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Tag: Nigeria Decides 2023

  • Why I cut off roads to Natasha Akpoti’s constituency – Yahaya Bello

    Why I cut off roads to Natasha Akpoti’s constituency – Yahaya Bello

    Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has opened up on digging up and cutting off the roads to certain communities in the State.

    Report says Bello had engaged a construction firm to cut off the roads to frustrate elections in certain communities by preventing the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agents and other stakeholders from accessing the senatorial district during the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Operatives of the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday intercepted workers of a Chinese construction firm, CCECC, allegedly engaged by Bello to cut off roads leading to Kogi Central Senatorial District.

    The road leads to the Senatorial district of a Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate in the state, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    Appearing on Arise TV on Friday evening, Bello admitted cutting off the road but cited security reasons.

    Speaking on his relationship with Mrs. Uduaghan, Bello said, “I usually avoid talking about her simply because she’s my sister and my subject and I’m bound to provide a level playing ground for everyone to carry out the electioneering process as free as possible and I’ve always provided that.

    “Honestly, if you ask me today why she continues to mention my name probably she has not said the truth, why? My name is so sweet in her mouth.

    “She goes to bed and dreams it’s Yahaya Bello. If she has any issues with her husband and friends, it’s Yahaya Bello. Anything that goes right or wrong with her it’s Yahaya Bello. ”

    On the reason he dug up the road, the Governor added, “So, did I dig some entering and exit roads, yes, I did. I did that because as the chief security officer, I must take every step to protect the lives and property of all at all times.

    “Every day, I continue to come up with security measures and improve on it to secure the lives of the people. I study to move ahead of criminals at all times. In 2019 some people were killed and mainly they were our supporters even a day before the 2019 general elections.

    “We realised that these criminals did not fly in but moved through the roads and we identified some of these roads. Then comes 2023 and there are indications that these criminals were coming.

    “Long before the election, we had mapped out those roads all across Kogi central and other places. All these attacks that were carried out and people killed, these were the roads they passed through.

    “And there are other roads people pass through. Those dug roads served as escape routes.

    “So what we did was to dig up those roads so that if you commit a crime and try to escape, we’ll catch you. I chose good timing as well because that is when they usually come to commit crimes during the electioneering campaign. We are aware of the machineries that were brought in from different parts of the country.”

  • AFCON U-20: My boys will beat Uganda – Flying Eagles coach, Ladan Bosso

    AFCON U-20: My boys will beat Uganda – Flying Eagles coach, Ladan Bosso

    As the Flying Eagles hope to grab a world cup ticket today in Suez Canal Stadium, Ismailia, Egypt, the head coach, Ladan Bosso is confident his boys will thrash Uganda on Thursday.

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have a date with the Hippotamus of Uganda on Thursday and the winner will grab a World Cup ticket to Indonesia 2023.

    Bosso’s side started the competition on a losing  note  after being pipped by the Junior Teranga lions of Senegal 1-0 at the opening game.

    However, the Flying Eagles made up for the loss with two quick wins against Egypt and Mozambigue in the competition to progress to the quarter-final stage.

    Their next game against Uganda will be more competitive with a place in the semi-final and a spot 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup at stake.

    Bosso stated that his players are working hard in training to ensure victory against Uganda.

    “We are aware that Nigerians are looking up to us to deliver. While our mission remains bagging the World Cup ticket, we are also eyeing the trophy, which is still a number of matches away,” Bosso told thenff.com.

    “For the moment, we have Uganda in our view and we are working hard to see that we control proceedings on Thursday.”

  • Nigeria Decides: President-Elect, Bola Tinubu’s Full Speech

    Nigeria Decides: President-Elect, Bola Tinubu’s Full Speech

    Shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared  Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the President-Elect, the former Lagos state governor mounted the podium on March 1st to give his acceptance speech.

    Excerpts

    “THE ERA OF RENEWED HOPE“

    By The President-Elect
    of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
    Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

    My fellow Nigerians,

    I am profoundly humbled that you have elected me to serve as the 16th president of our beloved republic. This is a shining moment in the life of any man and affirmation of our democratic existence. From my heart, I say thank you.

    Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy.

    You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria founded on shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria.

    We commend INEC for running a free and fair election. The lapses that did occur were relatively few in number and were immaterial to the final outcome. With each cycle of elections, we steadily perfect this process so vital to our democratic life.

