AS expected under Nigeria’s democracy, two members of two different political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State viewed differently the implications of the recent frequent trips abroad of President Muhammadu Buhari, despite some pressing challenges facing the nation.
Alhaji Kayode Yusuf, a chieftain of the APC and Chief Kola Olawoy, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Kwara during different chats with The Guardian in Ilorin were at variance over Buhari’s penchant for overseas trips despite surrounding himself with capable aides he could have delegated some of the functions.
Yusuf queried why people should make a fuss over the President’s foreign trips. He said: “Is there any clause in Nigerian Constitution that states the number times a sitting President should travel abroad for official duties? Don’t forget that he was primarily elected by majority Nigerians to work for the advancement of Nigeria as a nation. Why then should his official functions abroad be an issue for discussion?
“Besides, why his predecessor (Goodluck Ebele Jonathan) sat back in Nigeria fighting insurgents operating under the name Boko Haram, Buhari on the assumption of office, commenced a relationship with the neighbouring countries sensitising them to the need to raise a multiple armies to fight the terror group. We are already seeing the results of such a laudable step.”
He added that no nation could afford to live in isolation of others under the modern socio-political and economic clime, noting that the romance with other nations would soonest begin to yield positive results to Nigerians.
“If these trips are for personal sightseeing or tourism using taxpayers money, then we could frown at the habits but for as long as they are official in nature, we should applaud him for dutifully discharging his constitutional roles.
“Have you forgotten the claims of some people during Buhari’s electioneering campaigns that the APC candidate as he was then called, was not medically fit and that he would not be able to discharge his duties as expected of him? He is proving them wrong now and some people are complaining again,” Yusuff who is also the Chairman Local Government Service Commission in Kwara noted.
In his views, Olawoye proverbially said only “a bad leader” would leave his house on fire for another country without first making adequate arrangements to put out the fire.
