By Starrys Obazei | May 26, 2023.
starrys@ddnewsonline.com
Kashim Shettima the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, has said that as a result of the myriad problems bedeviling the country, the starting point of his administration might not be rosy.
Pointing to the issue of subsidy removal and the multiple exchange rate system, among others, he said they have become serious challenges that the administration must surmount.
He spoke at the Jumat Prayer and Lecture held in Abuja on Friday as part of the activities lined up for the May 29 handover ceremony.
Shettima, speaking as a representative of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, at the event, said he was aware they were short on time, noting that delay might compound the deteriorating situation of the country.
“Tinubu is a fair-minded person. He will do justice to Nigeria irrespective of affiliation with political parties, religious and tribal backgrounds. We are united by our common heritage of poverty and insecurity among others.
This is time for all of us to form a collate into a single force.
“Ours is a great nation waiting to unleash its great potential to the world. China was once called a sleeping giant but today, China had woken up. Nigeria needs to wake up. We are calling on all of you to pray for us for God’s guidance. I want to assure you that Tinubu will hit the ground running.
“We do not have the luxury of time. The challenges facing us are getting worse. We are living in a pressing time. Rest assured that in the fullness of time, Nigerians will pay glow tributes to us. The starting point might not be rosy let me be very honest with you. Oil subsidy is albatross on our neck. The multiple exchange rate system is a drain on the national economy. There are certain decisions the president-elect will take but in the fullness of time, Nigerians will not only appreciate but also celebrate us,” Shettima said.
He, however, promised that women would be well represented and compensated in the incoming administration.
He said: “To my sisters, rest assured you will be well represented in the incoming administration. Not only this, I promise you, you will be well compensated.”
The president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), said the economic, security and other problems faced under his watch were a global phenomenon.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Buhari said the way Nigerians handled the problems showed that they surmounted other challenges.
He said: “The problems we have had within the economic, security, and social sectors are not peculiar to us. The potential is always there to make the country great. How we managed during COVID-19 and the Russian/Ukrainian war, among others, has shown how Nigerians can come out of difficult situations. ”
He urged Nigerians to put aside their differences in the polls and support the incoming administration.
Buhari said: “Elections have come and gone. Another set of leaders has been elected. It is our duty to give them the necessary cooperation to enable them to deliver their plans for transforming Nigeria. As citizens, we must turn our differences into our source of strength to enable progressive development. We must also strive to ensure peaceful coexistence, harmony, and respect for the rule of law. A solid foundation has been laid in the last administration for successive administrations to build on.”