"Expect economic boom in 2018," SGF tells Nigerians

Addressing a group of pro-Buhari protesters in Abuja on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, the SGF blamed the recession on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.

"Baba Buhari didn't anticipate the problem that we are in," Lawal said.

"The people who caused this problem are the one challenging the government. I tell you that they will fail in the name of God. In fact, they have failed.

"You are aware of the economy that the president inherited, the economy in which revenue has virtually collapsed. The infrastructure is no where to be seen, roads were dilapidated, schools dilapidated. The hospitals were abandoned," he added.

The SGF said that President Buhari is aware of the sufferings of Nigerians.

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"I assure you that by the grace of God, in the next one year, Nigeria will have a booming economy. We know what they were doing to try to sabotage the activities of government to bring Nigeria back to economic prosperity.

"This, I can assure you. I assure Nigerians that the president is aware of the temporary suffering we are going through. It pains him. But the pains have to be borne this way for prosperity and goodness to return to our country," he added.

The protesters, however, clashed with the Police while trying to forcefully gain entrance into the villa.

Addressing the supporters at the Unity Fountain, special assistant to the President on media and publicity Garba Shehu, apologised for the initial obstruction by the security agents at the main gate of the presidential villa.

"The war against corruption has enemies, very powerful enemies. Enemies who has resources, a kind of monies that even the government doesn't have. So we need a popular support like your own otherwise the war against corruption will be defeated," he said.

Addressing the protesters, convener of the Citizens Support for Good Governance in Nigeria, Comrade Moses Abdullahi said the country was passing through a difficult phase as a result of bad governance since the return to democracy in 1999.