    Today, Nigeria stands tall as the giant of Africa. It shines even brighter as the continent’s biggest democracy.

    I thank all who supported my campaign. From President Buhari who adeptly led my campaign as its chairman, to my Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

    To the progressive governors of our party and this nation, to the party leadership, to our loyal party members. I owe you a debt of gratitude. To the entire campaign organization, I thank you sincerely.

    I thank my loving wife and dear family whose support was ceaseless and inspiring. Without you, this victory would not be possible.

    I am grateful to Almighty God. By His mercy, I was born a son of Nigeria and through His sublime purpose I find myself the victor of this election. May He grant me the wisdom and courage to lead the nation to the greatness He alone has destined for it.

    Finally, I thank the Nigerian people for their abiding belief in our democracy. I shall be a fair leader to all Nigerians. I will be in tune with your aspirations, charge up your energies and harness your talents to deliver a nation that we can be proud of.

    To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former governor Kwankwaso, former governor Obi and all others, I extend the hand of friendship. This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign.

    You have my utmost respect.

  • Accept defeat and call the president-elect – APC tells PDP, LP

    Accept defeat and call the president-elect – APC tells PDP, LP

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC)Presidential Campaign Council advised the presidential candidates of Labour Party, Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party, counterpart, Atiku Abubakar to accept defeat, sheathe their swords and try to congratulate the APC flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    The APC PCC Special Adviser on Media and Strategic Communications, Dele Alake, made the call at a  press conference in Abuja to address the calls for the Independent National Electoral Commission results to cancel the election.

    Earlier, the PDP, Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress all called for the cancellation of the presidential election and the resignation of INEC National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    The three parties had in a joint press conference on Tuesday alleged that the February 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections were marred with violence, rigging and intimidation of voters.

    In the same vein, the PDP vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, had asked Yakubu to cancel the results of Saturday’s elections.

    Okowa claimed that there was no transparency in the process because the results were not transmitted electronically from polling units.

    But the APC PCC rejected the call and rather urged Atiku and Obi to borrow a leaf from former President Goodluck Jonathan, who, in 2015, called to congratulate the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, even before INEC finished announcing the results of the election.

    He said, “We call on Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan by conceding defeat. This election has already been won by our candidate, according to the results declared at the collation centres in the state. In 2015, President Jonathan did not wait for INEC to finish collation before he called President Muhammadu Buhari and congratulated him in the true spirit of democracy and sportsmanship.

    “We urge Atiku Abubakar and Obi to follow the same path of honour, instead of attempting to heat the polity via the reckless statements by surrogates. Let Atiku and Obi call Tinubu now.”

    Alake, an ex-Lagos commissioner, took a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo for literally calling for the cancellation of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    According to him, Obasanjo’s demand was anchored on unsubstantiated claims, rumours and allegations of fraud by the opposition parties after observing that they have lost the election.

    While saying he was disappointed in the elder statesman’s statement, the PCC Special Adviser on Media noted that even Obasanjo himself once admitted in an interview that there is no ‘perfect’ electoral system anywhere in the world.

    “The APC-PCC wants to say emphatically that former President Obasanjo has no moral right to meddle in this election, let alone calling for its cancellation because he is an interested party having publicly, on January 1, this year, endorsed the candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi,” Alake said.

  • Nigeria Decides: Tinubu reacts to being announced as president-elect

    Nigeria Decides: Tinubu reacts to being announced as president-elect

    Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday assured the people of the country that he would be the chief servant and serve Nigeria with all he’s got.

    He urged the opposition parties and his challengers to join him in his mission to achieve the desired country.

    “Let’s collaborate and work together. I promise to work with you,” Tinubu said while giving his acceptance speech in Abuja.

    At the event were his vice-president-elect, Kashim Shettima, All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and APC governors, among others.

    Speaking further, the former Lagos State governor, commended Nigerians, particularly those who voted for opposition parties, saying their move helped in deepening democracy in Nigeria.

    Recall that the  Independent National Electoral Commission during the early hours of Wednesday declared Tinubu, who is the APC presidential candidate during Saturday’s election, as the president-elect.

    Tinubu was declared the president-elect after the 70-year-old polled 8,794,726 votes to win the 2023 presidential election.

    The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced Tinubu as the winner at the International Collation Centre in Abuja.

