Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has once again rated the Muhammadu Buhari administration low on intervention security and foreign direct investment, saying that a lot is desired if the country were to impact reasonably on its citizenry.
Obasanjo disclosed this at a virtual parley of former heads of state at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari on 23rd October 2020, following the state broadcast to address the shooting of peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate area of Lagos and other forms of violence that ensured.
The former military and civilian leader quoted by Presidential aide on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina in a statement released on Thursday warned that the country needs heavy local and international investments to make laudable impact.
He said, “Let me commend your speech of last night, which the nation had been waiting for. You made points that I believe need to be commended. You said peaceful protests were part of democratic practice. You also indicated that the demands of the genuine protesters had been accepted, and you were working on implementation.”
The former President said the activities of hoodlums who hijacked the protests should be condemned, “as they took away the protests from those who initially planned them.”
On the job and economic situation in the country, he said the interventions being made were good, but not far-reaching enough for a population of 200 million people.
“We need heavy local and international investments to make the impact we need to make. Our Foreign Direct Investment is inadequate. And we need to get better results in security, so that the investments can come,” he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, General Abdulsalami Abubakar talked about the need for intelligence gathering and synergy among the security agencies, whom he says should avoid “multiple mandates.”
He canvassed more interaction with the international community, so that they can adequately understand what is going on in Nigeria.
“Funding of security agencies should also be looked into, while the media should be adequately engaged,” the former head of state added.