Buhari Addresses Some Nigerians’ Perceptions that He is ‘Moving too Slow’

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Washington, United States, said he would work very hard to sustain the goodwill his government had received at home and abroad.

The President was answering a question after his address at the United States Institute for Peace.

He was asked how he intended to leverage on the enormous goodwill being enjoyed by his administration and meet the huge expectations of the people.

He said despite his perceived slowness and the reality of lack of resources, he would work very hard “so that people will see and believe that we are trying and can deliver and hopefully become less critical.”

Buhari acknowledged the huge challenges confronting his administration such as the crash in the price of crude oil, its theft, and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, hostage taking and insecurity in the North East.

He restated his determination to sustain the goodwill by working very hard. “And I believe I will succeed.”

Earlier, the President said “despite our current challenges, Nigeria’s commitment to good governance, anti-corruption, democracy and security of lives and property remains firm. Similarly, I must reaffirm that despite the current challenges that we face domestically, we are ready and willing to face our duties…fixing Nigeria’s problems as formidable as they are the responsibility of Nigerians.’’

According to him, international community can only assist, but the hard work belongs to Nigerians and their government.

“I will, as President, lead from the front, but all Nigerians, including the opposition parties, civil society organisations, business and religious leaders, public servants, labour unions, the youths and professional associations, all have important roles to play to get our country back on a sound economic footing’’, he said.

Former US Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson had described President Buhari as a “very humble and strong personality with enormous integrity and commitment to good governance and uplifting the lives of the citizenry.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Carson moderated the interactive.