Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s president-elect, knows that the expectations of Nigerians from the incoming government are high but he has appealed for patience, saying “Rome was not built in a day”.
Speaking on Tuesday when a delegation of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors visited him at the defence house in Abuja, Buhari assured Nigerians that he would do his best to fix the economy.
“Please give this incoming government a chance, give us a chance to stabilise security,” he said.
“The expectation is too high and I have started nervously to explain to people that Rome was not built in a day.”
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Responding to the appeal of the governors that he should bail them out in clearing backlog of salaries in some states, Buhari went down memory lane in recalling how the regime of Sani Abacha, a former head of state, responded to economic difficulties.
“I think we should look for a better way to address the issue of the backlog of salaries, which are of immediate concern to individuals and states,” he said
“We have to think of how to persuade people to give us a chance to organise the economy immediately and get these problems fixed.
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“I will like to recall what happened during the Abacha regime. The Abacha regime was a military regime and it thought that the only way was to increase the prices of petroleum products, but they were not taking Nigerians for a ride.
“They could have said if Nigerians decide to riot, they have the guns and so they can have their way. They decided to tell Nigerians that they were going to increase prices of petroleum products and the money we get, we will put aside for development. That was how PTF came.”
8 comments
Rome might not have been built in a day, but it probably was conceived in a day. The unrivalled architectural beauty aside, the sense of order pervading Rome is certainly one of its driving forces.
The President-Elect need not be jittery, he should look forward positively and take things in their stride. We are at a point where expectations management may not help. What will help is an honest approach to tackling the issues the President-Elect promised to tackle and for which Nigerians, presumably, voted for him. Nigerians took a chance, and a risk, in voting for ‘change’ and they expect manifest, positive, change in all spheres of their lives. It’s time to deliver on election promises, and nothing less. (And) the President-Elect can count on the support of Nigerians if he does the right things.
We sure need to cooperate and give him the chance to bring sanity back to Nigeria. We can best do this by talking to ourselves individually, the mentality that “anything goes in Nigeria” has to stop. If we can obey rules and order in foreign lands, why can’t we do the same in Nigeria. Only evil minded Nigerian will not welcome a change for the betterment of that country.
Well said. I totally agree. Thanks
The president-elect need not be nervous, there will be those that will be impatient, but many will empathise with the leadership, so long as there is honesty, integrity, and openness.
We are all partners in the “change”, and we are on standby to line up behind our leaders as they show the way to a New Nigeria.
May God bless us all; amen.
This is exactly what I don’t want to hear!!.
General Buhari should either give us our miracles or give us back Goodluck and Patience.
What does he mean by; Nigerians have to be Patient?
We lost our Patience in the just concluded election. We voted out Goodluck and Patience, remember?
Nobody should even think about asking Nigerians to be Patient again. We are done with that!!
“Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day” — Buhari.
Really?
Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day because Julius Berger was not there.
Now, we have Julius Berger in Nigeria, so we need our Rome built in a day.
It is possible. If you doubt me, ask Julius Berger
We need our Miracles and we need it now!!!!
Give us our miracles or give us back Goodluck and Patience.
Cyril Anyanwu
@anyanwu true nigerian are known for sound opinions,i dont like this source lately for saying things they dont mean like about legendary soyinka.asuming gmb say this,he must be reminded now.we gave away goodluck our mothers abandoned patience not for the ol‘general to educate us face the beauty and glory of rome with time,after being mandated to deliver or display all of hi miracles or magical promises.if it be necessary for patience gmb should do the thing,give us jo patience will follow her goodluck back.
The prince of Dubai once said, ” I want the best for my people, and I want it now”. Buhari may not say the same in words but I believe he cares and want the best for that country. Let’s give him the chance. Everybody deserve a better life in that country. Nigeria is not only for the few thieves in politics.
If and only if,the issue that my people will take over back Abuja as proclaim..i will be patiance till when over due then i will start to talk,i pray for our leader sucess but the true shd be the true?Your comment..