President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, addressed the nation during the celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary celebration, declaring that his reforms are yielding results.

He also announced the intention of the Federal government to include the Nigerian youths in his administration, by introducing a 30-day national youth conference.

Below is the full text of the broadcast

TEXT OF NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON THE 64TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA OCTOBER 1, 2024

Fellow Nigerians, as I address you today, I am deeply aware of the struggles many of you face in these challenging times. Our administration knows that many of you struggle with rising living costs and the search for meaningful employment. I want to assure you that your voices are heard.

As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Exactly 64 years ago, our founding fathers chose democracy as a form of government and launched the dream of a great country that would lead the rest of Africa out of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment, a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa and the world.

Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realising the lofty dreams of our founding fathers.

The world is witnessing and benefiting from the can-do spirit of the Nigerian people, our massive intellectual capacity, and our enterprise and industry in all vocations, from arts to science, technology to infrastructure. The dreams that our founding fathers envisaged are still a work in progress. Every day, we put our hands on the plough, determined to do a better job of it.

While it is tempting to focus on what has been left undone and where we have stumbled as a nation, we must never lose sight of how far we have come in forging and holding our country together.

Since independence, our nation has survived many crises and upheavals that led to the dissolution and disintegration of many other nations worldwide. Six years after independence, our country descended into a political crisis that led to a bitter and avoidable civil war. Since returning from the brink of that darkest moment, we have learned to embrace our diversity and manage our differences better as we continue to work towards engendering a more perfect union.

Despite the many challenges that buffeted our country, we remain a strong, united, and viable sovereign nation.

Dear compatriots, our independence anniversary gives us another chance to reflect on how far we have gone in our journey to nation-building and to renew our commitment to building a better nation that will serve present and future generations of Nigerians.

While we celebrate the progress we have made as a people in the last sixty-four years, we must also recognise some of our missed opportunities and mistakes of the past. If we are to become one of the greatest nations on earth, as God has destined us to be, our mistakes must not be allowed to follow us into the future.

My administration took over the leadership of our country 16 months ago at a critical juncture. The economy faced many headwinds, and our physical security was highly impaired. We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business-as-usual and collapse. We decided to reform our political economy and defence architecture.

On the security front, I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry. Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism. Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible. As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this.

Our government has been responding to the recent natural disasters, particularly the flooding in parts of the country. After Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Maiduguri, I also visited to assure our people that this federal government will always stand with our people in their times of trouble. At the last meeting of the Federal Executive Council, we approved a Disaster Relief Fund to mobilise private and public sector funds to help us respond faster to emergencies.

Our government has also ordered integrity tests of all our dams in the country to avert future disasters.

The economy is undergoing the necessary reforms and retooling to serve us better and more sustainably. If we do not correct the fiscal misalignments that led to the current economic downturn, our country will face an uncertain future and the peril of unimaginable consequences.

Thanks to the reforms, our country attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the last year.

Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.

The move will create vibrancy and increase oil and gas production, positively impacting our economy.

The more disciplined approach adopted by the Central Bank to monetary policy management has ensured stability and predictability in our foreign exchange market. We inherited a reserve of over $33 billion 16 months ago. Since then, we have paid back the inherited forex backlog of $7 billion. We have cleared the ways and means debt of over N30 trillion. We have reduced the debt service ratio from 97 per cent to 68 per cent. Despite all these, we have managed to keep our foreign reserve at $37 billion. We continue to meet all our obligations and pay our bills.

We are moving ahead with our fiscal policy reforms. To stimulate our productive capacity and create more jobs and prosperity, the Federal Executive Council approved the Economic Stabilisation Bills, which will now be transmitted to the National Assembly. These transformative bills will make our business environment more friendly, stimulate investment and reduce the tax burden on businesses and workers once they are passed into law.

As part of our efforts to re-engineer our political economy, we are resolute in our determination to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the financial autonomy of local governments.

The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide.

My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home.

