No alternative to Buhari now – NUPENG

Th e Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), yesterday, said the jubilation that followed the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari, indicates the country has “no alternative to him now.” Chairman, South-west chapter of the union, Tokunbo Korodo, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that Nigerians were in happy mood with the arrival of the president. “We believe in our president, and I can tell you categorically that there is no alternative to Buhari in moving the country forward,” he said. According to him, the people came out immensely to welcome him, because they believed in him to turn around the ailing economy. “It is with happiness that Nigerians came to welcome their president, after 104 days in United Kingdom’s hospital.

Th e gesture showed by Nigerians is a sign that they believe in him and they have been praying for him to recover from the illness. “Th ey have hope in him that he is back to turn the country’s ailing economy round. Everybody is happy to receive the president back in the country.” While urging Buhari to continue with his good work, the union said, “our president should not relent in his eff ort at getting rid of corrupt Nigerians and also ensure that money recovered from treasury looters is pumped into the economy.” Our expectations – TUC In a related development, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has spoken of the peoples’ expectations of the returnee President Buhari, saying Nigerians expect to see positive development in all ramifi cations. Th e Congress, in a statement by the President, Comrade Bobbio Kaigama and Secretary General, Lawal Musa, said President Buhari and his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, must set the ball rolling “because it has not been well with the economy.” Th e statement further said the president’s recovery and safe return attest to the fact that Almighty God has a purpose for his life and the country, stressing that “not many will survive such ailment.” “It will be recalled that the president himself told the world few months ago that he has never been this sick before. In spite of all, he has continued to give it a fi ght and we wish him divine rejuvenation that would enable him steer the aff airs of the nation in the right direction. “Th is administration made a promise to return the glory of the country. Unfortunately it has been confronted with a number of challenges: the health challenge of the president, some unscrupulous characters in the ruling party and insecurity, corruption, etc. “As a progressive organisation, we wish to assure the President of our support and commitment towards ensuring his administration fulfi ls its promise to Nigerians.” TUC also commended the Vice President Osinbajo for leading the country eff ectively while the president was away. “Apart from the leadership prowess he has displayed while he acted, he has also shown there is a synergy between him and his boss. Th e Congress will like to appeal to all Nigerians to be patient and hopeful. Truly, it has not been well with the economy, coupled with the standard of living but we must keep hope alive.” On the recent attack on the offi ce of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Congress warned all those frustrating the agency’s “eff orts to desist, else they will incur the wrath of the masses.” Th e statement also urged the Commission not to be intimidated, adding that “now that the president is back, we expect to see positive development in all ramifi cations.” Gov Bello declares public holiday Meanwhile, Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has declared today as public holiday and thanksgiving day for President Buhari’s safe return . In a statement signed by the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the governor said the public holiday was to enable the people thank and appreciate Almighty God for the safe return of President Buhari in “sound health and sound mind.” According to him, the gesture was in line with the support of the Kogi people for the renaissance of the nation by the president. Th e statement, however, urged people of the state to also use the occasion of the public holiday to pray for the president as he “resumes his responsibilities of repositioning Nigeria.” On Saturday, many residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), thronged the major roads from airport to catch a glimpse of the president who had spent 104 days outside the country.

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