    The Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Atiku Abubakar,  scored 6,984,290 votes and he also won in 12 states the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, is followed closely with 12 states  and  polled 6,093,962 votes in the election, New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso polled 1,496,671 votes and won a state – Kano State.

     

  • TNG 2023 SERIES: The Governorship Race: The Outlook in Abia

    TNG 2023 SERIES: The Governorship Race: The Outlook in Abia

    Prior to the onset of the active campaign season, the outlook in the Abia governorship succession looked quite predictable. The state has remained a sure bet for the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Outgoing governor Okezie Ikpeazu is the third in a succession of PDP governors following after Orji Kalu and Theodore Orji, both serving senators respectively. Mr. Orji Kalu is however currently in the ruling APC. In fact, governor Ikpeazu is in the race for the Abia South senate seat in the February election. If he succeeds, Abia would acquire the distinction of being the only state where all the senatorial seats are occupied by former governors.

    After the last party conventions, it seemed obvious and natural to expect that Dr. Ikpeazu would be succeeded by a PDP candidate of his choosing. Political gladiators in the state were mostly gravitating towards the incumbent governor and his choice of a successor to get their bearing.

    The relative strength of the PDP and governor Ikpeazu in particular in Abia state derives from his support base in the Ukwa -Ngwa axis. The zone boasts of a convenient demographic majority which, for a long time, had been marginalized from the governorship position in the state for a long time. Power in the state has from inception been dominated by persons from Abia North.

    It was only under Theodore Orji that the seat came to Abia Central which consists of Umuahia and parts of Ukwa -Ngwa axis. Under Mr. Theodore Orji, based on pragmatic considerations, there was a political understanding that governrship power would go to the core Ukwa -Ngwa axis after Theodore Orji’s tenure. Governor Ikpeazu is the first beneficiary of that understanding and therefore the first Ukwa-Ngwa man to hold the office of governor in Abia state.

    There was up to the immediate post convention period that no credible threat to the PDP hegemony in the state. The All Progressive Congress (APC) was the next most powerful contender to the governorship seat. The major presumptive governorship aspirants from the APC are Mr. Uche Ogar, immediate former minister of Solid Minerals and Mr. Ikechi Emenike, a free lance business man and close associate of incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari.

    However, both men have kept each other busy in a slew of lawsuits. By the latest series of conflicting rulings, both men have now neutralized each other to the point that both of them are literally disqualified from effectively contesting the February election. That literally seals the fate of the APC and leaves the field open to the other contending parties.

    This literally left the winning field at first open to the PDP. Mr. Ikpeazu’s preference of a successor is Professor Ikonne, former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University. That choice sent ripples across the PDP membership in the state. Opposition to the choice was based on his age (he is above 70) as well as the implicit defiance of staunch party loyalists. Governor Ikpeazu stood his grounds and got away with his choice since Prof Ikonne is also an Ukwa-Ngwa man. But even among the Ukwa-Ngwa political elite, the choice of Ikonned has remained a contentious matter especially from the youth.

    There have, however, been two major twists to the tale of the
    Abia governorship succession in recent times. First, the PDP candidate has been ill and in and out of hospitals at home and abroad for most of the campaign season. For most part, he has not been available to participate in the campaigns. This has created a virtual vacuum in the governorship slot of the state as governor Ikpeazu has been left to fill a campaign vacancy for a seat he cannot be contesting for, having used up his two terms. The sense of vacuum has been intensified by Ikpeazu’s flirtation with the governor Wike led Group of five dissident PDP governors opposed to the Atiku Abubajar presidential ticket.

    This sense of vacuum has thrown the PDP into uncertainty and confusion. The party is under pressure to either field a late replacement for Prof. Ikonne or accept the inevitable bitter loss of governorship power in the state.

    While the PDP has been grappling with the natural but unfortunate misfortune of the ill health of its governorship candidate, the Peter Obi-led Labour Party (LP) has come onto the national scene as a formidable political force. With huge and raging national followership, the Obi movement has quickly garnered massive support in Abia state as in the rest of the south east and indeed the nation.

    With the familiar face of Mr. Alex Otti, former Managing Director of Diamond Bank and two -time governorship candidate, as its flag bearer in the state, LP has been increasing in strength and followership. Recent reports have indicated massive daily decampments of PDP member into the Labour camp in support of both Peter Obi for president and Alex Otti for governor respectively.