I commend the Governors particularly, in Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the Southwest Governors that have embraced our agricultural production programme. I urge other states to join the Federal Government in investing in mechanised farming. We are playing our part by supplying fertilizer and making tractors and other farm equipment available. Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months.

Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.

Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace.

As we work to overcome the challenges of the day, we remain mindful of the next generation as we seek to galvanize their creative energy towards a better future. We lead today with the future we wish to bequeath to our children in focus, recognizing that we cannot design a future that belongs to them without making them its architects.

Considering this, I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population. It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.

The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates will be designed in close consultation with our young people through their representatives. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations. The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria.

Our government is implementing several other youth-centric programmes to give our young people an advantage in the rapidly changing world. We are implementing, amongst others, the 3 million Technical Talents programme (3MTT) of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone.

We have also enthusiastically implemented the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides cheap loans to our students to pursue their tertiary educational dreams. In addition, later this month, we shall launch The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP). It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that is aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country.

As is the tradition, the government will soon announce all the beneficiaries of our national honours for 2024.

The Senate President and the Chief Justice of the Federation have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while the deputy speaker of the House has been awarded Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).

Fellow Nigerians, better days are ahead of us. The challenges of the moment must always make us believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances.

I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support. Together, we will cultivate a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens, a nation that resonates with pride, dignity, and shared success.

As agents of change, we can shape our destiny and build a brighter future by ourselves, for ourselves and for future generations.

Please join our administration in this journey towards a brighter future. Let us work together to build a greater Nigeria where every citizen can access opportunities and every child can grow up with hope and promise.

May God continue to bless our nation and keep members of our Armed Forces safe.

Happy Independence anniversary, my fellow Nigerians!

-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

VeryDarkMan, also known as Martins Otse, has declined to speak further on the allegations by Idris Okuneye, fondly called Bobrisky, that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Correctional Services demanded the sum of N15m from him to serve his prison term at a VIP Section of the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre, Lagos.

Invited to the podium to brief the Investigating Committee, VDM said, “I don’t know why I will be here and the person who made these allegations is not here.

“Bobrisky said in the voice note that there is a godfather. Maybe the godfather told him not to come. He has disrespected this committee by not coming here.

“You are already threatening me with arrest. If you detain me, I will stay in the cell.

“If Bobrisky is not here, I will not say anything. If I say anything, let me die,” he said.

At the time of filing this report, members of the committee were prevailing on him to speak on the allegations, assuring that Bobrisky would similarly face the panel.

By Eric Elezuo

In his usual manner, and for love of country, Chairman of Ovation Media Group and celebrated journalist, Aare Dele Momodu, was online during the week to discuss in totality the state of the nation, status of the political parties, especially his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the hardship and the just concluded Edo State governorship election among a host of other issues.

The interview, which lasted over 90 minutes, was a carnival of revelations, discoveries and down to earth truths, which only be spoken by the likes of Momodu.

However, for as many that missed the broadcast, here is a detailed version of the interview:

Good afternoon, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

So, you can send in your questions. I’m ready to take your questions, please.

Someone said I should speak about the Edo election. Yes, I’m ready to talk about it. I don’t shy away from speaking. The Edo election was a charade, was a sham…was shambolic, was a garrison operation, supervised by garrison commanders, military fashion. That is what happened! APC was desperate, because they needed to prove to themselves that they are loved by fellow Nigerians who are suffering under their government.

So they went all out. They went all out. They mobilized all their generals to go all out. They mobilized anytime there is; an election, and the number of policemen almost outnumbered the number of electoral officers, you know that something is wrong. Despite the presence of 30 something thousand or whatever you know, security officers be sent to the Edo state.

Some people still find time in the middle of the night to stop the process. What was recorded on INEC’s server sometimes became distorted at final collation. We’re all used to it. It’s only those who are blinded by political affiliation, ethnic coloration, may be a preliminary gains, may be, all combined, religious, prejudice, whatever. They are the ones who continue to support APC blindly. The truth is whether you support APC or not, I don’t mind. I’m a democrat. Everybody has the right to support their party.

