THE SIMPLE ACTIONS PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU MUST TAKE NOW

President Bola Tinubu

VERY SHORT TERM

1. The golden rule when facing any crisis is to allay fears. Mr. President, reassure Nigerians via TV and radio in a brief 5-minute speech, translated into local languages by governors and parliamentarians.

2. Plead for understanding in the speech, promising further updates in four weeks. Announce cuts in government expenditure, emphasizing the need for basic economic principles to address hyperinflation.

3. Outline a strategy for essential spending prioritization. Emphasize the need for common-sense measures to navigate hyperinflation. Expenditure saved is income earned.

SHORT TERM (Next six months)

1. Halt new civil projects, advising states to do the same. Redirect saved funds to agriculture for a timely harvest.

2. Continue funding approved civil projects, promoting direct labor to circulate income.

3. Import strategic food items and support local growers through state governments.

4. NNPCL should push locally refined petrol, importing fuel if needed. Monitor prices ruthlessly to address the fuel crisis.

5. Identify major food growers and support them directly through state governments.

6. Release CBN probe report promptly.

MEDIUM TERM (6-12 MONTHS)

1. Probe the banking sector with an enabling law for trials through Tribunals.

2. Establish a Civil Servants Miscellaneous Offences Tribunal to address corruption in the civil service.

3. Revise the National Food Policy to achieve food self-sufficiency.

4. License new agric banks and small-medium industry banks, emphasizing commercial farming goals.

5. Establish 40 modular refineries strategically, involving state and local governments.

LONG TERM (one year and above)

1. Sustain medium-term policies.

2. Resume civil works for employment and income generation.

3. Initiate agro-processing for exports.

4. Reevaluate Federal Universities of Agric and promote state-owned Agric varsities and technical universities.

5. Ban frivolous imports to strengthen the economy.

6. Avoid price controls; rely on the Theory of Demand and Supply. Focus on exporting excess food to generate foreign income.

In conclusion, execution is crucial. The crisis can be managed with common sense, discipline, and willpower. Thank you for your actions, Mr. President.

Your patriotic subject,

Olufemi Samson Aduwo (OSA)

  

ON RESTRUCTURING :AN OPEN LETTER TO MR.PRESIDENT.

The American system of federal government, which we have adopted, offers a great lesson of how a people of different origins, religions, customary and culture can live together as a nation governed by written constitution. The federation of America was the coming together of existing states, which voluntarily yielded some of their powers to the union for the benefit of the generality of the union. An essential element of the federation is that the union had no power over the states in matters not specifically yielded by the states to the union. Between 1776 and September 17, 1787 when the completed constitution was signed by 39 of the 42 delegates, there were long and arduous debates and comparisons. 

The constitution was finally adopted on June 21, 1788. “We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, unsure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.”   From the foregoing, it is clear beyond doubt that Nigeria started the other way round; first the area now known as Nigeria consisted of over 400 nationalities. The British decided arbitrarily to call the area Nigeria. Originally, it was ruled as two countries, later as a unitary government, later again as three powerful regions and a weak centre and subsequently, the military fragmented it into unviable states and rules for over 30years as a federal government in name but in a unitary government defacto.

As a young school teacher, Alhaji Sheu Shagari (who was to later emerge as the first Executive President (1979 – 83) had in 1948 written strongly against the amalgamation. Sir Ahamdu Bellow as quoted as saying that “amalgamation process” was a “mistake of 1914” in his book on “Nigeria” the German author Walter Schwarz had quoted Sir Ahmadu Bellow the Sarduna of Sokoto as saying, “I would rather be called Sultan of Sokoto than President of Nigeria”. The sage, Chief Awolowo held in 1947 that Nigeria was just a geographical expression, should not have come as a surprise. Nigeria by that time had only been a state for about 34 years, in the annals of state building, it needs more than even a century to develop sense of statehood and to transform a state into nation.   In fact as at 7th century, England was made up of the Independent states of Cornwall, Kent, Wessex, Essex, Sussex, Mercia etc. The area later undergone forceful amalgamation. In the last 100 years, the map of Europe has been drawn and redrawn several times. The first major re-drawing was in 1918 after the First World War. It involved forceful mergers and forceful dissolution of about 15 states it was followed in 1945 by another re-drawing of the map which again led to the disappearance of some states.

