Nigerians React To APC’s Chair Appeal To Be Patient With Tinubu

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions to an appeal by the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, urging citizens to remain patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his administration works to reposition the country for a brighter future.

Speaking at the party’s Christmas Carol and Nine Lessons tagged “Christ In You, Hope of Glory”, Ojelabi reassured Nigerians that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu-led administration would yield significant improvements in 2025.

The event, held at the APC Secretariat in Ogba, Lagos, on Sunday, also saw the party distributing 25kg bags of EKO Rice to over 2,000 attendees.

Acknowledging the challenges of 2024, Ojelabi lauded President Tinubu’s “bold and courageous” reforms, which he claimed had stabilised the nation despite economic and political turbulence.

He further urged Nigerians to trust in the administration’s efforts to revamp the economy and deliver sustainable development.

“We thank God for giving us a president who is bold and courageous,” Ojelabi said. “The efforts of Mr. President and our governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, are gradually revamping the economy and making life better for everyone. Nigerians must remain united, patient, and focused on the philosophy of the Renewed Hope Agenda as we approach 2025.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, echoed Ojelabi’s sentiments, calling on Lagos residents to remain optimistic and support the administration’s efforts to deliver on its THEME Plus Agenda.

While the event was marked by prayers and gratitude, the public response online painted a less optimistic picture. Reacting on Facebook, many Nigerians criticized the APC’s repeated calls for patience, referencing similar appeals during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

A Facebook user, Umagh Simeon, wrote, “I hate that phrase ‘be patient with…’ because this is what we were told during Buhari’s administration, and today, things are even worse. The APC government has nothing to offer Nigerians apart from poverty and hardship.”

Another user, Reign Rence, sarcastically remarked, “‘Be patient with Buhari and APC’ and now ‘Be patient with Tinubu/APC.’ These guys truly believe we are docile!”

The frustrations of everyday Nigerians were evident in other comments as well.

Gire Terna lamented the rising cost of living: “Patient when ₦1,000 cannot cook noodles and two eggs? I don’t think PDAPC knows what they are doing; they focus on rigging elections and forget governance.”

Similarly, Dan Ebiowo accused the ruling party of hypocrisy, saying: “Be patient for what reason? The president and his team fought tooth and nail to oust the former administration, and now they’re asking us for patience. It’s unacceptable.”

While some at the event commended the APC leadership, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, who prayed for divine guidance for the country’s leaders, the prevailing sentiment online suggests many Nigerians remain skeptical about the administration’s promises.