Buhari’s ‘Men’ Berate ASUU, Doctors Over Strike, MASSOB Leader Too

By Baron Ike
The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has berated the MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike for saying that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is marginalising the South East.
The BMSG said such comment is offensive and misleading.
Also the members have said that both members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) are insensitive of the plight of Nigerians.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Austin Braimoh and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the group said that Uwazuruike’s comments has proved that “he has been a master of deceit all the years he has operated as the leader of MASSOB”.
“We have observed the churlish, but apparently unsuccessful attempts by some individuals to confuse unsuspecting Nigerians with deliberately spawned narratives casting Buhari’s administration as one with scant regards for the development of the South East geo-political zone and the equitable consideration of the people of that region in political appointments and other political opportunities.
“The best way to treat characters like Uwazuruike is to totally disregard his voice of falsehood and propaganda since it has become evident that the Buhari administration means well for the South East,’’ the group said.
The group described Uwazuruike’s comments which he made during a media interview as delusional and unfounded as the Buhari administration has made the South East region a priority in its appointment and development agenda.
Putting the records straight, the group noted that three prominent Ministries which include Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment as well as Labour are being manned by Ministers from the South Eastern part of the country.
The group noted that in the past, very few governments made infrastructural development across the country a priority but that the present administration has not just shown the political will to correct that deficit, but has put its money where its mouth is by beginning unprecedented infrastructural development projects across the nation.
BMSG further observed that the Buhari administration has commenced the construction, maintenance and reconstruction of major roads networks in the South east which were abandoned over the years.
Apart from the road projects, the group said that the construction of the second Niger Bridge which was abandoned by previous administrations has commenced.
“Besides, we are all witnesses to the affirmative action taken by the President in diffusing the growing tension over the matter of ill-advised quit notice by a group of Arewa youths to the Igbos.
“The President was characteristically assertive in the management of the growing imbroglio which threatened the very existence of the country at that time,’’ BMSG said.
The group therefor advised Nigerians to be cautious of divisive personalities who are in the business of fueling hatred and division along ethnic and religious divides, noting that President Buhari is committed to a united Nigeria.
Meanwhile, BMSG has described the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) as insensitive to the current economic realities in the country, a situation that has led to their embarking on the current industrial actions.
In another statement issued by the group, the BMSG wondered why the two unions would proceed on a strike without considering the economic situation in the country at present.
“The economic realities of the country today do not support the frivolous manner with which some workers’ unions in the country embark on industrial actions.”
“We view the strike actions by the two unions as unpatriotic and capable of worsening the plight of Nigerian students and needy patients who are yearning for their services.”
The BMSG noted that such important unions ought to weigh the impact of their actions on the citizens at all times, bearing in mind the wider implications they can have on the polity.
“We, therefore, urge ASUU and NARD to immediately call off the strike and exhaust the dialogue options with the federal government,” the BMSG said, adding that the federal government has shown good faith in the approach it has adopted in handling the issues, and appealed to the unions to reciprocate the gesture in the interest of all Nigerians.