But please remember that hunger is a leveler. Hunger has no religious bias, no ethnic bias, no political bias. Hunger is hunger. So as long as you are happy, you are hungry, you are happy, you are not hungry, you are happy, So be it. So what happened in Edo state are predicted and made it or go to happen.

I was born in Aladura church. You know, in Aladura churches, we see vision. We don’t just dream dreams. We see vision. We can tell you what will happen As far back as 2022, on the program on Channels TV with Segun Okibaloye, I told him clearly that if our ‘Oga’ gets power, we have a potential indicator.

Every paper I was abused black and blue. I don’t mind being abused. I speak to my friends. They’re my friends. I don’t shy away.

It’s only a useless democrat that would criticize its political opponents, but we keep quiet when it comes to their own people. The ones I have access to who are in government, I always make sure I advise them. And when they don’t listen, I go public. The ones I have access to, they know me. They are not the type that will hide behind one finger.

I supported Buhari wholeheartedly thinking PDP was not doing well, not knowing that I’m that what we saw was just a child’s play, we didn’t know the grandfather of them was coming. And within 2 months, when I realized that the man was leading us in the wrong direction, I apologized publicly to Nigerians. I didn’t hide it. I wasn’t a member of APC when I supported Buhari. When the Ya’adua cabals refuse to handover power to Goodluck Jonathan, I went on the street. I was nearly killed by the police. They grabbed my neck. I had some scars on my neck. They grabbed my neck in Abuja. I wasn’t a member of PDP. I didn’t know president Jonathan from anywhere.

But I believed we must always follow the rule of law. So I went on the street and campaigned vigorously that this is not fair. If our president, Umaru Musa Ya’adua, is truly invalidated, then why don’t we give power to the next man? You cannot keep an invalid in power and people of all their supporters have used us, but at the end of the day, good luck. Jonathan got the power. I didn’t because of that goal to go and join him in PDP. People don’t know my history.

When Tinubu and others said Saraki will not be Senate President, I went public to express that it is unfair. There was a partnership that formed APC; CPC Buhari’s party, APC; Tinubu’s party, and the breakaway faction of PDP. CPC had Buhari as number 1, CAN had Osinbajo as number,
number 3 should go to the PPP Breakaway faction now by Saraki, who was interested in being senate president.

Hey, they raised hell. They said no. I said no. That is my stand. You must be constantly principled, not just when it is convenient. That is what leadership is about. This Edo election, they too desperate. Infact, Uncle Adam Oshiomole went overboard. There was nothing that did not come out of his mouth, all in the name of politics. Someone is barren, someone cannot, you know, impregnate his wife. What is this? This is a man that we all supported when it was being oppressed.

I supported Adam Oshiomole. As a matter of fact, I and Oshiomole were having lunch in Tinubu’s house in Bordillion during which a had a case in court. One day I was speaking to him on phone. He called me. He said, Aburo, pray for me. I don’t know how this call case will go. And I said, don’t worry. I remember where I was exactly. I was by the Sunborn Yacht at the Marina in Lagos. I said, don’t worry, truth shall eventually prevail. We supported him. I never went to him once. I’m from Edo state. My father came from Edo state.

I never went to Adam Oshiomole, he’s alive to go ask for a contract. In fact, he promised me that once he becomes governor, he will bring me back home. He knows why I’ve been away. My father, I was born in Ile-Ife, but my father died when I was 13. So, and he never took me home. He said, I will bring you back home and we shall celebrate you. And that never happened for the 8 years, I didn’t mind. And when Governor Obaseki took over as Governor, we were at Tinubu Colloquium at Eko Hotel, and Adams tapped Obaseki and told him to bring me back home. Obaseki promised him that day to do so. About 3 years ago, I was warmly received by Godwin Obaseki. I went round, I met the Oba of Benin. I met everybody. I was warmly received in my home state.

