UPN backs President, criticises Buba Galadima

The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) says patriotic and enlightened Nigerians will continue to support President Buhari to achieve success.

The National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Sokoto, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Sokoto issued the statement in reaction to a media interview credited to Alhaji Buba Galadima where he (Galadima) was quoted to have said that Buhari may be alone in 2019.

Galadima was a former APC stalwart and Buhari promoter.

“Galadima should know that people of his Yobe state in particular and North East states will never leave Buhari alone for what his government achieved against Boko Haram insurgency within a short period of time.

“All patriotic, sensible and enlightened people of this country and those who are having interest of Nigeria at heart will continue to support President Buhari.

“Nigerians will continue to support him to achieve success in his fight against corruption, insecurity, unemployment and his effort to full out Nigeria from recession.”

According to Sokoto, “One of the reasons he advanced is that All Progressives Congress (APC), the party the President used to win 2015 election, cannot pay for electricity, water bills as well as staff salaries for months.

“Have you ever seen in the history of Nigeria where in the secretariat of the ruling political party, water is disconnected, electricity is disconnected, salaries of aids and workers are not paid for six months?” Galadima said in the interview.

But Sokoto said that Galadima was politically disconnected, if that was one of the reasons he (Galadima) was basing his assumptions.

“Is Buhari the only beneficiary of the APC electoral fortunes? What about all the Governors, Senators, Members of the National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the party?

“Can’t these elected officers contribute from the fortunes they are making to save the party from its financial predicaments.

“What we expect Galadima to have done is profer solution on how the APC will come out from its financial problems.”

Sokoto reminded Galadima on what UPN did during the second republic under the leadership of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo to maintain its National Headquarters and offices in the then 19 States, was to levy all its elected officers.

“The party levied all its elected officers: Governors, Members of the National and State Houses of Assemblies and Local Government officials to raise funds for the maintenance of its secretariats.

“Interestingly all states branch offices of the party were manned by not less than seven staffers whom were placed on monthly salaries.

“With only five Governors of Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Bendel and Ogun States (LOOBO) states some members of the national assemblies, in those UPN controlled states, the party successfully maintained its offices,’’ the scribe said.

Sokoto said that with monumental problems of insecurity, fight against corruption and battered economy which bedevilled Buhari’s government, it must be mischievous for anyone to expect him to focus on challenges of water and electricity at the party office.

He advised all APC members and elected officers from state governors to local government councillors, including those on political appointment, to contribute certain amount of money for maintenance of their party offices and stop expecting Buhari to pay the bills.

However, he commended the statement of Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, in response to Galadima.

Sokoto said that Shehu’s statement has exposed Galadima for what he (Galadima) represents.