EXCLUSIVE | APC UK "PMB is delivering effective change."

Corruption and insecurity were two massive challenges faced in Nigeria before President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR assumed office on 29th May 2015.

Fast forward to today, exactly a year after the new sheriff was sworn in, almost everyone who gives the matter serious thought would admit that there is renewed hope in the anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They have successfully exposed so many goats who stole our yam.

The war against corruption and the insurgent group, Boko Haram are highlights of the successes of the All Progressives Congress led administration. Many would admit that in his first 365 days in office, President Muhammadu Buhari has managed to reshape our county.

Remember that on this day, last year, Nigeria's Commander-In-Chief, the first to ever remove an incumbent President through the ballot box pledged amongst other things to fight Boko Haram, corruption, secure the nation, restore peace, restore pride and morale in our once gallant soldiers, restore our standing as the giant of Africa...

There has been loads of pressure on the President on how to deliver his government’s promise with the dwindling price of oil and the bastardisation of the economy during the surplus years. The past administration had no political will to save from the plenty we had and this has had so much effect on the new administration.

Despite the mismanagement of our country's wealth by the People's Democratic Party, we have a President determined to achieve his promises.

From the very beginning President Buhari made it known, his disdain for corruption and corrupt practises. Even when the British Prime Minister accused Nigerians of being "fantastically corrupt," the Archibishop Justin Welby and Queen Elizabeth II defended President Buhari as an incorruptible man. So there is no doubt about the integrity of our President! Our brothers and sisters at home definitely chose the right man to lead our great nation.

President Buhari, the 4th President of the 4th republic vowed to make the issue of Boko Haram's insurgency a priority and this promise he has delivered on. The first move the President made after he was sworn in was to move the Army command base to Maduguri. Since December 2015, up to 12,0000 people have been rescued by the Nigerian Army.

The war against Boko Haram is surely almost over. The rescue of two Chibok girls renewed the hope of many people. That people in the north east region can now go about their daily lives without fear is prove of what an effective leader can do.

General Brutai Tukur, who is leading the successful offensive against Boko Haram promised that despite though they have taken back territories once lost to Boko Haram, his men will not rest on their laurels.

The President is leading from the front in attracting investors to the country. His trips have been well communicated to Nigerians by the Presidential team (Mr Femi Adeshina and Mallam Garba Shehu) and the result which is our stolen wealth hidden as lush properties in Central London being returned. Take for instance his recent trip to the UK for the anti-corruption summit, where the President requested for the assistance of the repatriation of illegally acquired assets or his trip to the UAE where he signed an agreement for all stolen monies to be returned.

This government has also sealed a deal with the Swiss government who is now ready to send 321 million USD illicitly acquired by the Gen. Sani Abacha family.

The trip to USA produced a 5 million USD support for the fight against Boko Haram and $40 million for humanitarian assistance.

The President has been successful in the fight against Boko Haram but a new menacing group, now known as the Niger Delta Avengers have sprung up and are destroying pipeline. -Their action is a cause for alarm because of the situation the country faces with the dwindling price of oil. We cannot afford this problem at any time talk of even now!

As a result of over production of oil, the price of what was known as the black gold as gone really low. As a result, countries like Nigeria who rely heavily on the money gained from the sale of crude oil have had to remove subsidy and also look at alternative ways to diversify the economy.

The government’s response to the reducing price of oil has been to block leakages caused by corruption and this has been done even in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. In the past, the Nigerian oil corporation, NNPC through which the federal government regulates the industry did not have a clear idea of the amount of account it had. This problem was solved by placing all account held by government into a single account known as the TSA.  The Treasury Single Account (TSA) might not have been the idea of the Buhari led government but it's this government that had the will to implement this idea which provides transparency and accountability of our finances.

The government also introduced the BVN which has helped to wield out ghost workers.

Though not visible yet, there are ongoing plans to recruited10,000police officers and50,000 teachers would be trained by the British Council.

Of course, the President who addressed Nigerians in his broadcast this morning at 7am still has many more to do in the remaining three years. But it must be noted that he is delivering effective change as promised and his achievement in the past 12 months are becoming clear for all to see.

Nigeria is now enjoying the good will of the leaders abroad and benefits from a good relationship with its neighbours thanks to the hard work the President has put in in rebranding our country. There is no doubt, that the President is leading an efficient change which has brought our nation to the fore front of world politics hence making us great again. This hard work has earned President Buhari commendation from world leaders.

APC UK commends Mr President for his hard work. May God continue to guide you  and the entire cabinet.

God bless Nigeria, Happy Democracy day!

Thanks,
Adenike Lucas
Press Secretary All Progressives Congress UK