    If this trend continues, the clear indication is that Labour Party could produce the next governor of the state. But Mr. Otti has carried a burden of ancestry in his political career and repeated contests for the governorship of the state. He hails from Arochukwu in Abia North but grew up and is resident in Ngwa land. He is by right a full citizen of both zones of the state. He is both an Ngwa man and an Aro son. This has been something of a burden as some politicians in Ngwaland have been reluctant to recognize him as a legitimate son of the zone while he has been absent from the political consciousness of the Aro people of Abia North. But the crisis in the PDP seems t have played largely in his favour by replacing his ancestral burden with a more compelling national and pan Igbo interest in Peter Obi’s emergence.

    Nonetheless, the other minority party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is showing some promise in the governorship contest in Abia. Its candidate, one Mr. Greg Ibe , is showing some presence. His strength seems to derive form his previous philanthropic efforts targeted at the youth coupled with the fact that he hails from the populous Ukwa-Ngwa axis. But he does not have the ready name recognition of Alex Otti. It is important to note that APGA had previously built up an impressive support base in the state when the party was being positioned as a key pan Igbo party in the mould of the Awo led Yoruba interest parties of old hence its dominance in Ojukwu’s Anambra state. Former Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu, having failed to occupy centre stage in the old NPN was driven to form an ethnic based political party in the mopuld of the late Obafemi Awolowo. He was seeking to control the political destiny of the igbo states at least. That was the origin of APGA.
    Mr. Ibe’s chances will depend on whether that original myth can be resurrected and weaponized to compete with the Peter Obi wave and rave of the moment.

    If the present configuration of political forces remains as is, the fortunes of the PDP in Abia state seem rather bleak. On the other hand, the chances of a Labour Party governor in Abia state are indeed clear , present and bright.

  • Nigeria Decides 2023: Google Trends reveals stronghold States of leading contenders

    Nigeria Decides 2023: Google Trends reveals stronghold States of leading contenders

    In February, approximately 36 days from today, Nigerians will vote to decide their next president, who will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in May.

    Hence, political parties are doubling down their campaigns as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced it is ready to begin the preliminary deployment of technologies for the election.

    According to the election timetable released by INEC, campaigns by political parties for the presidential and National Assembly are expected to end by midnight of February 23, two days before the commencement of voting.

    Using Google Trends, an online data exploration tool that features real-time search data from Google, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) takes a look at the growing popularity of the major contenders in the 2023 presidential race over the past 12 months.

    Data obtained from Google Trends revealed the top five stronghold states of candidates of the leading political parties in relation to keyword search volume, which can be used to measure interest or popularity over a period of time.

    The analytics show that interests in the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, are high in Gombe, Ondo, Bauchi Taraba and Benue States, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, retains the most popularity in Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

    Labour Party’s Peter Obi is most popular in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Cross River states, while the candidate of the New Nigeria’s People Party (NNPP) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is famous in Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Sokoto and Katsina states.

    Perilous Path Ahead

    All four leading presidential aspirants agree in their manifesto that the state of insecurity in the country is dire and needs to be urgently reversed and have shared plans of what they would do to curb the situation.

    However, apart from Atiku who served in the Nigeria Customs, none of the other three candidates have military or security service background or experience, save for presiding over security council meetings at the state or federal levels.

    Elected twice as Governor of Lagos State, Tinubu’s political grip paved way for his emergence as flagbearer of the APC but his ambition to become Nigeria’s next president is haunted by his past, which remains mysterious and a subject of controversies.

    Tinubu is the second oldest but frailest among the leading contenders and has been taunted for his several gaffes in recent times. With youths topping the voting population for the February polls, it is widely believed that votes may swing in favour of a younger candidate.

    Kwankwaso also served as governor for two terms and has promised to replicate, at the centre, some of the successes recorded in Kano state during his eight-year tenure. He was a former Minister of the Federal Republic.

    However, some political analysts say that while his party may win some seats in the House of Assembly, it does not have the capacity to clinch a governorship or presidential seat as the party is still not popular in Kwara and Niger states.

    Obi is the youngest of the four and enjoys massive support among the youth who consider him the most qualified candidate to take over from the President Buhari administration, given his disposition to improving production and running a prudent government.

    But just like the NNPP, his party has been criticized for not having sufficient structure at the local and state levels to solidify his chances to win the Presidential seat at the February polls.

    Atiku the oldest of all four is a former Vice-President and is largely popular in the North. He is making his sixth attempt at the presidency after five previous attempts spanning almost 30 years ended in disappointment.

