Former Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has fervently appealed to Nigerian youth to exercise patience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He implored them to reconsider the planned nationwide protests.
In a statement issued on Friday in Lagos, Obanikoro, who also served as a Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, acknowledged the significant challenges facing the nation and the growing frustration among the youth.
He emphasized the need for trust in the government’s efforts to address these issues and to work towards a better future.
Obanikoro highlighted that the youth are pivotal to the nation’s progress and catalysts for change. While recognizing the widespread discomfort, poverty, and inequality fueling discontent, he reassured the youth that the government is diligently working to create opportunities, enhance infrastructure, and improve access to quality education, healthcare, and essential needs like food.
The statement reads partly, “My dear young ones and all Nigerians, I appeal to you to be patient with President Tinubu to make things right. He inherited most of these challenges and change does not happen overnight. I can assure you that he and his team are committed to laying the foundation for a prosperous future, and we need your patience and understanding to achieve this goal.
“As a concerned leader and citizen, I recognize your constitutional rights to protest but want you to reconsider the planned protest against the government because of the level of insecurity in the country resulting from ethnic and religious conflicts. Furthermore, the possibility of those who doesn’t mean well for the country to hijack the protest is real. I understand that frustrations and concerns about the country’s challenges are real, and I acknowledge the passion and energy that drives your desire for change.
“However, I urge you to consider the potential consequences of protests, including harm to well intentioned protesters, unrest, looting and other negative activities which the 5th Columnists may hide under to perpetrate.
“There are reasons for optimism. Government policies require time to manifest in our lives. His investments in infrastructure, healthcare, technology, education in the forms of student loans, fighting insecurities, ensuring stable power supply are evidence of government’s commitment to building a better future.
“Rather than embarking on protest which may eventually lead to wanton destroy of private and public property, I urged the youth to engage with the government and participate in the democratic process.
“Despite the frustrations, it is crucial to trust in the government’s efforts to address your concerns. By working together, I believe that Nigeria can overcome its challenges and build a brighter future for all.”