It was then followed in 1991 by another re-drawing of the map which led to the disappearance of the Soviet Union and Eastern Germany and the re-mergence of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, etc. Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia disappeared and emergence of Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia, Czech and Slovakia respectively. In other words within spate of 105 years Europe has witnessed not one but several massive nationality revolutions which Africa has not experienced since the Treaty of Berlin in 1884.   We have lived together in a country as Nigerians for more than  hundred years either by accident or otherwise. I believe that nobody in his right sense ought to call for the break up of the country. The situation can be likened to a marriage between two adults in which both parties are not comfortable with the association yet neither party wants it to break up because of the children they have raised. We also do not want the labour of our heroes past and present to be in vain, but only on one condition. The people’s wishes should be allowed to be openly debated and adopted into their own constitution being the organic law that control and moderate socio-economic and political structures of the federation.   Our forefathers like their counterpart in United States foreseen all these and spent many years deliberating on a people’s constitution that would accommodate the nation’s diversity. They came up with 1960 constitution which was later substituted with 1963 constitution. Under the 1963 constitution, the federal government was entitled to pay to each region a sum equal to fifty per cent of the proceeds of mining rents and royalty in respect of minerals derived from each region. The federal government was obliged to credit to the Distributable Pool Account 30percent of the proceeds of the royalty and mining rent received by the federal government after it had given 50 percent to the producing region.

The federal government was only entitled to keep to itself only 20 percent. It was the 30 percent left in the Distributable Pool Account that was shared in the following manner: Northern Nigeria - about 40 percent, Eastern Nigeria – about 31 percent, Western Nigeria – about 18 percent, Mid Western Nigerian – about 6 percent. The system of derivation therefore encouraged healthy competition and consequential growth of the economy. Each region was assured that it was entitled, as of right, to about half of the entire proceeds of its region and also a further part constituting its own share from the Distributable Pool.   With the advent of the military which , the federal structure was dismantled and discarded in preference for the military imposed “unitary system”. The revenue allocation system was also destroyed and the military controlled all the resources of the federation centrally. What Gen. Gowon did as an exigency of war later become permanent. Subsequent governments after Gowon’s decided to hold on to it, of course the federal government found allies in. lazy state governors who preferred to be going cap-in-hand to the federal government to collect the pittance tagged statutory allocations monthly.   The question then is whether it would still be reasonable to apply the 1963 formula where the derivative regions/states would keep about fifty percent of the entire nation’s wealth, while it would not be reasonable in the light of today’s reality, to give as much as 50 percent states, it would be reasonable to give to the states sufficient percentage and other relief options to enable them take care of their environment. The communities should be empowered to exercise ownership of their land. The government should review the land use Act. Mining and exploration activities should involve the government and communities.   In 1994 federal government replaced sale tax which was administered (collected) by state governments. Initially, the state governments were made to believe that they would receive 80 percent of the VAT collected by the FG in their respective states with 20 percent accruing to the FG as cost of administration and collection. But FG quickly inverted this to be 80 percent to itself and 20 percent for the state governments, it was after much pressure that the FG agreed to revert the formula to 35-35-30 for the FG, SG and LG. Under most federations, VAT (a proxy for sale tax) is administered and collected by state or regional governments (sometimes municipal or local governments, where they have the machinery to do so).Mr.  President should be courageous and reverse this fiscal repression Gen. Abacha introduced.   The ample opportunity to have a semblance of people’s constitution was available during the constitution amendment debate, during President Obasanjo regime . Because of a single item, tenure of office, the legislators out of selfish reasons throw away the opportunity, issues of fiscal federalism, devolution of power were slated among items for amendment. The trouble with some self-acclaimed leaders in this country is that a great deal of ignorance is traded as common sense. During the constitution amendment debate at the Senate floor, we saw the senators turned the hallowed chamber to theatre hall and themselves became quack comedians – you hears such words: my people oh! my people says no to third term, what did their people say on other items slated for the amendment were unknown.   The historic problem in democratic practice is the minority or majority tyranny. It occurs in a democracy when majority fail to listen to the opinions of the minority or when minority refuse to listen to the opinion of majority, then democracy would give way to autocracy. Democracies naturally produce a certain disharmony what is required is not agreement, but agreement to act, that is, a common mind to follow a certain course of action while still admitting differences of opinion. We must listen to contrary arguments and allow reason to prevail. 

