Lagos, Nigeria – Jamiu Abiola, son of the late Nigerian business mogul Chief MKO Abiola, has asserted that the same forces responsible for the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election are now attempting to destabilize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In an interview with Channels Television during their coverage of the ongoing protests, Abiola, who serves as Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, claimed that those protesting against the current economic hardship have failed to recognize President Tinubu’s achievements. According to him, the protesters are emotionally charged and have not taken the time to reflect on the progress made under Tinubu’s leadership.
The protests, which began on August 1st and are expected to continue until August 10th, have seen demonstrators demanding improvements in living conditions. Many protesters have stated their intention to persist until the President addresses their demands.
Jamiu Abiola suggested that some Nigerians are struggling to accept the outcome of the 2023 general election, implying that their dissatisfaction stems from a belief that the current administration was not divinely destined to win. He emphasized that certain individuals with ulterior motives are working to undermine the government.
“There are some people who have sinister motives. The same people that worked against my dad and canceled his election. Do you think they would want someone who was trying to support my dad to become president and succeed? It’s the same forces that we have now,” he remarked.
Abiola further argued that the economic difficulties facing Nigeria are part of a divine test, asserting that challenges are sometimes necessary for progress. “Sometimes for things to get better, it has to get tough. It’s a test, and it’s from God. You see, God is testing people, and it’s not just in Nigeria. There’s the hand of God in everything,” he stated.
He acknowledged that many Nigerians view President Tinubu through the same lens as previous leaders, leading to skepticism and mistrust due to past broken promises. “A lot of Nigerians are looking at this president like every other president because a lot of them have experienced broken promises in the past. So as far as they are concerned, anything that seems difficult is another broken promise,” he explained.
Jamiu Abiola called on Nigerians to give President Tinubu more time, highlighting his commitment to democracy and the welfare of ordinary citizens. “The president we have now is a different kind of president because he believes in democracy, he believes in and loves the common man. He needs to be given time. Those protesting are emotional and have not sat down to think of the president’s achievements since he assumed office,” he concluded.
As Nigeria navigates this period of unrest and economic challenges, the ongoing protests and government response continue to dominate national discourse, raising questions about the best path forward for the country.