Now, they say, it is because Obaseki offended some people. Did Obaseki offend more how APC has Nigerians more than the people? If Nigerians today have to choose between Obaseki and the Tinubu government, they will choose Obaseki 50 times. Despite his own imperfection, nobody is perfect. That is a fact. It is a fact. Even Nigerians today have to prove it. You know, by the way, what matter how bad Obaseki is, Obaseki cannot compete with the APC government in time for badness. Moreover, Obaseki was not on the ballot. It was Ighadalo who has never been in Obaseki’s government, it is a different thing. He is an independent business man who has made his mark globally. We should get serious. People cry every day on this social media. They are crying. I’m hungry. Help me. How many people can I help? Have I helped myself? Have I helped all my family members? Edo state is one of the most enlightened states in Nigeria. It’s a state where we know what is good from what is bad. And Edo state will not punish Aswe Ighodalo because of Obaseki. Anybody who knows Aswe will know that he’s a man of independent means. His life does not depend on Obaseki. Obaseki yet might have been recruited him, but he found one of the best materials that our state has ever produced. And Edo people are so enlightened that if they don’t want Ighodalo, they had their choice in Olumide Akpata. That’s the beauty of Edo state. We have produced the best of the best, the best of the best. Chief Anthony Enauro, one of the foremost nationalist in Nigeria. He was a radical till he dies. Go and read about Pa Igbodu, Dele Giwa, Samuel Igbemudia, Gabriel Igbinedion who at a point had Okada Airlines, John Mohmoh, Tony Mohmoh, and I can go on and on and on.

So, Edo is not a place where people will vote with cut their nose to spite their face. Edo people are too intelligent to follow APC blindly. That is why they sent all their garrison commanders to overwhelm the people of Edo state. That’s what he did. It was a blistering attack on our people. And what is worse is when a thief has convinced himself that he is the owner of a property. That’s the worst thing that is good on in Nigeria right now. A thief convincing himself. In fact, when a thief after succeeding in stealing, goes ahead to do praise and worship. That’s the worst part. It was “Operation Oga Wants it”. I heard about it before the thing was concluded. I will come back and speak about Obaseki. I will speak about PDP. I will force some claims where necessary. I won’t hide everything from it. Even PDP is not perfect. That’s my party. It’s not a perfect party right now. We have serious issues which must be addressed publicly because it’s of public interest.

So now these people convince themselves that they truly won in Edo state. What’s a travesty of justice. What an insult upon injury. What Babadash! God is very patient that is why people think they can occupy everywhere. What they have done is a rehearsal. They have just they are preparing for future elections. So that when tomorrow comes, the same garrison commanders will go from state to state and take over those states. It is civilian coup. That’s why they are appointing bad character to govern Nigeria. What I tell people is the story of Chief MKO Abiola. If he had died in his house, he would have just been remembered as a billionaire, but God loved him, he won the election and God used that to forgive him of all sins. MKO did not die a useless billionaire, he died as a martyr. That’s the highest level any man can reach in this life. I’m so happy for him. Extremely happy. I’m extremely proud of him.

People say I speak truth, I was born in Aladura church. I’m a child of destiny. I believe in destiny. Will not place my life or my faith in the hands of man. I’ll place it in the hands of God. I don’t have money. I struggle, but I have struggled to send my children to school; the best I can afford, and I’m struggling to run a business that today is more difficult to run because of the bad governance everywhere. Like I’ve said, this is not anything personal about Tinubu. But what he owes me and you are good governance. I will applaud him. I will give him a standing ovation. Nigerians are too brilliant to become what we have become. Rented, the wretched of the earth. If you ever read Franz Fanon, the book by Franz Fanon, titled The Wretched of the Earth, they turned us into beggars. We are no longer respected like we used to globally that’s all I’m begging Tinubu, I want you to disappoint those who said your government will be bad that’s the kind of positive disappointment we need from you. Disappointment can be in 2 ways. 1 is negative, the other is positive. When you don’t expect a man to perform and he performs, that’s the best form of disappointment. Edo state is a template, but the reason I’m bothered is not because, Asue Ighodalo lost ooo. It’s not because a PC 1, it is because this government is beginning to force Nigerians to plan ahead for them. No all Nigerians believe in peace like us, we have seen it all before. And we don’t want chaos in our country.

