Achieftain of the All Progressive Congress in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike, has said that inspite of the daunting challenges confronting the ruling party, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has been able to take the country’s economy out of the quagmire it was forced into by its predecessor.
Emenike argued that Nigerians should be patient with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, adding that it was not an easy task for the ruling APC to right all the wrongs allegedly perpetrated during the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party in power.
He stated this in an exclusive chat with our correspondent in his country home in Umukabia-Ukpuala in Umuahia, shortly after the leaders of oil-producing communities in the state called on him to run for the governorship of the state in 2019.
According to him, “APC is trying to fit into the governance of this country. It is not easy. A party had been in power for 16 years. If any new party comes in, there will be there will be problems here and there.”
Stating that he would give the demand of the leaders of the oil-producing communities a thought in due course, Emenike likened government to a plane taking off for a long flight, saying that it would take some time and efforts for it to hit the right altitude.
“This government is just taking off on a non-stop flight. It is not like domestic flights that take about 15 minutes or so to reach the required altitude. It will take time to arrive at the cruising altitude,” he said.
The APC chieftain stressed that the challenges facing the President Buhari-led Federal Government were enormous.
He argued that it would require the discipline and dexterity of leaders like Buhari to move the country from the rot it was in when he took over the mantle of leadership. Emenike, however, assured that the end to hardship for all Nigerians was in sight.
“By the grace of God, we will soon get there and the people will understand that the change we preach is real. Whatever challenges they are going through will be a thing of the past,” he said.
He also commended the people of the oil-producing communities for appreciating the appointment of one of them, Chief Nwogu Nna Nwogu, as the commissioner representing the state on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“All the thanks belong to President Buhari, while both the praise and appreciation must be directed to God who made the nomination a dream come through, despite the challenges,” Emenike said.
The leaders of the oil-producing communities had said during a thank-you visit to Emenike for facilitating the nomination of Nna Nwogu that through the appointment, Buhari had restored their sense of belonging in the country. Speaking on their behalf, Mr. Chinwe Uruakpa, said God had used Emenike to bring out a man who knew their problem
