•Says heavens won’t fall if FG releases IPOB leader
Reasons given for purchase of luxury SUVs by NASS members insulting to Nigerians
Chief Oladipo Oyewole is the Secretary-General, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE). in this interview with OLUSEYE OJO, he reveals the position of the council on the state of the nation. He speaks on President Bola Tinubu’s ministers and their portfolios, fuel subsidy removal and its effects on the citizenry, security of lives and property in Yorubaland and Nigeria, crude oil theft, and the economy. He also advocated the release of the detained leader of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from incarceration, towards full integrating of the South East into the national polity.
What are your impressions on President Bola Tinubu’s ministers and their portfolios?
On the appointment of government ministers and the portfolios they are assigned, there is no doubt that they are the right choices of people with proven integrity. I believe that they will serve well in the portfolios assigned to them.
Are Tinubu’s ministers round pegs in round holes? Can you set agenda for them?
The ministers that have been appointed by President Tinubu are for real, and they are round pegs in round holes. But it will not be right for us to set an agenda for them. The President, being a manager and a high achiever, has his objectives. He has put them in the right path by deliberately setting goals and objectives for each and every one of them.
Our expectation is for their boss to drive them. As a manager, he has given them guidelines and deadlines. They are all to act on strict instructions for delivery of (their) performance of ministerial activities. None of them is a push back.
What are your views on the activities of President Tinubu in the last five months?
Looking back and matching activities with reports and devious intentions, the President has been doing well with his masterminded planning endeavours in the past eight months.
The rot of the past is such that we cannot be too much in a hurry. But surely, results will come to promote Nigeria and move her affairs forward to the high level that we expect.
What is your view on fuel subsidy removal and its attendant hardship?
Removal of fuel subsidy is a pragmatic step taken by the president on the very day he took over the affairs of Nigeria as the president. Now, between you and I, what is petroleum subsidy?
From a layman’s understanding and for all that has been exposed, petroleum subsidy is an arrangement approved by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to facilitate regular availability of petroleum products to Nigeria for Nigerians.
For the foregoing, those involved in the administration of that product were able to manipulate the situation to the disadvantage of the masses. The manipulations that went with it for money making became ridiculous because of the rate at which they were amassing wealth fraudulently.
In view of the fraud prevalent in that system, it had to go! And only a brave mind could have done what President Tinubu did. His predecessor obviously made the pronouncement but did not activate or actualise its implementation. But only the brave can make things happen in governance in Nigeria and indeed anywhere in the world.
The attendant hardships that the populace is going through now will be a thing of the past when the president settles down. That will be very soon. Watch out!
Are you okay with the performance of the presidential election petition tribunals and the recent judgment of the Supreme Court that affirmed the election of PresidentTinubu?
The tribunal has taken a decision on the political leadership of this country. So, it is up to every well meaning Nigerian to think well of Nigeria and to wish President Bola Ahmed Tinubu well. He will move Nigeria forward and the country will rise again.
The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) stands firmly in support of the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, delivered on Thursday October 26, 2023, which upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu, as determined by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in September and as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This victory is not just for President Tinubu, but for the entire state of Nigeria and all Nigerians. It is a testament to the progress and strength of our nation, and we must acknowledge that it is the Lord’s doing, not merely the efforts of men.
Nigeria, as a nation, has faced numerous challenges over the years. However, it is through unity and a collective effort that we can overcome these challenges and move our great country forward.
We must all come together as one, regardless of our political affiliations or ethnic backgrounds, to work towards the betterment of Nigeria.
Just as an American wakes up every morning and says, “God bless America,” we too must speak good things into existence for our beloved nation. Let us proclaim that Nigeria shall be great, and through our positive affirmations and actions, it will become a reality.
I want my fellow Nigerians to know that in a matter of months to come, we will begin to experience the fruits of our collective efforts. Our economy will improve, our infrastructure will be revitalised, and our people will enjoy the benefits of good governance. It is a new dawn for Nigeria, and we must embrace this moment with hope and determination.
So, I call upon all Nigerians to actively participate in the progress and development of our nation. Let us support President Bola Tinubu as he leads us towards a brighter future. Let us put aside our differences and focus on what unites us – the love for our homeland, Nigeria.
