You’re Economical With Truth – AYF Tells Buhari Group

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) has accused the Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) of being economical with the truth about current situation in the country.

It said regrettably the BMSG is aloof and has failed to recognize that Nigerians are suffering and going through economic hardship like never before.

The BMSG had in a statement by Austin Braimoh and Cassidy Madueke, Chairman and Secretary respectively, urged AYF members to liaise with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and other relevant government agencies to update their knowledge with facts and figures as it relates to the performance of government in various sectors so as to make better informed decisions.  

But in its response, AYF said BMSG should recognize that the reality on ground in Nigeria today is different from statistics churned out by the NBS, saying that asking them to work with statistics is a huge disservice to ordinary Nigerians. 

The AYF’s statement said President Buhari and his wife are aware of the real situation in the country, hence their recent comments on recession and Aso Rock clinic respectively. 

“As a grassroots organization that believes in the ideals propagated by President Muhammadu Buhari like many Nigerians, we know that statistics do not translate to three square meals a day for ordinary Nigerians. We challenge the group to tell us whether they are happy with the state of affairs in the country. 

“To underscore the plight of Nigerians that we have been grappling with, the First Lady recently came out to expose the rot in Aso Villa Clinic, in spite of billions voted for the hospital that is meant for the first family and other elites in the vicinity. Only God knows what the rest of Nigerians have been going through. These are the type of situations the President needs to rise up and address. 

“But because the Buhari support group is in Abuja frolicking with those in power that are found of rolling out statistics that are not in tandem with the situation on ground, they failed to see what the people are facing”, the Arewa youths said.

Insisting that ‘BMSG and their co-travelers’ are living a lie because the realities and statistics on ground are poles apart, the AYF urged the Buhari administration to be awake to its responsibilities of meeting the needs of Nigerians.

The statement further said; “AYF also wants to remind BMSG that Mr. President himself is not unaware of the predicament of Nigerians and that is why when the National Bureau of Statistics announced that the country is out of recession, the president announced that he would not rest until the living standard of the people is improved. 

“We therefore advised the group to go to work and support President Muhammadu Buhari to elevate the living standards of the people as fiction is different from reality. Because if they are aloof, Buhari is aware that Nigerians are suffering.”