In a meeting with the members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House, Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari mentioned this statement.
He condemned the Boko Haram group and its ideology, which abhors Western education — a “fraudulent plot” designed to “destroy Nigeria.”
Buhari’s comments come just two days after he alleged a “deliberate plot” to destroy the country—which failed.
President Buhari claimed that the Nigerian Armed Forces have drastically weakened Boko Haram since 2015.
He said, “I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both states, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation had improved since 2015, especially in Borno State.
“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually.”
In a statement signed Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the Nigerian leader promised to further improve security during his administration and reposition the economy before leaving office.
In his talk, the president stressed that the government is now focused on rebuilding infrastructure and re-orienting education in northeastern Nigeria.
He also promised that he would do everything possible to ensure continued economic growth, before handing over power on May 29, 2023.
“I am very grateful for your visit to the Presidential Villa, and I agree with you on some of the observations you have made. The question of insecurity is most important to us because unless a country or institution is at peace, it will be difficult to manage.
“I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both states, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation had improved since 2015, especially in Borno State.
“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually,’’ he said.
In his meeting with Catholic bishops, Buhari said the government will continue rebuilding infrastructure in areas of the country that were attacked by terrorists but stressed that no part of Nigeria is under terrorist control.
The President said regarding the economy of the country, creditors had full confidence in Nigeria's ability to utilize resources and repay loans before giving the country approval for additional borrowing.
“We are credible, that’s why the countries and institutions agreed to support our development with the loans,’’ he stated.
He said that the destruction of oil facilities had reduced government income, and he vowed to crack down harder on saboteurs.
He believes that the challenges Nigeria has faced in the past—such as coup attempts and civil war—have prepared it for survival.
“If you look at the economy, we are trying hard to rely more on ourselves. Nigerians rely more on agriculture for livelihood, and we are putting in our best to enable more people, and diversify.”
“We thank God that Nigeria is still one,’’ he said. “We should not forget that more than a million died for the nation to survive,” he noted.
During his speech, the president of the delegation and head of Nigeria's Christian Association, Lucius Ugorji, praised President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting electoral reforms that have made elections more stable and fair.
Ugorji told the President to insist on an independent electoral commission, which would ensure credible elections in February and March.
“Please do not relent in making sure that INEC and other relevant agencies of government carry out their serious duties to conduct peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections,’’ he said.
Ugorji also urged the President to make tackling insecurity and improving the economy his priorities before stepping down from office.
“The main crux of our message to you today is one of fervent appeal and strong encouragement. Your tenure of two terms as President, Commander-In-Chief of Nigeria, is drawing to an end. But we believe a lot can be done to turn things around for the better in the about four months left of your presidency before you step down in May 2023,” the cleric added.