I want to reiterate that the Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for Nigeria as a whole. It is a validation of our democratic process and an opportunity for us to come together and build a stronger, more prosperous nation.
I encourage all Nigerians to continue to believe in the inherent greatness of our country and to play our part in making Nigeria shine on the global stage. Together, we can achieve greatness.
Kidnapping seems to have gone down a bit in the South West, but violence being fuelled by cultism is on the rise. How can that be curbed?
On the surface, it seems kidnapping has gone down in the South West, but then, we cannot go to sleep. The Amotekun Security Team must be supported and encouraged to do better. Yes, I agree that there is a process of adulteration in progress. Cultism is springing up in schools at all levels, even in primary schools. To the novice, that is the best way for any individual to be indoctrinated. Such people do not have a mind of their own. They slowly get enslaved and ultimately gain ground to terrorise the larger community. It should be clamped upon.
Insecurity has continued unabated in Kaduna, Benue, Plateau, and Zamfara. Why the fresh killings again?
As for insecurity in the North and in Plateau State, the Federal Government is aware that this is where illegal mining of mineral resources is ongoing. Attention should be paid by the Federal Government and importantly by the Ministry responsible for Mineral Resources to put an end to issues of illegal mining. Once that is done, altercations and incursions by marauders would be addressed. For as long as illegal mining is allowed to thrive in any part of the state, there is bound to be insurgency and strive leading to killings at any time.
So, what is the permanent solution to the challenges?
The permanent solution to the challenges posed by aggressions is in the hands of our police and the military.
In what ways did the policies of the Muhammadu Buhari regime aid the insecurity in Kaduna and Middle Belt as well as South East?
No other part of this country suffered as much as the people of Kaduna throughout the duration of the last administration. There was no peace in Kaduna State. There is a lot of noise that the perpetrators of instability in Kaduna and all around the Middle Belt are those mercenaries invited or recruited from the West African States, who opted to stay in Nigeria after the Presidential Election that brought President Buhari to power.
Reportedly, these people were not catered onto which caused them to fend for themselves by engaging in anti-social activities (mainly) of kidnapping and demanding ransom. These ones made the environment tough for citizens and inhabitants who could not but live in fear as they felt insecure. Rather than exit their nefarious activities, the Federal Government through the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasie El Rufai negotiated with them to no avail. They plundered the Nigerian environment all through the duration of the last administration of President Buhari.
A reasonable Nigerian and any close analyst of political affairs will agree that it is the lack of action during that period that has just caused the rejection of a ministerial nominee from serving under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. El Rufai was rejected with vehemence for high security reasons.
In the South East, IPOB took a firm grip of the affairs of the people as if the local government, state government and the Federal Government were not in existence to administer the affairs of the populace.
The federal Government should look at the situation and work towards releasing Nnamdi Kanu and regaining the confidence of South Easterners by giving them the feeling of belongingness for which they are advocating.
How can the FG totally curb banditry in places like Zamfara?
On the issue of banditry in Nigeria, the Federal Government should give more support to the police and all security agencies to do their work effectively. Attention should be given as well to curbing illegal mining in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, where it is quite obvious that nefarious activities are ongoing unabated. We should be structured.
The elections are over, but the disunity in the country continues. How can the government unite Nigerians?
With the election over and with the President properly seated after the Supreme Court ruling, he will now be able to face the task of uniting Nigerians in all the ways possible. Yes, the government can unite Nigeria and give all of us a sense of belonging.
Asari Dokubo recently said military officers were responsible for 99 per cent of oil theft. How can Nigeria stop the oil theft?
Asari Dokubo, who said mainly military officers were responsible for oil theft is not totally wrong. We heard of what they were doing and the authorities have their details. Let them be investigated properly and sanctioned. He is not being condemned in making the assertion.
To put a stop to oil theft, technology has advanced to provide monitors and recorders for incorporation into (the) flow system, where crude oil is lifted. This should be done without delay and at the same time an oath of allegiance should be taken by all officers, who administer the affairs of NNPCL to ensure their sincerity of purpose and stop their unfortunate activities from stealing from all of us.
What is your advice for President Tinubu, the governors and ministers?
