The test in question is not about whether this administration will succeed or not. Far from it. For Mr President to succeed in office, despite all the storms and turbulence at the moment is already settled in the spiritual realm. The manifestations of it in the physical realm are imminent.
The test of faith and loyalty in this context is centered on the hardship that Nigerians are passing through. The consequence of government policies they are suffering and being made to endure is a big challenge. The fact that the hardship is lingering and causing emotional and physical trauma to the people calls for serious concern.
Nonetheless, it has been said over and over again that the reforms are difficult but necessary. Naturally, not everybody has what it takes to endure hardship, especially when hunger is involved. A hungry man, they say, is an angry man. My people will say “iya ki somi obe, Oba ma je njiya laiye”. This is a statement of fact, and it is understandable. But here is a president that appears to be focused and unperturbed, not out of wickedness but out of his resolve to provide responsible leadership. At the risk of being unpopular, he sticks to his guns that this is the way to go.
This is a president that is aware of the implications of these reforms costing him a re-election for the second term. But he insists on doing what he considers to be the best for the country. This is a president that has chosen to ignore the threats of his government being toppled by the military. He still believes firmly that he is serving the dose of economic reforms to Nigeria and Nigerians in the right quantity and quality.
“Alagbede to nlu irin lojukan, ibe ni apere ni” – a blacksmith who kept hitting an iron at a spot has reasons. The president knows his onions, and has therefore chosen not to bedeterred by the barrage of criticisms, condemnation and abuse being hauled on his person on daily basis. It takes strong-will, character and commitment for a politician to engage in unpopular but inevitable reforms against the will of the people. Politicians, by nature enjoy being loved and hailed
Some of us religiously and unapologetically believe in the capacity and capability of PBAT to deliver. We are unwavering in our support for him to succeed. We have refused to lose sight of where we are coming from. What we are experiencing today is a function of the events of yesterday. Therefore, we refuse to lose faith in his ability to take Nigeria to the destination we all desire.
Despite the fact that the roads are rough and crooked, and the journey is tedious and seems to be unending, we believe in the saying that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going . Our hope is hinged on the fact that this trying time has an expiry date. We are in the season of famine, so to speak, the season of plenty is around the corner. That was what PBAT promised Nigeria in his Renewed Hope Agenda. It will neither happen like a magic, nor arise suddenly like a miracle. Rather, it will certainly take a process.
You may choose to call people like us whose faith remains unshakable in this administration names: blind followers, Tinubu apologists, nincompoop, gullible, ethnic bigots, undesirable elements and the likes. Less we care. The fact remains that at this point in time, Jagaban is irrevocably committed to taking hard decisions that his predecessors have been hesitant to make.
And sooner than later, those difficult decisions that a lot of leaders could not take for being timid which he has courageously taken are going to be yielding positive results. Nigeria will definitely recover from its shadow, reenact economic prosperity and bounce back on the right footings. That is the expectation of those of us that are optimistic about the success of this administration. There is hope on the horizon for Nigerians!!!
Therefore, may our faith and loyalty to Mr President not be put to test beyond our limit.
May Our Faith And Loyalty To Mr President Not Be Put To Test – Hon. Aderemi Ogundele