There is nothing these politicians want that Nigeria has not provided for them. Everything they want, Nigeria has given to them. Why can’t they just give something back to their country? I don’t if I wanted to have this money for tomato and pepper and all that when they give you rice. Instead of creating the entrepreneurs, India is creating millions of entrepreneurs, China is creating millions of entrepreneurs, Nigeria is creating rice merchants. Even if you can’t create one million entrepreneurs, create ten thousand. There is no part of Nigeria you will go to, you will not find Nigerians who are doing great things. Turn the South-East of Nigeria into a Slicone Valley, you will have engineers and even scientist greater than Isaac Newton. There is no where you will go that you won’t find Nigeria during great things. Why can’t they do it back home? So, Edo state on my mind. It is sad that these guys took Edu people for a ride. They they totally obliterated any form of resistance. You know when armed robbers invade your house, even if you have a gun in the house, you can’t shoot because you don’t know who will shoot faster. That’s what happened. Edo people were taken by surprise. By surprise, they just came in. In their helicopter, in their private jets, in everything, they invaded our space. And were all tongue tied. Until they left and went back and did their praise and worship, Edo people did not wake up from their nightmare. I’m sure right now, a lot of people have called me from Edo to say we didn’t vote for a APC. These people came and voted for themselves. So, and there was nothing we could do. We are still complaining about hunger. We don’t want to get killed, though. Poor people, hapless, helpless, hopeless at this stage. But help will come from God. Yeah, I don’t mind anybody wins. Please don’t get me wrong. It’s not this way, but it has to wait any longer. It’s about the process and the procedure. It’s not about Aswe doing it. Anybody who knows me knows that whoever wins, you are a winner, but win clearly. Don’t jack power and run with it, I jack power legitimately, I will applaud you. None of them is my enemy. Nobody is my enemy.

But in recent time, Uncle Adam has become too reactionary. A lot of our old comrade that we used to respect, they suddenly become reactionary. We didn’t know that they were comrades so that they can grab power. And after grabbing power, they will abandon the people that used to call them comrades. I didn’t know. The deceived us.

Anytime of Uncle Adams speaks now, I’m shaking like, is this the same man who used to pray, who used to lead people on the streets to demonstrate A man of fire. Suddenly, you change. It is not fair on those of us who believed in you and I’m saying it publicly. Uncle Adams, it is not fair on those of us who followed you and believed that you will be different in politics.

I remember when you were chasing this power. The time has come for you sir. If you don’t retire from politics please learn to be sober in politics. Our days are numbered. I number my own days. If I’m lucky to get to age 80 in my life, right now I’m less, I have less than 16 years to get to 80. I number it everyday. As recommended by the holy book, the Bible. Please number your days. This is not how you want to be remembered. That you are joining people who will grab power, by all means, because you want to seek revenge or vengeance against Obaseki. And I’m happy about what happened in our Oba of Benin’s palace. The fantastic king. You gave the impression that he advised you against your support for Obaseki. And the Oba said, no, I never said such a thing publicly. Egbon, as I call you, it is time for sober reflections. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. I’m not God. But you need I don’t know if you are a Catholic, if you are a Catholic, go and see the reverend father and ask God for forgiveness. You don’t need all this rascality. It’s not necessary. You don’t need it.

I have no problem with you supporting Tinubu. Tinubu supported you too, but don’t carry it too far. We all have people who have supported us in life, but our nation is bigger than any friendship. I don’t think I’ve ever spoken like this, but it’s gotten to a stage where we must all speak up. Especially those who have the voices and have the platform to speak up. We must all speak up and beg our friends in power to cool temper. Power is too transcient. It is very sad.

Now I wanted to talk about PDP and Obaseki and all that. I disagree vehemently with Governor Obaseki when he was fighting his deputy, for example. And I made every effort to speak to some of our mutual friends that they should intervene. In life, no matter what happens, I preach against vindictiveness. The governor felt to be betrayed by the deputy. The deputy felt the governor was undermining him. It doesn’t matter. Both of you, whether you like it or not, even if you are together, the end has come now. In another couple of days or weeks, you are both gone. So what are you fighting for?

