Ex-Ghana President Denies Backing Buhari’s ‘Lazy Nigerian Youth’ Comment

Former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings, has distanced himself from endorsing recent comments by Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Nigerian Youths.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Office of the former Ghanaian leader said Mr. Rawlings has made no comment whatsoever nor issued a statement on the comments by Buhari.

Recall that Buhari had on Wednesday, at the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, said many Nigerian youths were lazy and always wanting freebies from the government simply because Nigeria is an oil producing state.

“More than 60 per cent of the population is below 30, a lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil-producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, health care, education free,” Buhari had said.

His comments are still generating a lot public backlash in Nigeria, especially amongst the youths, as many said his comment did not reflect the entrepreneurial drive of young people in the country.

Rawlings, however, said that any comment purportedly coming from him on the issue is false and should be rejected.

The statement read: “The attention of the office of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, former President of Ghana, has been drawn to a post on various media, especially in Nigeria, professing his support for comments made by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nigerian youth.

“The office wishes to state that former President Rawlings has made no comment whatsoever nor issued a statement on the comments by President Buhari.

“Any comments purportedly coming from Mr. Rawlings are false and a creation of individuals who wish to use the former President of Ghana’s name for their own political interests.”