by Roqeebah Olaoniye

We are all too familiar we the general feeling of frustration with the pace at which things are “changing” in Nigeria. You might have even done a mental double-take when the carpet-seller confidently accuses you of voting in ‘change’ and why you have to live with the consequences. If that’s not your usual terrain, then you probably have that work colleague or supervisor who is absolutely certain that “Buhari has no plan for this country. He lied to us! And we’ll soon see how he’s right.”

On the flip side are those people on the radio, TV shows, and elsewhere who are certain that things are changing and we just can’t see it yet. “Buhari is working hard. Our country was *insert everything backward you can think up* and it’s only been a year. Buhari is not a magician”.

It can all get really confusing and leave without knowing what to think because: one, you didn’t vote at the last elections and two: he really did promise to change things and things are changing, but just not how you’d assumed they would.

Just to help you get started with the thinking process, here are five very powerful Nigerians who have supported the current administration and their reasons:

– Pastor Tunde BAKARE

Pastor Tunde Bakare is the Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly and a former Vice-Presidential candidate. He is really popular as a pastor as well as one of the few Nigerians who speak articulately about policy related matters. He was strongly in support of PMB during the campaigns and there is that story about how he had a tiff with Bishop David Oyedepo of the Winners’ Ministries about his decision to support our Buhari.

He still hasn’t stopped supporting Buhari. In fact, he’s just recently paid a visit to the President to “see the President” “That’s all I came to do”. He reports PMB to be “doing very well health wise” by the way. After his visit, he assured us of his continuing support of the President and his policies. He also assures us that change will come. According to him, It’s too early to rate the reign of the current administration as good change takes a while.

– Former President Olusegun OBASANJO

In case you’re not into all that and you prefer the strong assurance of a “father-figure”, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has also recently declared his continued support for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former President in his usual fatherly fashion narrated how himself and a few other Nigerians from different parts of the country hand-picked our current President to save our dear country when they realized we were at risk of extinction. Yes, as a country, we were nearing extinction guys, and only President Buhari can save us. Have a look yourself right HERE.

– Rev. Father Ejike MBAKA

Yes Father, Ejike Mbaka is also a staunch supporter of our President despite what all the conflicting signals he’s being giving might have you think. In fact, the President himself has said the Reverend is a guardian and teacher, whatever that means.

Father Mbaka is the Catholic Priest and Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu and he’s been known to sometimes say things that somewhat, you know, “shade” the President but the latest in this series is a report through his media aide denouncing media reports that he attacked the President. He gave a series of advice on how the President can better run the country.

Father Mbaka has been a catholic priest for 21 years and has a strong following and he supports the President.

– Former Vice Pres. Atiku ABUBAKAR

The former Vice president, business man and philanthropist, Atiku Abubakar is also one of those who have publicly and continuously declared support for the President. According to him, the President should be commended for the courageous measures he has taken to ensure public funds meant for the welfare of the people and development of the country are not stolen and diverted to private pockets of individuals. He obviously supports our president’s anti-corruption campaign and believes we’ll be the better for it.

– Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji FASHOLA

Former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola currently holds a position in PMB’s cabinet as Minister of Power, Works and Housing so we don’t expect him not to be behind his boss.

In an article he released earlier this year, “PMB’s foreign trips — My takeaway,” Fashola stated Nigeria currently has the support of the world’s seven most powerful countries because of the visit the President made during a meeting of the G7 countries in Germany.

You can read the full article HERE.

He has also stressed his support for the President’s constant travels and his reason is that PMB is repairing the image of Nigeria that was ruined by past administrations.

Watch him talk to Stephen Sackur on BBC’s HARDTALK below:

There you have it. 5 powerful Nigerians who support the President and/or his policies. Just in case you needed a reason to justify the love you feel for Buhari or you know something to shut that colleague up next time he starts to whine on good morning.