I thought the governor could have managed that better. You see, because there is a saying in Yoruba, If there are no cracks in the walls, no lizard or anything will be able to penetrate. What the APC people are using now is the division everywhere, and they are deliberately escalating those divisions in Labour Party, in PDP, and other party. That is what they are doing. It is deliberate. They want to have a one-party state. If Tinubu continues like this, he cannot win a free and fair election in Nigeria. It is not possible. They know that if they create enough division, they will hide under that excuse to unleash terror on Nigeria. That’s all.

When I told people then that if Tinubu gets the ticket of APC, it will be difficult for anyone to defeat him. I said it. I never denied that I didn’t say I didn’t say it, but I said there are Yeah. I said it. I didn’t say I didn’t say it, but I said there was also one man who could counter him. I’m a very practical person and because I went to a good school, University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. I knew about how to do research, and I knew how to scout for the best materials anywhere, whether in business or in politics. And I said it. I said PDP would have to raise a formidable candidate against Tinubu, and let everybody rally around me, and then they can have a good fight. I will not tell you what happened.

Wike was interested. Atiku was interested. I was interested. But what happened? Peter Obi was interested. One of the brightest new forces in Nigeria. He came out forcefully, but his force alone would have been difficult to wipe out the forces of Asiwaju, a Maccabilian politician. You see, those who believe in Maccabile, they will do anything to grab power. So, a gentle man cannot grab power from them. They are the people, the people like. It doesn’t matter if they are suffering another strong leader, but they are happy. That’s the kind of person that Asiwaju is. So, the only person who had the network but needed support from others was Atiku Abubakar. That is not because I worked under him or anything, nothing. I’m just saying my own. You don’t have to agree with me. He’s the only man fully picked up, but he’s too much of a gentleman.

Gentlemen, you will find it difficult to take on Tinubu. I am saying publicly today. If you like, be the most brilliant Nigerian. Get the ticket of your party. Last week, I read somewhere that my dear brother friend, Rabiu Musa Kwankaso says he will contest again and he will defeat anybody. I love you sir. Don’t waste your time and resources. If you guys cannot come together and agree on one leader, even if only for one time, you will sign an agreement between you, all of you coming together, sign an agreement that this is our leader, this is our number 2, and this is our 4th shadow cabinet immediately against this APC. You are going nowhere, all of you. What you need right now is a formidable, and I know that the North has the capacity because they are not afraid by the like most people, the politics is in their DNA. They are very strong when it comes to politics. So it will be difficult for anybody to bully them the way we’re bullied in Edo state. It’s bullying. The only the only way, the only way APC will continue to win is by bullying. If you don’t bully them back…Do you think when they took out, Jonathan that time, that’s why they brought they knew that Buhari could not perform. They knew that Buhari was weak, but they knew that Buhari was the only person who had that force behind him from the north who could take on the PDP bezimos. They knew, right now, take it or leave it. Let every individual stand on his own and see how Nigeria will suffer. And if you are not careful after Tinubu, other will take charge are warming up. And you won’t be able to stop them.

If we all continue to be selfish, and think we can do it individually, nothing will happen. We all know the clear person that can take on Tinubu. Politics have become warfare in Nigeria. If you are unable to assemble enough generals against them, when force meets force. Like Isaac Newton said, actions and reactions are always equal and opposite. If you are not able to do that, we are going nowhere. So let’s all there’s no point doing a wasting your money on election.

I’ve told all my friends. I have friends who are fanatical about Peter Obi, some of them live in America. I’ve told them, I said, I know my brother, Peter is not desperate for power. He is brilliant. He deserves to get it, and Igbo man deserves to be president. But the Yorubas will say, you first of all chase away the hyenas before you come back to the Chicken. The reality today is that if all the forces are non mustard to get rid of APC, APC will soon become a monarchy where you will transfer power from father up to the 4th generation. You mark my word.