The South/South delegation made there position on fiscal federalism known at the floor of National conference. The North delegation err in opposing the brilliant presentation and being adamant that the 13 percent should not be reviewed upward. In 2000 the former Governor of Benue, Akume now the Secretary of the Federation spoke on behalf of the 19 governors from the north after their meeting and opposed the establishment of Niger/Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Sometimes a butterfly imagines itself to be a bird. For example how much Benue or Kano state for example contribute to the federation account, the answer is either nothing or a negligible amount. Yet Kano State has 44 local governments which routinely shared by local councils every month. 

The Kano State Government also partakes in the sharing of the volume of national income available to 36 states and FCT. More than about 88 percent of the money in the federation account is contributed by the nine oil producing states and Lagos. The Lagos contribution comes from custom duties at the Apapa and Tin Can ports, income taxes and VAT.  We must effectively treat the causes rather than symptoms, we must recognise that as important as democracy is, however, defined, it can only deliver stability through social and economic justice. The world is full of multi-national states, which have been huge successes such as Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Britain etc and multi-national states, which have been woeful failures such as Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia.

Those have been successful, have been successful because they practice true federalism, with full autonomy to federating units. Those who have failed, have failed because they have failed to practice true federalism. They have run federal states along unitary lines and they have paid dearly for it.The greatest danger to Nigeria unity is the refusal of those who refuse to allow for the restructuring of Nigeria. 

Shakespeare in one of his immortal plays gave this advice to young Hamlet: “This above all, to thy own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man”. Many Nigerian leaders dead or alive were guilty of one of several acts of self-deception. It is an act of self-deception for anyone to argue that there is nothing wrong with the union but we must rebuild the foundation    

Olufemi AduwoPermanent Representative of CCDI to ECOSOC /United Nations Email :olufemi. aduwof@ ccdiltd.org 

Tel :+2348087047173 

NOTE: Also the President of Centre for Convention On Democratic lntegrity ,a non govermental organisation ,registered in Nigeria& United,with CONSULTATIVE STATUS OF UNITED NATIONS 

MAMOOD YAKUBU DECIDES FOR NIGERIA AND NOT THE LAW

Data transmission is the transfer of data from one digital device to another. Dáta, lnformation or disease are what  could be transmitted. Electoral Act, 2022, section 60(5),says, "The Presiding Officer Shall transfer the results including total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot in a manner as prescribed by the Commission" Transfer is used in this context of move able materials from one place to another, which is different from transmission as stated in the Electoral Act, 2022 

Section 64 Nigeria Electoral Act 2022:Endorsement on rejected ballot paper without official mark. 

(4) A collation officer or returning officer at an election shall collate and announce the result of an election, subject to his or her verification and confirmation that the –

(a) number of accredited voters stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the number of accredited voters recorded AND TRANSMITTED directly from polling units under section 47 (2) of this Act;

(b) the votes stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the votes

or results recorded and TRANSMITTED  directly from polling units under section

60 (4) of this Act.

(5) Subject to subsection (1), a collation officer or returning officer shall use the number of accredited voters recorded and TRANSMITTED directly from polling units under section 47 (2) of this Act and the votes or results recorded and TRANSMITTED directly from polling units under section 60 (4) of this Act to collate and announce the result of an election if a collated result at his or a lower level of collation is not correct.

(6) Where during collation of results, there is a dispute regarding a collated result or the result of an election from any polling unit, the collation officer or returning officer shall use the following to determine the correctness of the disputed result –

(a) the original of the disputed collated result for each polling unit where the

election is disputed;

(b) The smart card reader or other technology device used for accreditation of voters in each polling unit where the election is disputed for the purpose of obtaining accreditation data directly from the smart card reader or technology device;

(c) Data of accreditation recorded and transmitted directly from each polling unit

where the election is disputed as prescribed under section 47 (2) of this Act; and

(d) The votes and result of the election recorded and transmitted directly from

each polling unit where the election is disputed, as prescribed under section 60 (4) of this Act.

Fellow Nigerians, these were the issues, Senator Dino Melaye brought to the attention of Professor Mahmood Yakubu during the collation. Yakubu knew what he did was wrong, but he could not help himself to right the wrong, why, he knows. 

Did INEC TRANSMITTED as stipulated by the Electoral Act, 2022 all the results Yakubu announced at the collation centre Abuja, No. 

YAKUBU must step aside immediately Supreme court made a clear judgment of cancellation and re run in many States across the country. Let the proper thing be done, who so win in Free and fair poll would be accepted. 

