Mixed reactions trail president’s speech

The nationwide address by President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday has continued to elicit mixed reactions.

Former Minister of Education Dr Oby Ezekwesili described the president’s broadcast as a case of missed opportunity.

“I can give an instant Citizen's feedback to President @MBuhari that his Speech this morning was a a terrible case of MISSED OPPORTUNITY,” she wrote on her twitter page.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through its chapters in Niger and Kaduna states, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s nationwide broadcast denouncing inflammatory statements capable of causing chaos in the country.





In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, Rev. Mathias Echioda, the state CAN chairman, also commended the President’s resoluteness that the country’s unity was not negotiable.

In Kaduna, Secretary CAN in the state, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, said the president’s national broadcast rekindled the hope of Nigerians for the better.

“Our greatest challenges as a nation are: Insecurity, Herdsmen Farmers clash, Boko Haram, Niger Delta militants, Bado, kidnappings and agitations here and there.

“If Mr President would match his words with action and address the issues he raised in his broadcast, I assure you, Nigeria will be a better place for all,” he said.

National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP) Dr Yunusa Tanko said “I think it is no more time for words; it is time for action. Nigerians have shown love, they have prayed for Buhari and welcomed him in large number. It is now payback time for Nigerians. People are talking about hunger, economy, security and unity of the country which is paramount.”

Former Rivers council chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Mr Chika Onuegbu, described the broadcast as “mature and well-intended.’’