• Says President has wherewithal to redirect Nigeria
• As Akande hails president decisions so far
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Northern elder statesman and Leader of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has expressed the confidence that President Bola Tinubu will replicate the economic expansion of Lagos State in Nigeria.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after meeting the Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he also suggested a time line of between six months and one year for Nigerians to start seeing the huge difference between the current administration and previous ones.
The elder statesman, who made the visit along with some members of his family, said being the last leader of the country from the political class, President Tinubu has all it takes to return Nigeria to the path of rectitude and growth, as had been seen in other developed climes.
Yakasai, who described the last few days of the administration as impressive, however appealed to Nigerians to pray that Tinubu succeeds in his mission to straighten the country and for all citizens to support his vision.
“Some of you are aware that before Asiwaju declared his ambition to be the President of Nigeria, he visited my house and informed me of his intention. I blessed his intention. Now, after he has gotten what he wanted, my wives and the entire family said I should return the visit to Asiwaju. I can’t bring all of them, I picked some of them, we came just to congratulate Asiwaju on his election as President of this country.
“We are looking, we are yearning for God to bring somebody like Asiwaju to be the President of Nigeria. From Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Asiwaju is the last leader of this country from the political class and I’m a politician, I spent 60 something years in politics. I know that only politicians will correct this country, as they’ve done in Germany, as they’ve done in America, as they’ve done in England and other places, Russia and Soviet Union.
“I’m happy that Asiwaju has now been elected by the people of Nigeria as President of this country. I saw what Asiwaju did in Lagos, with Lagos people, now Lagos, in terms of revenue and development, is bigger than a lot of countries in Africa. When I visited Lagos and I was taken round, I said I prayed that God will bring Asiwaju to lead this country and replicate what he did for Lagos to Nigeria and God has answered my prayers.
“Let us thank God, all of us, for bringing Asiwaju to be the leader of this country, let us pray that he will succeed in his mission and let us pray that all Nigerians, regardless of their tribes, will give him cooperation and we’ll all team up with him to work hard and correct the mistake of the past and drag this country to move forward”, he said.
Asked how the administration had fared in the last few days, Yakasai who said he was at the villa to congratulate Tinubu said “so far, so good, I’m justified, I’m glad that he has proven his worth and I’m sure in the next six months to one year, everybody in Nigeria will come to testify that the administration of Asiwaju is different from all the administrations they have witnessed before”.
President Tinubu, also met with pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bisi Akande.
The elder statesman also expressed his expectations for the administration, stating that Nigerians should anticipate the rejigging of the the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the reinstatement of good governance in the country.
He emphasised that Nigerians at the day off should be able to acknowledged that the APC brought good governance to Nigeria.
When asked for any advice he gave the President, Akande stated that it was not yet the right time for advice since Nigerians are presently satisfied with the President’s performance.
Regarding the critical decisions that the President has taken in the last 15 days, Akande commented that people are happy with him and the perception of the country is very good.
Akande said “People will expect the rejigging of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the reestablishment of good governance in Nigeria. And it should go on record that the APC brings good governance to Nigeria.”
On the critical decisions President Tinubu has taken in the last 15 day, he said: “Oh! I merely watched the perception of the country, very excellent. People are happy with him. And that is why I boldly come during day time (smile).
When questioned about the particular details during the meeting, Akande humoredly replied that he was a “village man” from Osun State and he only wanted to see how the President lives.
He also joked about asking the President when they would create a “Camp David” in Nigeria where the President could go to rest.