Politics
2023: Tinubu better positioned to transform Nigeria, says group
Ahead of Saturday’s Presidential election, a group under the aegis of BAT Elite has said that the former governor of Lagos state and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is better positioned to transform the country if elected president.
The group also called on the Southwest youths to rally around Tinubu to realize his political dreams.
According to Wale Oladiti, the leader of the group, BAT Elite is a movement in the right direction in sensitizing Nigerians, especially the Southwest youths to pay back good what Tinubu has done in making sure democracy gets its right footings in the country.
Speaking in Ibadan at the program organized by Southwest Progressive Youths, tagged: “Tinubu 2023: “The push to the finish line,” Oladiti said Nigerians should consider capability and competence ahead of religion or ethnicity.
“Though I’m not a politician I’m here because of Tinubu I will never stop campaigning for him until he becomes the President. He is the best man for the job, not because he is a Yoruba man or because he comes from Lagos, Tinubu is someone I’ve known for the past 17 years, I know who he is and what he is capable of doing.
“BAT Elite Group is a group of young businessmen, we believe that if the government put the right policies in place, businesses would thrive but the wrong policies would affect everyone including the businessmen, that is why we the elite group feel as if we should also contribute our quota, we have come out to identify with him because we believe if the good government is in place, the business will thrive and businessmen will do better.”
Oladiti who reeled out the reasons why Tinubu should be the next president of Nigeria, said “His experience put him at a vantage position to rescue the country from its current myriad of challenges.
“Emerging we have the kind of development we are currently having in Lagos state in about 15 out of the 36 states of the federation, emerging the kind of job opportunity we would have had across the country, let’s think beyond tribal sentiments, Tinubu is the best man for the job.”
While calling for support for Tinubu, he stated that he can transform the country and make it better if elected.
“We need to elect a leader with track records, he has done it before and he can do it again.”
He noted that the reason why he is championing the campaign now is that he wants every Nigerian to know that nobody in Nigeria knows the economy with their yearnings and aspirations like Jagaba of Nigeria, so it is high time the people needed to support him come 2023 general elections.
“Forget everything they are saying about him, he is the only candidate that has toured almost all the states in Nigeria. So, don’t be distracted!”
Recalling what the APC National leader did that warrant the youth’s support in 2023, Oladiti, said “There were so many developments through him in Lagos, he created so many opportunities in the State.
“He is brilliant and intelligent.”
The immediate past National Deputy Youth Leader of APC, Afeez Bolaji, said the essence of the event was to sensitize youths on why they have to vote for Tinubu, saying Nigeria is in a critical situation and needs someone with leadership experience to be at the helm of affairs.
“There is no room for trial and error again, Tinubu has done it before, Nigerians should vote for a candidate that has antecedent and competence, looking at the situation of the country, the best man Nigeria need is Tinubu.
“Every youth deserves a better future, and the future we are looking for can only be achieved through the candidacy of Tinubu, youth should go out and vote for Tinubu because he will protect their future if elected,” he said.
The Special Assistant to Ogun Governor on Housing, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola said Tinubu has the best plan for youths, saying Tinubu has mentored and pushed many youths to greater heights.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday received an enthusiastic reception from supporters and residents of Ihima community in Kogi State, despite a state government ban on rallies and processions.
By 8 am, crowds from the five local government areas of Kogi Central Senatorial District, which Akpoti-Uduaghan represents, had flooded the Ihima community in Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) to welcome the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker.
Several local musicians entertained the gathering as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the senator. Their patience was soon rewarded when Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived in a white helicopter, prompting cheers and jubilant applause from her supporters.
Addressing the crowd, Akpoti-Uduaghan acknowledged the state government’s ban but dismissed concerns that it applied to her visit.
“Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies and gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked, and convoys leading into the state will not be permitted. I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not a political season, this is not campaign time,” she said.
“We are not having a rally. This is just me, the Senator representing Kogi Central, coming down to her people to celebrate this festive time – Sallah – with you, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am breaking no law. This is Nigeria. We have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”
Her visit came just hours after the Kogi State Government imposed a ban on public gatherings and processions, citing security concerns. The restrictions were further reinforced by a curfew imposed in the area by Okehi LGA Chairman, Amoka Monday, and a police warning advising her to cancel the event.
Despite these measures, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained defiant, insisting that no authority could prevent her from visiting her home.
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody,” she declared to the cheering crowd.
Ahead of her homecoming, the senator alleged that any security breach during the event should be blamed on Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has been in the headlines in recent months, having been suspended from the Senate for allegedly violating its rules. Her suspension coincided with a sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Akpabio. Additionally, a recall process against her is currently underway. However, she maintains that her political travails are the result of a witch hunt.
Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has declared his willingness to step aside in the 2027 elections if a stronger candidate emerges to lead the party.
Adebayo made this statement on Sunday during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.
“Everybody knows that I have an aspiration. I’m working on it, but God is the author of tomorrow; we don’t even know who is going to be around in 2027,” he said.
The lawyer and politician emphasised that his ambition would not stand in the way of a more capable leader who could address Nigeria’s challenges.
“It is my prayer to God that if there is a person who God thinks is better than me to fix the problem of Nigeria, my ambition should not stop that person because we want a country that works. That is the kind of thing we are working on at this time,” he added.
Adebayo assured Nigerians that the SDP would present a candidate worthy of national support, capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election.
He further stressed that the SDP would avoid divisive politics based on religion and ethnicity.
“What used to be an easy discussion – with religion and ethnicity – has become explosive now. So, we will not use the SDP forum to try to bifurcate our people into different zones,” he noted.
According to him, the party aims to produce a candidate whose emergence will be met with widespread approval.
“When we make a choice in the SDP, there will be resounding joy outside the SDP, and Nigerians will say: ‘Okay, finally, this platform has given the country a chance’,” Adebayo said.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Moshood Olayide-Abas on his appointment as the Board Chairman of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oseni, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described Olajide’s appointment as a recognition of his dedication to the party and his contributions to its growth in Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker commended President Tinubu for considering competent and loyal party members for key federal appointments.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our leader, Prince Abas Olajide on this well-deserved appointment. His leadership and commitment to the APC in Oyo State have been exemplary. I have no doubt that he will bring the same level of dedication to this new role,” Oseni stated.
He also congratulated other notable figures from Oyo State who were appointed to federal boards, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering on their mandates.
“This is not just an opportunity but a call to service. I encourage all appointees to work diligently in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Oseni expressed optimism that these appointments would further strengthen governance at the national level and reinforce the APC’s political structure in Oyo State.
