Not Yet Time To Celebrate Buhari --NLC cautions

The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has congratulated
Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on his victory at the presidential
election but the labour union warns that the time for celebration is
not now.

The Chairman of the Oyo NLC chapter, Bashir Olanrewaju, who spoke at
an event organised by human rights group, Amilcar Cabral Ideological
School, in Ibadan on Wednesday, said the President-elect was
surrounded by corrupt personalities.

Olanrewaju said that Buhari's personality as an upright person and
fighter of corruption, was what endeared him to the voters but that
the President-elect had around him people who acquired wealth through
corrupt means.

According to Olanrewaju said such people could erase the gains
expected from Buhari's victory.

Also, human rights crusader, Femi Aborisade, who was also at the
event, said he had studied the manifesto of Buhari's All Progressives
Congress but spotted no difference between the party and the defeated
Peoples Democratic Party.

He added that in an attempt to actualise governance in his own way,
Buhari might encounter problems with the party and some of the people
who spearheaded his campaign and emergence.

Olanrewaju reminded Nigerians that some of the challenges that Buhari
would face included a deeply-rooted corrupt system, dwindling national
income and an economy hinged on dictation from the western powers.

He said, "We congratulate Buhari on his victory at the poll but we are
not sure that there is much hope to celebrate by the masses. Buhari
told Nigerians that he had no money to buy form but have we forgotten
that those who bought his form and funded his campaign will be around
him when he begins his rule? They will demand for a return.

"Despite the dwindling oil price, there is evidence of stealing of
petroleum products. This is a system that Buhari will inherit. Did we
ask him during his campaign if he will increase civil servants' wages
or reduce the work force? Did we put ourselves in a good bargaining
position when he was canvassing for our votes? We did not ask those
questions, we only wanted change."
--PUNCH