Olufemi Aduwo

President

Center for Conventionon Democratic Integrity & Rights Monitoring Group (CCDI & RMG)

ASABA ACCORD : MAKINDE MAN OF THE MOMENT

​After the Saturday’s presidential/National Assembly election, the fogs are gradually clearing from the atmosphere.The losers and winners are coming to terms with reality.

The moments of wild frenzy, and flexing of muscles have subsided. The period when politicians ride roughshod has come and gone.

But what is certain and likely to last longer with us is the lesson learnt from the results of the election.In Oyo state, the people can see clearly now going by the results of the election as announced by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ).They can at least see beyond the ridges of their noses.

The opposition party in the state, the All Progressive Congress (APC) came with a sweeping victory, clearing all the three senatorial districts and majority of the 14 House of Representatives seats in the state. Out of the 14 seats, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has four, the All Progressive Congress (APC) eight, while the remaining two seats were declared inconclusive.

As the people illuminate on the result of the election and its implications, one major factor responsible for the victory of the APC in Oyo state is the courageous acts of Governor Seyi Makinde.. This is considered to have had a major impact on the victory recorded by the APC.Governor Makinde’s bravery and ability to stand for justice, fairness and equity spoke volume. Many Nigerians applauded this rear quality as genuine spirit of true statesman. Makinde remains the only governor in the South West who refused to let his political affiliation negate the interest of the region he indigenously hails from.

On many occasions, Governor Makinde reiterated his avowed commitment to stand by the people by electing never to subject his people to slavery.According to him, the accord of the southern governors’ meeting at Asaba, Delta state he stands. He even quoted the northern governors who met and agreed that power should shift to the south as a reference point.

Unlike some Nigerian politicians, whose hirelings, lust and obsessive greed prevent them to seek the good of the society, governor Makinde has toed the right path. Though, he was vilified, harangued and subjected to intense pressure to support the aspirations of Atiku, governor Makinde maintained his calm, refusing to be distracted from pursuing what will bring long term benefits for the people of Oyo state in the next political dispensation and beyond.

Should another Fulani man from the North continue as president after eight years administration of President Mohammadu Buhari? What advantage will Oyo state gain? A yoruba adage says “Teni teni, ti akisa ni a tan”. Meaning that what is yours is yours, rag belongs to the dump.Reminiscent of last Saturday’s poll results in Oyo state, the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Oyo state, is a combination of the ground work of governor Makinde who loves and prioritizes the Southwest region over his political affiliation.

Governor Makinde is a politician worth celebrating; he is someone who lends a voice to the voiceless; who saw evil and refused to shroud it in shawls of lies; he stood for the truth and delivered his state for his kinsman in spite of their political differences.Another point to note is that even though what Makinde did may be considered anti-party by some individuals who see vaguely, it will also be advantageous to the state, as it will make the state connect with the federal government. It will also enhance symbiotic relationship between the two federating units.

Tinubu, a benevolent leader, and democrat must by now have known who are true supporters and friends, those who believe in a united Nigeria and real ‘omoluabi’ ethos. Tinubu should let the world know that he appreciates Governor Seyi Makinde’s courageous acts by giving him a sense of belonging in his government notwithstanding their political differences.

The integrity and passion displayed by Governor Makinde towards ensuring the fulfilment of the agreement of rotation of power to the south remains commendable. Even, if we look at Makinde and what other four Governors are agitating for, it is still centered around equity, fairness and justice which Seyi Makinde stands for. This implies that based on his unique leadership style, he would still have committed to the shifting of power to the South which he signed, no doubt about that.

The results of the election show that Tinubu of the APC won in the state massively with 449,884 votes, defeating Atiku of PDP who got 182,977 votes. Govermor Makinde delivered all the 33 Local Governments to Tinubu. He ensured that he fulfilled the agreements of power shift vigorously.

With this development, there’s no doubt that the government of Seyi Makinde of PDP would have harmonious and good working relationship with the federal government which would be led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the APC, which would be of great benefit to Oyo State.Once again, many political pundits may see the act of Makinde as anti-party activity. May we remind them that the act of patriotism towards the survival of Nigeria, which Makinde has exhibited surpasses any other thing, including political activities.

