State governors should not to allow unrealistic expectations of people to distract their them, the Oyo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has warned.
The warning is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman, Oyo State Chapter of CAN, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, on Sunday.
The statement read in part: “I think we should have attitudinal change in the way we criticize government in Nigeria, we give much attention to unnecessary things at the expense of pressing issues. Expecting the state governor to fulfill all our heart desires in his less than four months in office is impossible and unachievable; nothing but mere distraction.”
While stressing that the political office holders should not allow the expectations of the people to distract them, he also urged politicians, various groups, unions and critics not to engage in destructive and distractive criticism, especially those who expected governors to have completed all road, education, agriculture projects and many more within 100 days in office.
He said to distract them was to impede development.
Akanmu showered encomium on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, for the feats achieved within the short time in office.
He said: “Governor Seyi Makinde has really distinguished himself as a vessel of honour, selected out of multitude by God to build 21st Century Noah’s Ark, to rescue Oyo people from the flood of insecurity, poverty, joblessness, ailment, immorality, education rot. The governor deserved commendation for all that he has been able to achieve so far. He has touched most sectors, especially those that required urgent attention, for instance security, education, health, agriculture, welfare.
“Just few days ago, the pupils that represented Oyo State at Science Teachers Association of Nigeria 60th National Quiz Competition, held at Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano, came first ahead of Ondo State which claimed the second position. Makinde’s commitment to education will in no distance time bear more fruits for the state.”
Pastor Akanmu also warned senior civil servants and political office holders not to work against people’s interests, as well as good intention of the governor.
He said, “Let me also at this juncture warn our people in the civil service, political office holders and lobbyists not to allow selfish interest to override people’s interest and never work against the good intentions of the state governor.
“I advise we develop our mind to enable us separate our thinking and reasoning from our desires, to be able to make conscious decisions about the best course of action to take for our people and culture. It is the only way we can be able to set aside present wants in favour of future goals.”
