-Says agitators are jokers
-Nigeria ready to defy IMF in national interest
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has warned that Nigeria will not tolerate the revived agitation for Biafra.
He dismissed those canvassing the creation of Biafra from Nigeria as jokers who are simply toying with the nation’s security.
Buhari in an interview with Al Jazeera television during his recent visit to Qatar said: “At least two million Nigerians were killed in the Biafra war. And for somebody to wake up, may be they weren’t born, looking for Biafra after two millions people were killed, they are joking with the security of the country. Nigeria won’t tolerate Biafra.”
He said although government could tolerate peaceful pro-Biafran protests, demand for the creation of Biafra is against the constitution. Buhari also vowed that Nigeria will not be dictated to by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or any external force in the way it runs its economy.
Nigeria, according to him, will not kowtow to anyone’s advice that is not in the best interest of the country.
Told by his interviewer that he was going against the counsel of the IMF by refusing to devalue the naira, the President retorted: “Why not! If it is against our national interest, why can’t we go against IMF?”
He threw more light on why he would not consider devaluation of the naira for now, saying: “countries that play around with their currencies are countries that have enormous production.
“Their infrastructure is in place. Infrastructure in terms of power, communication and security are virtually alright. Nigeria virtually imports everything from rice to toothpicks. Now, if you do not have the money to import those things, what is the point devaluing your naira?”
He stressed the need for the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to re-strategise in saving the current crude oil price crisis.
“OPEC has to work together to save the situation. It has always been an interesting aspect, if you can produce less and earn more. We are producing more and earning less. I have never been able to understand it but the market forces are influenced by a lot of political decisions, post regional decisions and global decisions and we have to live by it,” he said.
OPEC as an organization has to be mindful of the economic conditions in each member country because that would influence that country’s ability to go along with OPEC’s purported decision. In Nigeria, we are unable to diversify our economy. Hence, we are much more disadvantaged by the lower oil prices. OPEC tried to help us but it is basically our own fault. “
He dismissed suggestion that Nigeria might withdraw from OPEC.
“Under my leadership, Nigeria would not want to withdraw. Between 1976 and 1979, I served as Petroleum Minister. I very much value the institution of OPEC and I think Nigeria would make the necessary moves to remain in OPEC.”
He dismissed criticism that his government has failed in the fight against Boko Haram.
Buhari said that contrary to what some people say, the capacity of terror sect to threaten has been greatly reduced and it is not currently in control of any local government area in the Northeast as it used to do.
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