^{Governor Makinde of Oyo State} 

Since Governor Makinde didn’t see working strategically for APC to ensure its victory at the presidential polls as anti-party, APC should not see it as an act of anti-party to reward a gallantry act for the development of Oyo State and South West.A leader of such a great integrity like Seyi Makinde should be celebrated in Nigeria. He should be regarded as the man of the moment.

Olufemi Aduwo 

President, 

Centre For Convention on Democratic lntegrity & Rights Monitoring Group ( CCDI & RMG)

THINK, YORUBA THINK!

​THE buffaloes move as a herd with unalloyed loyalty to the leader. Like the soldier ants, they move in a convoy. But unlike soldier ants, they only take instructions from their leader and if by chance the leader dies, they just stand around waiting for the instruction that will never come. That is how buffaloes are getting extinct. Papa Awolowo on campaign rostrum at Jos in the 60s said: “We are an ideological indomitable straight tree (referring to Action Group members who drew their numerical strength from Yoruba)”.

 

The Yoruba are not buffaloes neither could any mortal nor any group of persons direct them sheepishly in political permutation and manipulation of the Nigerian state. Yoruba acknowledge the structure of leadership and pay due allegiance to the constituted authorities. The loyalty and faithfulness of the Yoruba to their political leaders  must not be turned into political mining ground for never- do- well politicians, who lack virtue and moral trait of leadership.

The Yoruba are intrinsically proud people who cherish their freedom. Long before the British King Charles literally lost his head in a revolt against intolerable oppression; the Yoruba had established a tradition for taming intolerable despots. As a Nigerian, I would be extremely concerned and embarrassed if Bola Tinubu became Nigeria’s next president.. 

As a Yoruba, I would be deeply disappointed and ashamed. Why? Well, as a Nigerian, I would be concerned and embarrassed because a Tinubu presidency would devastate Nigeria internally and demean it externally. As a Yoruba, I would be disappointed and ashamed because Tinubu’s politics and behaviour are antithetical to the values Yorubas claim define them; values of integrity, character and honesty, encapsulated in the honour-signalling Yoruba word: Omoluabi! 

First, for Nigeria, a Tinubu presidency would destroy the fabric of presidential politics in this country. It would legitimise a self-serving behaviour where someone entrusted with public office rapaciously amasses inexplicable wealth and uses the stupendous wealth to manoeuvre his way to Nigeria’s presidency.

 If that were to happen, the presidency of Nigeria wouldn’t only be tainted by slush funds, but it would also be for sale, going to the highest bidder. No one has ever become Nigeria’s president that way; rather, the virtuous path held more allure for all past successful presidential candidates.To be clear, this is not about wealth, but its sources. MKO Abiola nearly became Nigeria’s first billionaire president. But everyone knew he was a government contractor and an international businessman. He never held public office, not state governor, not local government chairman!

Similarly, if Aliko Dangote were to run for president, no one would question the sources of his wealth: we see them everywhere. Although a beneficiary of crony capitalism, Dangote has never controlled the public purse. He has never held a public office! But Tinubu was governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. So, how did he become, in his words, “richer than Osun State”, owning private jets? 

A Tinubu presidency would make Nigeria a laughingstock globally, accentuated by Tinubu’s unpresidential carriage and gait and his crude manner of speaking, particularly his habitual gaffes and slurring words. 

The Financial Times recently referred to “his shifting versions of where his money came from.” In one version, Tinubu’s aides said he owned a large share in Manchester United, the renowned UK Football Club. Recently, Tinubu himself said he became a multibillionaire through real estate. All these stretch credulity, raising questions about how he got the money to make those investments. Well, he faces strong allegations of state capture, of grand corruption, of large-scale transfer of public resources for private interests. Tinubu’s reflex response to the allegations is: “Prove it”!

But such blasé dismissiveness won’t suffice in sane climes. Elsewhere, someone so stinking wealthy, with no known legitimate source of his wealth, especially being in public life, cannot glide insouciantly to a nation’s leadership without absolute openness about the source of his wealth.

This matters because unexplained and inexplicable wealth distorts politics and undermines democracy. As we know, deep pockets determine the outcome of presidential primaries. Indeed, prominent members of Tinubu’s party, All Progressives Congress (APC), have accused him of bribing APC governors, delegates and fellow aspirants to clinch the party’s presidential ticket. But deep pockets can also influence the result of presidential elections; slush funds can be used to buy votes. That’s one reason why, given his inexplicable wealth, a Tinubu victory would be disastrous; it would license, reward, and perpetuate a morally corrupt and bankrupt politics in Nigeria.

