Buhari not clueless but helpless, says Bakare

The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration cannot be described as clueless, as the Goodluck Jonathan government was so termed for its inability to tackle insurgency.

He stated that the Buhari administration could only be termed ‘helpless’ because it made some in-roads into the Boko Haram menace.

Bakare, who spoke in a recorded interview on Channels Television, monitored by our correspondent on Sunday, stated that the current administration had appointed new service chiefs and sought cooperation from neighbouring countries in a bid to win the war against insurgency.

He said, “President Buhari’s administration is not clueless but helpless on the issue of insecurity. He met with neighbouring countries, changed service chiefs and formed ties with the leaders of the Western nations to seek their support in tackling insurgency. That is why we must all rise up to support his administration.”

According to him, the December deadline set by the President to end insurgency in the country is only an optimistic date meant to renew efforts at battling Boko Haram and support those waging war against insurgency.

Bakare further said the list of the President’s ministers was worth the wait, noting that he carefully chose those he wished to work with him.

He said, “Buhari took his time to choose the ministers. If anyone says they are not the best or competent, the person should tell me the charges against them in court. Are those nominated competent? Are they Nigerians? I know that there is federal character. If you don’t have those you want, you pick those available. The President has said that not all of them will have portfolios. If our constitution says we must have 36 ministers and we don’t have the resources to pay them, it is time to change that constitution.”

The clergyman also said some of the people the President chose as ministers nearly laid down their lives to see him become President.

“See the case of Rotimi Amaechi with all the battles he fought with the past administration. I do not also see any horse-trading in their screening and confirmation by the Senate,” he said.