If you like, abuse me as usual. Oh, he doesn’t know anything. I know what I’m talking about. When you see Machiavellians, it’s only God that can rescue Nigeria. It’s only God at this day. It’s only God that can do it. Only God. Only God. You go and go and read the story of Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire of old. Go and read the history. Go and read the history of Ofumvaye in Cote’dvoire. These things have happened elsewhere. People thought, oh, it’s a joke. It cannot happen. Before our very eyes, Donald Trump despite his roughness, his ruggedity, and everything. The man became president of America, the most powerful democracy on earth.

He forced his way to power, and he almost forced his way back to power before they took him out. And right now, the man is still struggling to write him off. I won’t write him off. I’m not a fan of Trump. I don’t like rough people. I don’t like people who are in. I don’t like people who are just reckless with everything they say and do. So that is my own opinion. I like gentle people. People think I support Atiku because of money. To note, Atiku don’t have one percent of Tinubu’s money. I know that for a fact. Atiku doesn’t control any state like Lagos in Nigeria. He doesn’t have one. Even Adamawa where he came from, the governor is supporting Wike and the rascality going on in PDP with our acting Chairman. When he was shedding crocodile tears in Edo, where was he when the rascality at Wadata Plaza in Abuja was going on. Wike is supporting Tinubu, you are supporting Wike. Simple logic, who are you now supporting, APC or PDP? That’s our own governor. Some of you have divided your own party. You don’t even know where you belong.

If they ask Wike, he will say no governor born of a woman can take him out of PDP. If they ask where he belong, he will say to work for Tinubu in 2027, and everybody is tongue tied, nobody can talk. With this, people will penetrate you because they know you are weak. They will continue to play on your weakness. If PDP was intact and all the governors of PDP were in town over the weekend for Asue, it would have been a different matter entirely, because then they knew that the mother hen is around. But when the mother hen is not available, the hen will soon become pepper soup. That’s what happened to us. They came fully prepared; led by the almighty Senate President, my good friend, Godswill Akpabio. The man is not afraid to show where he belongs. Right now, the executive and the legislature have merged. My country. Oh my god.

So I thank God for Nigeria. I love my country. I’m not telling anybody not to support their own party. Please feel free to support whatever your conscience tells you, but don’t support an then come and cry on social media. So, feel free to support who you like but I know one day God will help us. But heaven, I heard, help those who helped themselves. We must help ourselves. And, that that’s it.

So, help us spread the message of hope to our people. People have turned our hope into our business, but nothing is impossible. Maybe Tinubu will perform a magic and miracle, who knows? But I can tell you once it starts on a bad note, it usually ends on a bad note. That’s the one the history of Nigeria has taught me. When I said it during Buhari, people say I’m being too pessimistic. I’m not being pessimistic. It’s just reality. I would love to be able to go to Aso Rock too and relax and enjoy, you know, whatever they are enjoying. But trust me, that’s not all there is to life. I owe Tinubu something and what I owe him is genuine advice. He’s surrounded right now by lackeys and praise singers who will tell him all is well, all is not well. If you can hear me, all is not well. Don’t let them deceive you. We hear them. We see them. We all meet now. We’re all human beings. We are fellow Nigerian. We meet, and we know what they say behind. We know what they say. All is not well, Mr President. All is not well. Don’t let them deceive you. All is not well.

I’m sure you get security reports and feedback. Some of them might tell you because they know that’s what you want to hear. They might tell you, but if they tell you the truth, they will tell you that outside the shadow is tough. Mr. President, outside is very tough. I’m begging you in the name of God.

I see the way I’ve been watching you lately, the way you dismiss these things. They’re saying that Edo state is a testament to the fact that you are doing well and your policies are been appreciated by the people. It’s all lies. There is no way you can dress this thing on. So, don’t let people deceive you. Outside is tough, the rich are also crying.

