By Musa Bakare.
At the heart of our great nation Nigeria, where dreams and aspirations intertwine with the daily struggles of our people, I write this piece with deep concern and unwavering hope. The time has come for us all, regardless of political affiliation to rally around a singular cause: the progress and prosperity of our beloved Nigeria.
As members of the opposition coalition, you occupy a pivotal space in our democracy. You are gatekeepers of accountability, champions of the unheard, and watchdogs of public trust. Your role is both vital and noble.
However, in your commitment to these duties, I implore you not to lose sight of the greater good, the Nigeria we must build together.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited a complex nation, he is leading in a time of serious challenge. The weight of insecurity, economic reform, education, healthcare, and youth unemployment rests on his shoulders.
It is your right, even your duty to scrutinize and challenge government decisions. But there is a difference between constructive engagement and relentless antagonism. Between productive criticism and destructive noise.
When the goal becomes constant distraction, the cost is borne not by the President, but by the people, the ordinary Nigerian yearning for solutions.
We are at a crossroads. The future of Nigeria will not be determined by who shouts loudest, but by who engages wisely.
We need opposition who will rise above petty conflict and embrace collaborative problem solving. Opposition who understands that unity does not mean silence, and that cooperation is not surrender.
The President Tinubu’s reforms underway are necessary. He has demonstrated the will to make hard decisions. It is now up to us, including his critics to ensure that our contributions uplift the nation, not derail its progress.
Imagine an opposition that, instead of obstruction, offers alternatives. One that collaborates on bills that benefit citizens. One that helps refine policies, not just reject and condemn them.
This is not a call for blind loyalty. It is a call for strategic patriotism. For political actors to realize that what binds us Nigerians is far greater than what divides us.
Let us remember, history remembers only who helped build the bridge, each day that passes is another chance to change course, to choose nationhood over narrow interest, to build bridges, not burn them.
Let us not allow distractions and bitterness to derail President Tinubu’s focus on Nigeria’s pressing needs. Pray for him, encourage him, challenge him but do so with respect, facts, and a desire to contribute, not just to criticize.
We can disagree without being disagreeable. We can challenge without destroying. That is the true strength of democracy.
Let this be the moment we abandon political bitterness and embrace national consciousness. The maturity of a democracy is not just in its freedom to oppose, but in its ability to collaborate for the common good.
Together, we can transcend partisanship, uplift governance, and shape a Nigeria that fulfills the dreams of all her citizens.
– Musa Asiru Bakare
Foundation Member APC, member, Tinubu Support Group (TSG),Political Analyst writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.
