Tinubu’s Aide Urges Nigerians to be Patient, Says Development Takes Time

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Aliyu Audu, has called on Nigerians to be patient and understand that the country’s journey from underdevelopment to economic prosperity will take time, long-term vision, and shared responsibility.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Beam on Monday, Audu emphasized that Nigeria’s unique circumstances require a collective effort from citizens and leaders to commit to difficult but necessary reforms to accelerate development.

“It’s a process, and certain processes in terms of nation-building, moving from underdevelopment to being developed, take time.

“We have examples across the world. It took an average of 35 years for Singapore, 50 years for India, and a couple of others. But we are Nigerians, we are different. It doesn’t have to take that long,” Audu said.

Audu acknowledged that Nigeria has had its fair share of challenges and setbacks, but he urged citizens to focus on the present and work towards a better future. He reflected on the country’s political journey, acknowledging past failings, but called for unity and collective ownership of the country’s history.

“We’ve been in power for 10 years, and the PDP did a very bad job in their 16 years, but it’s our collective past. We have to own it.

“Every single party and leader that has led this country, however well you want to rate their performance, we’re still together. We’re building nationhood,” Audu said.

Audu’s comments come at a time when Nigerians are increasingly frustrated with the country’s slow pace of development, despite the government’s efforts to implement reforms and improve the economy. The APC chieftain’s call for patience and unity is seen as an attempt to manage expectations and reassure citizens that the government is committed to delivering on its promises.

However, critics argue that the government’s slow pace of reform and lack of tangible progress on key issues such as poverty reduction, job creation, and infrastructure development are major concerns that need to be addressed urgently.

Audu’s statement also highlights the challenges faced by developing countries like Nigeria, which are trying to catch up with more developed nations. He noted that Nigeria’s unique circumstances, including its large population, diverse culture, and complex history, require a tailored approach to development.

Despite these challenges, Audu remains optimistic that Nigeria can accelerate its development and become a prosperous nation. He emphasized the importance of a long-term vision, shared responsibility, and collective effort from citizens and leaders to drive progress.

“It’s not just about the government; it’s about all of us. We all have a role to play in building this nation.

“We need to work together, support each other, and make sacrifices for the greater good. If we do that, I’m confident that we can achieve great things and make Nigeria a proud nation,” Audu said.

The call for patience and unity comes as the Nigerian government faces increasing pressure to deliver on its promises and improve the lives of citizens. With the 2023 general elections approaching, the government is under scrutiny to demonstrate tangible progress on key issues, and Audu’s statement is seen as an attempt to manage expectations and reassure citizens that the government is committed to delivering on its promises.