The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, on Sunday told Nigerians not to expect too much from the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that change is a gradual process.
Okogie gave the advice in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
The cardinal said, “Nigeria seems to be on a collision course with destiny and the hopes of many are hanging in the balance. I can understand the sense of urgency and expediency in the expectations of Nigerians.
“Yet, sincerely, I think we are expecting too much too soon. Change will come but it will be gradual but surely.
“It will amount to putting the cart before the horse to expect radical revolution from the General.
“We must exercise patience and give him chance to deliver on his promises. What he needs more than anything is our support, cooperation, collaboration and goodwill.”
Okogie urged Buhari to focus on providing quality governance on assuming office, and pay less attention to distractions.
He advised the President-elect to adhere to the blueprint and road-map of his party that had brought about growth and development in the states, where they had been implemented.
The renowned cleric said, “It is heartening to know that he has made anti-corruption campaign the metier of his administration.
“In order for this not to run out of steam, he must build institutions, both formal and informal, that will fight corruption and ensure Nigeria becomes a society of law abiding citizens.
“His transition team and board of advisers should shun the temptation to secure their selfish interest and come up with pragmatic action plan that will help the president-elect to realise his goal.”
Okogie said the task ahead of the President-elect was enormous and appealed to him to explore available economic and social opportunities in rebuilding the nation.
“More than anything, the Gen. Buhari-led government must run an inclusive government of credible people with requisite competence that will ensure that no part of the country is left behind,’’ he said.
According to him, Buhari must do so bearing in mind the fact that he will preside over a nation that comprises people who voted for him, people who did not vote for him and people who did not vote at all.
He added, “He must ensure that no group, class, gender or religion is discriminated against politically, economically, socially and infrastructurally.
“This is the watershed moment to break the walls of ethnicity, elitism and religious bigotry that has continued to polarise the fragile unity of our nation.
“He has a duty to turn the nation into a bridge in which every person, irrespective of his background and orientation, would see the state as a collaborator and an ally through which his dreams and ambitions can be realised.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Sir, don't preach to us to exercise patience, they promised it, they must hit the ground running
ReplyDeleteAgreed. We need to be patience. It is easier to destroy than to build. A lot has been destroyed which will take years of concerted effort to build. I wish GMB courage and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteStory Story Story.....
ReplyDeleteHe promised end to boko haram within 2 months,
He also promised to bring back our girls within 2 months,
Make the exchange rate $1 = N1,
Petrol N40/litre,
N5000/month to 20 million poorest Nigerians,
Monthly payment to unemployed youths,
3 million new jobs annually,
And so many more.
I beg you in the name of God; Archbishop stop preaching to Nigerians and turn your preaching to GMB to start fulfilling his promises and stop this excuses.
When people said you were brainless some Nigerians screamed blue murder now you are proving they were right.
He has not even assumed office excuses are flying from everywhere.
Let him just remember what happened to the Egyptian 'Morsi'. The same Egyptians that gave him almost 100% vote threw him out within nine(9) months.
Just know we are watching and very closely.....
Correction:-
ReplyDelete"When people said you were brainless some Nigerians screamed blue murder now you are proving they were right."
Please this was meant to be:
"When people said he 'GMB' was brainless some Nigerians screamed blue murder now he is proving they were right".