Barau calls for patience, says Tinubu’s administration working on solutions

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has called on the organizers of the planned nationwide protest to reconsider their decision to ensure the country’s fragile peace remains undisturbed.

This was contained in a statement signed by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate on Monday.

Senator Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making genuine efforts to tackle the nation’s challenges. 

According to the statement, Barau urged the protest promoters to give the government more time to implement the programmes and policies outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to drive socio-economic development.

“Since the government was inaugurated on May 29, 2023, it has diligently worked hard to restore the country’s glory and return it to the path of progress and prosperity for the benefit of all,” Senator Barau stated. 

He added that it is unrealistic to expect one year to be sufficient to address challenges that have accumulated over decades. 

“Various interventions have been rolled out, and more are being conceived by this administration. Short, medium, and long-term measures are being put in place to tackle the challenges that have been with us for decades,” he said.

He said the signing of the North West and South East Development Commissions bills into law by President Tinubu was one of the measures to address the challenges facing all parts of the country.

He drew the attention of the promoters of the protest of how what started as peaceful demonstrations in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Sudan, turned bloody and took the countries backwards.

“Against this backdrop, I urge everyone to reflect deeply on the problem and reconsider the idea of a protest. There is a risk that the protest could be hijacked,” he cautioned.

Barau reminded Nigerians of their shared heritage and the importance of preserving national unity. 

“This is our country; we have no place to go other than the Federal Republic of Nigeria bequeathed to us by our forefathers. Exercise more patience and allow for more time. We will get it right. The efforts of the new Government will yield the desired results, by the grace of God,” he assured.

The protest is scheduled for Thursday, August 1.