    One major challenge he faces is the issue of zoning, a common practice in Nigerian politics where a sitting president is expected to be succeeded by someone who is not from his region.

    With President Buhari, a Muslim northerner, rounding off his eight-year tenure in May, there are agitations that the next president should be from the South.

  • #NigeriaDecides2023: Sultan counsels Nigerians on who to vote for

    #NigeriaDecides2023: Sultan counsels Nigerians on who to vote for

    Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has told Nigerians to vote for leaders with reputable character in the 2023 general elections.

    Abubakar made the call on Thursday while addressing participants at the 29th regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resources (NCWR) in Sokoto.

    The Sultan said as the general elections were approaching Nigerians needed to use their votes wisely.

    “Nigerians need to think and rethink of who they are casting their votes to. We should not consider the religious or ethnic backgrounds of any body we are voting for but Nigeria first.

    “Our country should be our priority above any thing and not voting any person who may worsen our present challenges,” he warned.

    Abubakar added that for Nigeria to progress as a nation, Nigerians needed to put ethnicity aside and face the reality.

    The Sultan said:”Our country is far better than many countries of the world in terms of security.

    “Therefore, we should continue to support and appreciate our country and leaders with prayers in order to be able to address our challenges.

    Abubakar appreciated the Federal Government, the Minister of Water Resources and the officials of the ministry for choosing Sokoto State to hold the council meeting.

  • Nigeria Decides 2023: Atiku unveils plan for South-West Nigeria

    Nigeria Decides 2023: Atiku unveils plan for South-West Nigeria

    Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Thursday unveiled his plan for the South Western region of the country if he is elected president in the forthcoming general elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Atiku, while addressing PDP supporters on Thursday at the popular Mapo Hall in Ibadan, disclosed his government will make the South-West region the industrial hub of the country if elected as the nation’s President.

    “I am committed to making sure that industrialisation of the South-West is achieved and has the support of the Federal Government. There are five major commitments to the people of this country.

    “We must make sure there is unity; we must make sure there is inclusion of every part of this country in our government.

    “We will also make sure that security situation is under control, so that there will be peace, law and order in every part of this country” Atiku said.

    The PDP presidential candidate solicited the votes of the people of Oyo State with a pledge that his administration would provide good governance for Nigerians.

    In his remarks, the National Chairman of the party, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, said PDP has a great dream for the country, adding that the party was gradually bringing the dreams to bear before APC took over power.

    Ayu called on all aggrieved members of the party, including the G-5 Governors led by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers to return to the party to collectively work toward its success in the forthcoming general elections.

    Gov. Seyi Makinde was absent at the campaign rally.

    The PDP chieftains including the Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom; Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Mrs Titilayo Abubakar; Sen. Dino Melaye and former Minister of State for FCT, Jumoke Akinjide were present at the campaign.

  • The president we all need (3) – By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    The president we all need (3) – By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    If Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had a bit of sensitive conscience he would have gone down in sackcloth and ashes a long time ago in penance apologizing to Nigerian people for causing them untold hardships and pains by charting a course that led to the emergence of a plague called Mohammadu Buhari. The first plague occurred from 2015 to 2019. As if that plague was not hurtful and damaging enough, the same Tinubu engineered another course for the return of the same plague in 2019. That plague, as we speak, continues to hurt us day by day. Instead of going down on his knees and apologizing to Nigerians for causing this plague to be, Tinubu has the effrontery to be going around and chorusing E mi lo kan as if Nigeria were his inheritance or his father’s fiefdom.

    The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance that if you lose your wealth, you have lost nothing: if you lose your health, you’ve lost something; but if you lose your character you’ve lost everything. You see, character is the core of our existence. It is the core of who you are. Show me your character and I will tell you who you are. Bereft of character a man or a woman is an empty vessel notwithstanding that he or she may have succeeded in amassing monumental material wealth for himself or herself. This is the point contained in the latest letter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsing Peter Obi. “None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particular looking at where the country is today and the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi, as a metee has an edge”, writes Obasanjo

    I don’t know whether you have listened to a certain video clip that has been making the rounds. It is a video clip of Bishop Samuel Olumakinde Olawode of the Maranatha Lord Cometh Ministries, Ibadan, Oyo State. In that video clip, the outspoken Bishop was conducting a church service. Apparently sensing that many members of his congregation may be contemplating voting for Tinubu/Shettima in the 2023 presidential election, he said to his congregation: “I have discovered that it is the society that reproduces the leader. When we shout about the leaders, we are the ones that produce them. We are the ones that put people that we want there, and they represent who we are. How many of you have a candidate in mind you wish he could win. Those of you that want to vote, I want to pray a prayer for you. That man you want to vote for, may your children have his character and destiny, in Jesus name. Nobody is saying “amen”?. “That man that you are rooting for, shouting on Facebook and shouting about, may your great grandchildren behave like him. May they act like him, may they behave like him”.

