Kolawole Akinlayo, a legislator representing Ekiti State in the House of Representatives and a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has recently called on Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu. Akinlayo’s appeal comes in light of the numerous challenges facing the country, which he believes were inherited from previous administrations.
In a press briefing held in Abuja on Monday, Akinlayo addressed the ongoing frustrations among the public, particularly those related to governance issues. He acknowledged that the country is experiencing significant problems, but he emphasized that these issues did not begin with Tinubu’s presidency. Instead, he argued that these challenges have been building up over time, resulting from decades of inadequate governance.
Akinlayo stressed that repairing a system that has been poorly managed for many years is a complex and lengthy process. He urged Nigerians to be patient with the current administration, highlighting that meaningful change and improvements take time. He acknowledged that the public has a right to express their dissatisfaction and protest against poor governance, but he also encouraged them to recognize that the current administration is working to address these deep-seated issues.
One of the key points Akinlayo made was a call for dialogue rather than protest. He specifically addressed the youth, who have been active in demonstrating against various issues. He urged them to take up the president’s offer for constructive engagement. According to Akinlayo, President Tinubu has laid out plans for several projects aimed at improving the country, but the ongoing protests are a symptom of the underlying governance problems rather than the fault of the current administration. He suggested that engaging in dialogue with the government could be a more productive way to address grievances and work towards solutions.
In addition to discussing governance and protests, Akinlayo also touched on the issue of the distribution of aid. Recently, there were reports about the distribution of rice intended for lawmakers and other officials. Akinlayo clarified that he did not personally receive any rice, although he acknowledged that governors had received it. He explained that legislators were provided with a truckload of fertilizer—approximately 600 bags—which he has since distributed to his constituents. He reiterated that he was unaware of any rice being given to lawmakers and suggested that any inquiries about rice distribution should be directed to the governors.
Furthermore, Akinlayo addressed some public demands, such as the call to revert the fuel price to N157 per liter. He argued that such demands are unrealistic given the current economic conditions. Instead, he proposed that the public should focus on making practical and feasible requests from the government. He stressed the importance of setting achievable goals and working collaboratively with the administration to address the country’s challenges.
