Why we’re pitching our tents with Tinubu
Comrade Elliot Afiyo is the fifth National President of the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), an umbrella body of 42 Northern youth groups. It was formed by the Northern political, military, traditional and religious leaders on September 26 1994, with the sole aim of protecting and propagating the interest of the North within the national interest.
In this interview with Billy Graham Abel, Comrade Afiyo, a senior pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Secretary-General of the Association of West African Monarchs (AWAM), bares his mind and that of the Forum on some burning national issues, even as he openly declared his support and that of his group for President Bola Tinubu and his administration.
You have been silent since the judgment of the Presidential Election Tribunal and subsequently, that of the Supreme Court. What is the reason for the silence?
Our forum decided not to make any comment on these judgments until after consultations with our patrons. My visit today is part of the consultation process and I am glad to tell you that we have concluded that process and have addressed the press.
During that press conference you made mention of your patrons coming together to support President Tinubu. Can we say then that it is your collective decision?
The Presidential Election Tribunal ruled that President Tinubu won the election and this judgment was affirmed by the Supreme Court. By implication, President Tinubu becomes the legal and constitutionally recognized President and Commander-in-Chief, at least for the next four years. This also implies that his decisions are binding on all Nigerians, his instructions must be carried out, his commands must be obeyed and his actions are legally backed up. There is nothing anybody could do to change or alter this fact. Whether the judgments were wrongly delivered or not, they are binding on us and remain sacrosanct. Our patrons are advanced citizens and nationalists, and as patriots, they have strong belief in a progressive and peaceful Nigeria. They have all agreed to support, encourage and participate in the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu to salvage our country, despite their seeming differences. I want you to know that Tinubu is a divine project that will lay the foundation for a greater Nigeria. He is definitely the Moses but not the Joshua.
How soon are we going to witness the support for the administration?
Very soon. They have given us the go-ahead to arrange for meetings and interfaces between them and the President. We have already agreed to initiate the process. That should be after our NEC meeting next week. We would surely contact the president through one of our patrons who is close to him.
You made mention of lopsided appointment by the present administration, though you said it is not the first time we are witnessing it. What suggestions would you give to the Federal Character Commission?
The Federal Character Commission deals with the public and civil service recruitments and appointments. We are talking of political appointments here. If you listen to me very attentively during the press conference, you will observe that I made an analogy comparing the disparity and the gap created by these appointments since independence. Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari widened this gap. Only President Obasanjo successfully narrowed the gap both as a military Head of State and as a democratically-elected President. We are seeing another dimension towards this gap. As I said earlier, the Northerners must not complain. But can we continue this way as we strive towards a united Nigeria?
The president, in my opinion, should create an independent political appointments office to be headed by a Special Adviser or Special Assistant to be reporting directly to him instead of the present set up that is in the hands of his Chief of Staff or SGF. Though it is impossible to balance up, it is very possible to narrow the gap and create a sense of belonging for everyone.
Some Northern clerics are claiming that Abuja belongs to the North and as such the minister must be a Northerner. What do you have to say about it?
It is total ignorance or deliberate and calculated propaganda. Abuja belongs to Nigeria under the trust of Mr. President. Nobody can dictate or force the president to appoint a particular person as a minister from Sokoto or Kano not to talk of Abuja. The President has the prerogative power and right to appoint even an herbalist or babalawo as minister of FCT subject to confirmation by the Senate under the democratic dispensation.
When Lagos was the Federal Capital, Alhaji Mahmud Ribadu was appointed the Administrator of Lagos by the Prime Minister. Not a single Lagosian, Yoruba or Southerner came out to complain not to talk of claiming the ownership. Ribadu is adjudged today to be the best administrator that Lagos ever produced because, he designed the Lagos master plan and ensured that it is implemented to the details even when his life was threatened by an acclaimed Babalawo. Today, we have the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan Stadium, Defence House and the State House in Marina Lagos because Ribadu risked his life by ensuring that the master plan is adhered too. His Excellency Nyesom Wike should ignore all these threats and focus on the restoration of the Abuja master plan. President Tinubu should also give Wike the needed political freedom to do the needful.
If I may ask, if Abuja actually belong to us as the clerics are claiming, how many votes did President Tinubu get from the supposed owners of Abuja that they are demanding that their own should be made minister of the FCT?
What do you think should be done to counter the propaganda?
The government should do something fast and urgently too to counter this propaganda before the rural northern population is polluted. You know they have rigid beliefs and are susceptible to indoctrination. If such is not done, the Tinubu administration will encounter a very stiff and unimaginable opposition and hatred which will make that of Jonathan administration a child’s play. On our own part, we have directed our local government coordinators to engage in rural awareness to counter this propaganda.
There was a video of a cleric calling for prayers and incantations against President Tinubu and Wike…
Who is he that will harm you if you are a doer of that which is good? No divination against Jacob shall stand. Only the counsel of the Lord shall prevail. Do you know how many prayers were offered against President Tinubu’s victory and assumption of office? God answers prayers on one condition. That is, if you pray according to His will, He will answer. Do you know that some churches declared fasting and prayers including vigils against Tinubu? I was referred to and called a suspect by my one of our pastors because I did not support Prof Yemi Osinbajo and later Peter Obi? Where are they now? Many pastors openly declared them as God’s choice. I laughed because they have Samuelic mentality which Prophet Samuel displayed in the house of Jesse in 1 Samuel 16 from verse 6-7.I Sam 16:6-7)
You’ve been are one of Atiku’s strong pillars and confidants. What is your advice to him now that the Supreme Court has affirmed president Tinubu’s victory?
Atiku has done his best towards deepening and strengthening our democracy and democratic institutions and structures. He has said on several occasions that he will appeal to God after the Supreme Court verdict. When somebody appeals to God, it means he has nothing to do or say again. He either waits for God’s goodwill, permissive and acceptable will or perfect and affirmative will. As I said earlier, the Supreme Court has settled all the issues concerning the 2023 presidential elections. President Tinubu is now the authentic and constitutional president of Nigeria. All our political differences must be buried for now. All hands must be on deck to assist and support the president to succeed. Assuredly, I am telling you now, we are 100% behind President Tinubu. That does not mean that we can’t give him constructive criticisms.
What is your stand concerning the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas?
I am neither for Israel nor Hamas. I am not against Israel or Hamas. I am for peace and I am totally against Illuminati who are deliberately initiating and sponsoring wars and conflicts to destroy lives and property so as to reduce the world’s population.