Our concrete advice to President Tinubu is that he should remember that he went through the “furnace” to be declared President of the most populous black nation. He is not a reluctant leader as we had in this country before. Now that he has full command and control, let him, scientifically and democratically put dynamic measures in place to make things happen for the good of all. When the affairs of Nigeria is duly moved forward and improved, one is convinced of a high outcome from the arrangements he has put in place.
All governors should take a cue from the leadership (the Presidency) to serve and serve diligently so that their time will advance the lots of this great nation, even for their names to be written in gold for posterity.
Ministers are appointed at the consideration of the president. It is obvious that this president has given assignments to well meaning individuals, who must support his management skills to drive the state of the nation forward.
Basically, going through their past activities, they are men dedicated and women with proven records of achievements. As I said above, they are men and women who are “round pegs in round holes”. They must deliver to prove the President right of his choice of able lieutenants.
On the performance and activities of local government chairmen or administrators, much is now expected because they are now to have their allocations disbursed to them directly. They also should do well by serving the masses well at grassroots level.
Be that as it may, the manipulative tendency of governors, putting incompetent “Yes Men” in these all-important official positions must be stopped forthwith. We need good results and we deserve it.
The economy is in dire straits, yet the National Assembly just procured brand new SUVs for federal lawmakers. Is it only the poor that should be making sacrifices?
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has a job to do in the way of educating and giving proper directives to average Nigerians to love this nation. We have missed the love of our country and have been dedicated to self. The above is the evidence of reasons for self service at all levels of public activities.
Our Representatives in the Houses seem to be there to look after themselves. They feed well and feed fat, maybe because of money polities. They “pay” to be appointed and they see no allegiance to the mandate given them by the voters. This must change. The service of every elected official must be for the betterment or improvement of the masses in Nigeria. There is work to do in this area and the work must go down to the level of child civic education to love Nigeria and know that this is our country.
The purchase of SUVs for federal lawmakers at N160million each (or thereabout) is extravagant. It appears even more insulting when one considers the explanations given that they are not expensive because the roads are bad. Very insulting. When a summary of the burden of expenses is made in maintaining each service officer, a lot of the resources of this country would have been depleted.
All of these need to be reviewed at this time of PresidentTinubu. The interest of the down and low citizens must come to the fore this time around. It is important for the administration to look at it fully.
There’s a new 1.5 billion dollars loan that President Tinubu has secured from the World Bank. What is your views on that?
President Tinubu has secured the $1.5 billion loan he applied for from the World Bank. The loan is to be expended on low-interest financing to support the nation’s budget to meet upcoming policy reforms under the Development Policy Financing Programme.
The loan is to aid the boosting of the economy generally to advance economic growth and reduce poverty. It is welcome. However its management and administration must be geared to seep down to get to the masses as expected. Let this Federal Government touch the lives of Nigerians and all will be well.
What’s your take on Tinubu’s perceived nepotistic appointments of his Lagos/ Yoruba people?
The President has appointed people of his choice into office to help make his task light and to achieve his goals and objective. For an achiever to perform, the first thing to do is to appoint individuals who can deliver on his behalf. Indeed the first sets of immediate appointment were of people known to him by reputation to achieve his own dream goals, which he did.
Today the cabinet is filled with (and continues to attract) more well meaning Nigerians, who have specific command “to deliver on order.” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is President of Nigerians, who had worked hard but quietly according to testimonies that we read and hear about all over the country. One believes that this is harvest time for the President who has “a foot” in every part of this country. We can say without fear and with authority that his predecessor tilted the pendulum to his specific Fulani race. That is not the case here. It is a matter of competence and expectation on delivery for the good of Nigeria.
Shouldn’t Tinubu just release Nnamdi Kanu to end insecurity and crisis in the South East?
A few weeks ago, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo alias Sunday Igboho was “allowed to go” and the heaven did not and has not fallen. What is wrong with considering Nnamdi Kanu from regaining his freedom from incarceration? The young man should be seriously warned and allowed to go. After all, we see better and we know that there is little he can do which the “Federal Might” cannot contain.
To make peace and to absorb the clan or race, this administration should let him regain his freedom. There are psychologists who can help to assuage his condition so that all of them in the South East can be fully reintegrated into the new Nigeria of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. May Nigeria rise again.