The ruling party, All Progressives Congress has responded to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s claim that former President Muhammadu Buhari is responsible for the current economic challenges in the country.
Earlier during the week, Mr. Mutfwang said the past administration traded the future of the Nigerian economy. He made the statement while swearing-in a new set of Special Advisers.
Reacting to the accusation, during a session with the Punch, the APC National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, accused the governor of displaying ignorance on economic matters.
“I will say the governor is probably displaying his ignorance of macro- and micro-economies. When you talk about mortgaging the country or selling oil upfront for the future, I think he needs to go and learn how oil is marketed at the Rotterdam market,” he said.
“There are countries that produce oil, sell for upward of 10 years and payments made upfront. It is normal in the oil business. It didn’t start with Buhari even such a thing happened during his administration.
“For his (Mutfwang) information, Buhari is very versed and experienced when it comes to oil marketing and economy, having been minister of petroleum during the military regime. He has also been one head of state that built two refineries during his time.
“So he is very conversant with the economics of oil and anyone who knows Buhari will tell you he won’t do anything that will shortchange the country or put the future of Nigeria in jeopardy.
“On the issue of money printed, I believe that is being investigated by the National Assembly, and I don’t want us to start pre-empting the outcome. The governor is just playing to the gallery.
“It is not something new, but a normal statement expected from the mouth of the opposition. But in playing opposition, I always like people to play constructive and not destructive criticism,” he concluded.
