By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former member of Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Nathaniel Ojo Taiwo has called on Nigerians to pray for and encourage leaders to succeed rather than to curse and vilify them.
Taiwo who made the call in a chat with newsmen on sundry political and economic matters in Lokoja said that the Holy Books enjoin followers to pray for their leaders for it to be well with the pland and the people.
The former Lawmaker decried the way and manner people speak evil of their leaders saying that leaders are chosen by God and deserve support and cooperation of their people to succeed in providing leadership.
He said that curses were rather destructive adding too many curses and unfounded criticisms against leaders could only result in retrogression and stunted development.
Taiwo applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his economic reforms saying that they were like labour pains which would give way to joy and celebration upon delivery of the baby.
He attributed the nation’s economic woes partly to overdependence on oil and the nation’s external borrowing high profile adding that the fuel subsidy was removed and not captured in the 2023 budget which President Tinubu inherited.
The former legislator attributed the economic woes of the country to activities of past leaders saying that the economy had broken down before inception of Tinubu’s administration and would take some time to reassemble and make it functional.
He urged Nigerians to expect a better economy, better nation and better life on the long run saying, “We are going to enjoy after this temporary suffering.”
Taiwo condemned the recent attacks on Sunday Karimi, Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District saying he should rather be encouraged than vilified by the constituents.
“I think constructive criticisms of leaders is not bad, but to attack and curse them is not right nor the best for us as a state or country.
“Rather than cursing, we should offer prayers for them to lead us well and succeed as leaders chosen by God over us for the desired growth and development,” he said.
The former Executive Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi said Karimi had performed creditably well in Education and infrastructure among others and had represented the district well at the National Assembly.
He said that of particular reference is, the on-going palliative repairs of the Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin Federal road facilitated and flagged off by Sen. Sunday Karimi after decades of neglect in spite of its high economic importance.
Taiwo also commended the present administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi, saying that the government is doing well building on the foundation laid by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
He said that Governor Ododo, aside regular payment of salaries in the right percentages to all categories of workers and ensuring quarterly distribution of palliatives, had put in place a formidable security architecture.
The security architecture, he said, enabled tremendous peace being witnessed in the state saying that it paid off with the rescue of students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Osara, even though two students unfortunately lost their lives. (Ends)