The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and some other lawmakers, including Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) have charged Nigerians to be patient and unite solidly behind the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to actualise Nigeria’s greatness.
Akpabio, who specifically greeted Nigerians, the president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as he celebrated the first Eid-el-Kabir as President, pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with him during these hard times.
The Senate President said, “I also congratulate the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on the occasion of the celebrations of an important pillar of Islam.
“As we join our Muslim brethren to observe this day, the essence of the season, which underscores our submission to the will of the Almighty God and the importance of sacrifice in our daily lives, should not be lost on us.
“I salute the resilience and patriotism of Nigerians in the face of the current challenges facing our nation. We should all see it as part of the process of nation-building.”
Akpabio also applauded the president for taking some bold steps in the direction of reviving the economy.
Akpabio said, “In just a few weeks since his inauguration, President Tinubu has taken some bold steps which have been globally acclaimed as being in the right direction.
“Even though the measures bring with them some inconveniences, I earnestly appeal to fellow Nigerians to look at the larger picture of the expected outcomes, be patient with the new government and give it their full support to take Nigeria out of the woods.
“The 10th National Assembly will do its utmost to provide President Tinubu-led government complementary support through necessary legislative interventions for the benefit of Nigerians. We will, in the process, ensure inclusivity, fairness and justice for Nigerians through legislation.”
Similarly, Bamidele warned strictly that no nation parading the emblem of religious fanaticism would ever achieve prosperity, saying the time was ripe for people of diverse religious inclinations to focus on the project Nigeria and exhibit their desires to contribute to its radical development.
Bamidele saluted the Muslim Ummar for their contributions to the Nigerian nation, urging them to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice, faithfulness, steadfastness, obedience, and perseverance taught by the life and time of Prophet Ibrahim.
Senator Bamidele stated that the current government being steered by Tinubu had promised to make Nigeria a great and prosperous nation, reminding us that stoking of religious intolerance could quake the foundation being laid by the present administration.
“I congratulate all Muslim Ummar on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir. As we celebrate, let us remember that we have a duty to make this country safe and prosperous for all of us and this can only be accomplished with unanimity of purpose and convergence of thoughts and ideas.
“President Tinubu came with the popular mantra of a Renewed Hope and this has started manifesting through the deft political steps he has taken to mend the already cracked and widened ethnic and religious faultlines.
“This manifested in the way he supported Senator Godswill Akpabio to emerge as Senate President and magnanimously ceded the Secretary to the Government of the Federation slot to Christians to balance the Muslim-Muslim ticket at the presidency.”
He added, “All the President needs from all Nigerians as the father of the nation, is a coalition of efforts with him for the realisation of his promise to bring prosperity to the doorstep of every Nigerian, which will impact our lives positively, irrespective of religious leanings.
“I appreciate the profound and pivotal contributions of our Muslim brothers to the stability of this nation. They should continue in this stead; for it is an onerous task they have to perform as adherents of Prophet Mohammad (SWT), whose entire life preaches love, togetherness and propagation of the ideal of live and let live.”
Senator Musa also admonished Nigerians to remember those who are less privileged by supporting them to celebrate and have a spirit of belonging.
He said, “I am aware that the last few weeks have been periods of uncertainty, fears and series of attacks by bandits and gunmen that have made life very unbearable for a lot of our people, resulting also in their inability to perform their fundamental rights to freedom as enshrined in our constitution and apart from losing their loved ones, some were maimed.
“However, I assure you that the government is on top of the situation, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown the capacity to tackle the mirage of problems facing many parts of the country.
“The appointment of new service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, I am sure, will soon add impetus to the fight against insecurity in parts of our state and the country in general.”
The Niger East senator noted, “While the Service Chiefs settle down to their assignments, I implore you to be more security conscious this period and after.
“As we celebrate this Eid Kabir, I charge you to continue to have faith in the governments at state and federal levels and pray for continued peace and progress of our leaders, state and country.”
