Victor Ojealabi/January 30, 2023.
A political advocacy group, Hope Movement, in collaboration with the Strategic Movement for BAT Presidency (SMBP), has stated that the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate is the key to economic prosperity for the coming generation.
This was made known to the media at a talk entitled: ‘Asiwaju Affirmation Seminar’, which had in attendance many political heavyweights in Ogun State and was held in Abeokuta, the state’s capital, on Saturday, January 28, 2023.
In a paper presented by the guest lecturer, Jamiu Bashir, on ‘Unlocking Economic Prosperity for Generation Next’, said: “Asiwaju is more than qualified to pilot the affairs of the nation in ensuring that Nigeria becomes something the future generation can be proud of.”
In his own remarks, the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the deputy governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele stated that Tinubu’s capacity to assemble a strong team to initiate and execute developmental policies and programs has never been in doubt judging from his antecedent as the Lagos State governor.
“It is not enough to hold a seminar as we are having, but the most important thing is to go out there and to put our words to action. Your activity on Twitter and IG as a youth does not count but your PVC with which you will vote is the most important. Take charge of your future,” the governor added.
The global convener of the Hope Movement, Godwin Odusami, resonated that the APC candidate has the ability to drive the needed growth and development in Nigeria.
He expressed worry over the growing poverty and economic hardship both in the rural and urban setting, saying the country needs to be handed over to the person who has the experience and capacity to solve the problems.
On his part, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Chairman in Ogun State, Architect Samson Popoola said Tinubu has invested so much in the democracy of this country to earn him the presidency.
“Whatever they say about Tinubu, some other people have done worse, and they were able to rule. If they say Tinubu is sick, we have had someone that was on the hospital bed, and somebody was campaigning for him, and he became the President.
“What are we talking about? If it is our own turn to bring someone of our own to lead, I think Tinubu has invested a lot in the democracy of this country to earn him the leadership.”
The convener of Strategic Movement for BAT Presidency 2023, Chief Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo said:
“The youths deserve the best in this country. As elders, we have experienced good times as youths in this country but it’s unfortunate what the generation unfolding is experiencing. I feel we need leadership that is responsive to the yearnings of the youths, which was the essence of the lecture for today.
“Aside from this, I also saw some misgiving in the polity, where people felt maybe Bola Ahmed Tinubu had a sense of entitlement by saying that ‘emilokan’.
“The Emilokan statement was targeted at the APC delegates from Ogun State. Even in the United States, there is an ‘emilokan’ syndrome. It’s not written in their constitution but any sitting president would be given the opportunity of contesting. The same thing in the United Kingdom; it’s the leader of the party that would be given the first consideration for contesting.
“Tinubu saying ‘emilokan’ was only directed to the APC members; he wasn’t referring to the generality of the Nigerians, who would vote when the time comes.
“Of all the contestants, Bola Ahmed has been tested and he has performed. Let us forget about trivialities. I’ve worked with Atiku Abubakar before and I know him very well when he was in Customs. The same thing goes for Peter Obi and none of them has the qualities of Asiwaju in terms of governance. And I believe the country would be transformed,” Chief Taiwo concluded.