Of course, there’s also the documented case of Tinubu’s drug-related past. In the early 1990s, he forfeited $460,000 to US authorities after they concluded that certain funds in his bank accounts were “proceeds of narcotic trafficking and money laundering,” and accused him of being part of a drug cartel, a bagman handling and laundering drug money. Such a person would never dream of becoming president of a country with the right value system

Truth is, a Tinubu presidency would make Nigeria a laughingstock globally, accentuated by Tinubu’s unpresidential carriage and gait and his crude manner of speaking, particularly his habitual gaffes and slurring words. And, of course, at home, his Muslim-Muslim ticket would further erode internal cohesion, while his proposed statist policies and fiscal activism would destroy Nigeria’s economy, deepening poverty and escalating corruption... 

Yet, despite all that, Nigerians may elect him as the next president this week, which, if it happened, would vindicate the French philosopher Joseph de Maistre, who said: “Every country gets the government it deserves.” As someone also said, a rescue mission cannot succeed if people aren’t entirely sure they want to be saved. However, I believe Nigerians can choose to save Nigeria and themselves by rejecting Tinubu at the polls this week, on February 25.

Which brings me to the Yorubas.In a recent article in this column, I wrote that two sections of Nigeria could decide whether Tinubu became Nigeria’s next president: the South-West, which might vote massively for him, and the North, which might give him enough votes to win the race.

However, in that article, I appealed to the North’s sense of patriotism, urging them not to foist a Tinubu presidency on Nigeria. Well. In this article, I appeal to the Yoruba’s sense of honour, to their omoluabi ethos! The Yorubas pride themselves on having the values of integrity, character and honesty. Perversely, however, they also have a saying that undermines those values. The Toruba say: ‘omoeni ki sedibebere, ka fi ilekesiidiomoelomiran.’ Roughly interpreted, it means that however ugly one’s child’s bottom is, one won’t put beads in the bottom of another person’s child instead.

Well, that’s true, literally: you can’t reject your own child! But when applied to politics, the saying absurdly means that even if someone from your tribe is an embezzler, a drug baron or an infirm youwould choose him as governor or president over a better candidate from another tribe or ethnicity. That negates the Omoluabi ethos. Yet, sadly, that’s how some Yorubas view Tinubu’s candidacy in the presidential election: he’s a Yoruba, so, we’ll vote for him! Of course, Tinubu opportunistically whips up the ethnic sentiments.

Recently, while campaigning in Ado-Ekiti, he told the crowd: “This election is not about me because I’m not looking for what to eat.” Really? So, despite his “lifelong ambition”, despite his “emilokan” sense of entitlement, he’s not in the race for himself but for “hungry” Yorubas who are “looking for what to eat”? Of course, the election is about him, his family and his cronies; they all relish the power to rule Nigeria. Yet, he’s insulting the intelligence of supposedly well-educated people!

Well, he went on. “This election is yours. You will use it to liberate yourselves,” he told the people, adding: “They want to turn us into slaves. We are not slaves.” Who are the “they” who want to turn Yorubas into slaves? And how can Tinubu say anyone wants to turn Yorubas into slaves in Nigeria when they’ve produced president for eight years and vice-president for nearly eight years since 1999? What about Igbos who have produced neither? It’s utterly insensitive and self-serving!

Ironically, if anyone is enslaving the Yoruba, it’s Tinubu himself. Chief Obafemi Awolowo liberated the Yoruba through education, Tinubu is enslaving them, at least those in Lagos, through feudalism. He’s the “owner” of Lagos, the feudal lord, and others, from the governor down to councillors, are serfs, who must carry out his wishes and pay homage to him. Feudalism is alien to the Yoruba, but Tinubu feudalises Lagos, using his inexplicable wealth and political power to subjugate the people. 

Tinubu violates Yoruba moral code and introduces an alien system, feudalism, into the race. Yet, a Tinubu presidency would be such a disaster that it would do even more harm to the Yoruba race. Thus, it would be sad and shameful if Yorubas enabled the emergence of a Tinubu presidency. Hence, the plea: Yoruba ronu! Think, Yoruba, think!

Olufemi Aduwo. 

President 

Centre For Convention on Democratic lntegrity, (CCDI) - Nigeria & United States and Permanent Representative of CCDI to United Nations.