with statistics is a disservice to ordinary Nigerians.
A statement by AYF and signed by Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, said president Buhari and his wife are aware of the situation in the country, hence their recent comments on recession and Aso Rock clinic respectively.
AYF said, “As a grassroots organization that believes in the ideals propagated by President Muhammadu Buhari like many Nigerians, we know that statistics do not translate to three square meals a day for ordinary Nigerians. We challenge the group to tell us whether they are happy with the state of affairs in the country.
“To underscore the plight of Nigerians that we have been grappling with, the First Lady recently came out to expose the rot in Aso Villa Clinic, in spite of billions voted for the hospital that is meant for the first family and other elites in the vicinity. Only God knows what the rest of Nigerians have been going through. This are the type of situations the President needs to rise up and address.
“But because the Buhari support group is in Abuja frolicking with those in power that are found of rolling out statistics that are not in tandem with the situation on ground, they failed to see what the people are facing.”
The statement added, “This is why we can boldly tell the BMSG and their co travellers that as grassroots people their statistics and the realities on ground are poles apart and this administration should buckle up and start living up to its responsibilities. Except the BMSG wants to tell Nigerians that this is the best President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, (APC) can offer and all is well in the land.
“AYF also wants to remind BMSG that Mr. President himself is not unaware of the predicament of Nigerians and that is why when the National Bureau of Statistics announced that the country is out of recession, the president announced that he would not rest until the living standard of the people is improved.
“We therefore advised the group to go to work and support President Muhammadu Buhari to elevate the living standards of the people as fiction is different from reality. Because if they are aloof, Buhari is aware that Nigerians are suffering.
“Ours was a move aimed at exposing the truth that the ordinary Nigerian is going through, with the view that those saddled with the responsibility of improving the quality of life of the people will not be carried away by the diatribe of cronies, hangers on and political puppeteers who have clearly failed in their duty to assist Mr. President in salvaging the country from the present mess.”