Elder statesman and former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, has called on Nigerians to exercise patience with the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Dan Masanin Kano, noted that the problems of the oil sector, including the current fuel scarcity, cannot be solved overnight.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, Alhaji Sule remarked that the ongoing fuel scarcity and economic hardship experienced in the country were inherited from the previous administrations, adding that with patience and cooperation of Nigerians, things would get better soon.
“And what I will ask my fellow countrymen to do is to pray for the administration. They should pray that the administration may be up and doing, and they will be up to the task. If they do that, I’m sure the government will be able to see us through.
“I am confident that after this hardship, will come ease. All we need to do is to persevere and be patient. You see, it is like having a chronic wound. If you have a chronic wound, and want the wound to heal, you have to wash it; it is painful. Scratch it, perhaps, it is equally painful; if you apply medicine, it is also painful. Unless you experience that pain, the wound will never heal.
“We are experiencing some pain, and after this there will be ease. There will be ease! I ask my fellow countrymen to bear and forebear; to have patience and pray for the administration. With perseverance and patience, we will overcome by the grace of God,” Alhaji Sule said.
He said those blaming President Muhammadu Buhari or the minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu for the current fuel scarcity and hardship were being unfair to them because the administration was yet to complete a year in office.
“Let us be honest with ourselves! Is the current administration responsible for the woes and ills we are suffering at the moment? No, they have inherited them; this administration has been there for only one 11 months. And one good thing is that they are doing something to address the problems they met on ground,” he said.
“We are experiencing some pains, no doubt! But after these pains, there will be ease, but with patience and prayers, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I was told that the government is meeting with the major oil marketers and independent oil marketers in order to find a lasting solution to the problems in the downstream oil sector. I am really glad, if it is happening. I hope it is going on and they find a solution to the problem eventually. And if it is not, I urge the government to do it; to hold a meeting with the major marketers and the independent marketers and address the problems.
“I have also been told that the President will be signing an agreement with the Chinese government to build two oil refineries in Nigeria, with a view to tackling the issue of scarcity once and for all. If this comes to reality, it will help provide a lasting solution; but it will take time, because the pain will be there. But at the end of it, things will be all right,” he added.