    Expectedly, no member of Bishop Olawode’s congregation answered “Amen”. Instead of answering: “Amen’, they all turned and started looking at the faces of one another and chuckling down with laughter. They knew that the presidential candidate whom they are contemplating voting for on February 25 does not have good character worth emulating by their children or grandchildren. So, they all kept mum and refused to answer “Amen”. None of them want the character of their children or their grandchildren to resemble the character of the man whom they are contemplating voting for on February 25. Obviously Obasanjo and Bishop Olawode are not saying anything new. There is no culture or democracy in the world that extols bad character. Instead, all democracies in the world cherish good character. At the threshold of elections such as we are now in Nigeria, the people normally dig into the past of political contestants to ascertain their character. In the case of Tinubu, all the things that have been dug up about him attest that he lacks character and therefore doesn’t merit the votes of the electorate.

    Even if we overlook Tinubu’s character, we cannot overlook his ailment. His demeanour and utterances during his recent political campaigns and recent public outings show that he is not well. Tinubu is incapacitated to function as President. To begin with, he is about 85 now. So, age is not on his side anymore. He is too old to withstand the rigors intertwined with the exercise of power of the President. Gone were the days when old men were elected to power to probably die wielding power. Today the world electorate prefers electing youngsters to shoulder the arduous task of governance. For us in Nigeria, considering the gargatuum tax payers’ money incurred by the government in the medical treatment of former sick President Yar’ Adua and the current President Buhari, we cannot afford to elect another sick President on February 25. Pastor Oyedepo vividly recaptures it: “You can’t hand over a sick country to a sick President”. Tinubu is sick. He suffers from urinary inconvenience. Occasionally his hands can be seen visibly shaking suggesting he suffers from Parkinson. He easily loses his balance in public. He seems to be suffering from progressive disease that impairs his cognitive thinking abilities. The same illness slurs his speech. His cognitive thinking decline has so overcome the better part of him that he doesn’t succeed in saying what he intends to say or doing what he intends to do. For example, whenever he wants to say one thing another thing spontaneously comes out from his mouth. In one video clip, he was heard asking his followers to get their APV instead of PVC.

    Worse still, Tinubu’s listeners or audience hardly understand him. I agree with Rueben Abati that the man should speak the language the electorate understands. Oftentimes he speaks unintelligently blurring his words like “blablue blue blab” as if he is speaking “in tongue”. Is this how he will be speaking if elected President of Nigeria? The other day he was asked to test whether the microphone he was about to use to speak was working, and he ended up licking the microphone to the embarrassment of everybody. This is serious. It means that if the man becomes our President he would be going for medical tourism in London as President Buhari has been doing. Already Tinubu has been frequenting London for medical tourism. He is not President yet he has been frequenting London for medical treatment. Imagine what would happen if he becomes our President. He would close shop in Nigeria and start junketing to and fro London for medical treatment, of course, at the expense of the country. So, come February 25 2023 we must vote for a much younger and more intelligent presidential aspirant with the requisite good health, energy and drive to perform the arduous tasks of the President. As Obama’s wife Michelle Obama rightly observed, being a President does not change who the President is rather it reveals who the President is. According to her, if a presidential candidate is useless during his political campaigns he would equally be useless as President.

    Even if we overlook Tinubu’s character, ill-health and his other incapacities, we cannot overlook the fact that Kashim Shettima is his running mate. Shettima is not only enmeshed in a credibility crisis he is strongly allegedly linked with terrorist killings in Nigeria. Besides, Shettima vows he will continue from where President Buhari stopped if he becomes the Vice-President. He brags he owes nobody any apology for that. He talks arrogantly. More importantly, if he is allegedly linked with the on-going terrorist killings in Nigeria, why should the voters vote for Tinubu/Shettima?