Federal Government Blasts Atiku Over Recent Comment On Reopening Nigerian Borders

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has taken a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for saying he would reopen all Nigerian borders if he emerges President in 2023.

The Nigerian Voice recalls that the former vice-president during his campaign on Tuesday in Katsina had stated that he would reopen all borders if elected President.

While reacting to Atiku’s statement during the 15th edition of the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’ on Thursday, Mr Lai Mohammed said that the former vice president was trying to say that he would reverse the efforts made by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to attain self-sufficiency in rice production.

Mohammed argued that Atiku has indirectly informed farmers that they would soon lose their job when foreign rice floods the market.

He also said that Atiku has just informed hundreds of “Nigerians working in the various rice mills that have sprung up under this Administration that their jobs are over.”

The Minister said, “Atiku would be shutting down most, if not all, of our new fertilizer blending companies, with thousands of jobs going down the drain. And by his declaration, the former Vice President has told Nigerians that he will worsen security in the country by allowing arms and ammunition to flow unhindered into the country.

“Atiku Abubakar has simply announced that he intends to return Nigeria to the number one importer of Thai rice in 2023!

“Out of desperation, he is ready to worsen the security situation in Nigeria by throwing open all the borders and allowing a massive inflow of small arms and light weapons into the country.”