The Labour Party (LP) has reacted to the inaugural speech delivered by President Mohammadu Buhari, at the inauguration ceremony held last Friday, describing it as vague, not direct and disappointing.
A statement signed yesterday in Abuja by the National Secretary of the party, Barrister Kayode Ajulo, acknowledged the president mentioned that he will tackle rot in the power sector, but he never said how.
According to the statement, the speech also failed to clarify in simple terms how corruption will be tackled despite directing Army Command to move to Maidiguri to overrun the outlawed religious sect, Boko-Haram, a decision which is quite commendable.
“Another intrigue that his speech has triggered was the fact that nothing was mentioned by this nascent government on foreign policy or bilateral relations as the case may be, despite having over 40 foreign leaders as his listening audience.
“I thought the focus would have been on strengthening existing law-enforcement capabilities, constitutional crisis, improving socio-economic conditions and redeeming (all or few) of the promises made during the electioneering campaigns and giving us the workable models through which these could be achieved, honestly Nigeria is expectant.
“Agreed, the President’s speech could not have covered every conceivable issue; however, the commander-in-chief cannot brush these issues aside because all key stakeholders want to hear from him, it is from him that they take their cue respectively.
“There cannot be sustainable growth, higher productivity, job creation or economic development in a crime-infested environment, where businesses cannot operate around the clock, or where labour cannot move freely around or get rewarded. The crime situation is symptomatic of a deeper social issue; we need to pay keen attention and do all we can at the highest level to tame and correct the causation.”
The party therefore said President Buhari needs to be reminded that election campaigns are over as he still sounded as if he’s still wooing electorates for votes.