You have to go back to the drawing board first. Your cabinet is very weak. The weakest I have seen. I love star-studded people. When you see a team that will perform, they will tell you they have just bought this player and all. That’s how you see a serious team. Or when you see a team that is buying people whose legs are already dead to come and play World Cup, you know that they are not ready. Your team is very weak. Forget about you owe people. You don’t owe anybody. You you owe yourself and God only to do well. That’s all. Not everybody realizes their dream in life. Not everybody can realize their dream in life. You’ve realize your dream. Whether by move, by crook, by whatever anybody says, it doesn’t matter any longer. You are the president of Nigeria. And what you owe Nigeria is good government, good governance. And that’s what we demand. It is not a fight.

If you are doing well, only a mad man will say you are not doing well. Even you yourself will know when you are doing well. It’s called self assessment, but if by your own assessment, you think Nigeria is where it should be right now. You say people should sacrifice and your people are not ready to sacrifice. How? People are fasting on our behalf but they see you eating all kinds of food. No disciples would have followed Jesus if he didn’t lead by example. That’s what I owe you sir. ‘Ema binu’.

My warmest regard to everyone at home, and abroad.

I love you .

I’m not doing it to impress anybody. I’m doing it for the sake of generations of born.

Many of our children don’t want to come back home. So how can we be happy? And it’s not everybody’s father that will have access to government money. So that’s the thing. So we have to work hard. We are not fighting government. It’s not a fight. I’m sorry. But if you think it’s a fight, sorry. I’m just picking my mind. It’s not a fight. It’s just the truth that must be told. So that when we all go to our God, we will say at least let it be said of us that we played our part. That’s all that’s all I want to benefit from it. I don’t want any I don’t want anybody to even praise me. I’m not doing it for for that. But people should learn to be very, very, conscious. Conscience is very important. Truth is very important. We’re not saying the government should be perfect. There is no perfect government anywhere. What we are saying is that there is a minimum standard you must not fall below.

Thank you all, thank you for thanking me, I’m not, it’s not by my power, I think it’s God just looking through me, God is just giving me the vision to talk to my people, to encourage them, not to waste this opportunity that God has given them. Even if you stole power, you already have power, do something with it. That’s all. That’s all. Nobody is fighting you again. We’ve left you God’s word.

We have seen the process. The process that Goodluck Jonathan left. We have wasted it. Why are we talking about Goodluck Jonathan today? Because he left a process no matter how bad the shortcomings of his own government, he left something that we will always remember.

He left a free and free election, and he left power when he was defeated. If he wanted to hang on to power, nothing would have happened. People would have died. They would have wasted lives, but he will be remembered for it too forever. You know?

So it’s not funny. It’s not funny. And what is going on in PDP, some people, when God has blessed them, they start playing God. When God has blessed you, don’t play God. If you are a Muslim, a Christian, animist, whatever you practice, let’s all come together and rescue our country.

What are the names of the ministers in the cabinet?

I swear to God Almighty and I’m not being cheeky. If you ask me to name 10 ministers out of, I don’t know how many they are now, maybe 30 something or 40 something, I won’t know them. I will struggle to remember just them. I will struggle, trust me. Whereas when we were younger, we used to know names of ministers, governors, commissioner in different states of Nigeria. Because they were all distinguished men and ladies.

So these days we don’t have such people again. Imagine Babangida’s government at that time is coming next. Oh my god. Those guys were hot. He picked them the best of the best. Imagine in foreign affairs, at 80, he is still of sound mind, very sound character.

Forget about the the mistake, the last error, which was the amendment of June 12. He had one of the best cabinets in Nigeria. Unforgettable.

Look at Yar’adua, he had Dora Akiyuli; God bless her soul. You remember good deeds no matter how long. Wole Soyinka as chairman of FRSC, Dr Tai Solarin; a socialist in People’s Bank, Helen Fawehinmi, that’s a great name from a great family. I’m from a great family. It taught me so much in life. Chief Gani Fawehinmi who drove to my wedding in Ijebu Igbo. I was one of those who worked actively with the late Yinka Odumakin to make him the Senior Advocate of the Masses at the University of Ife, when Nigeria would not recognize his brilliance as Senior Advocate of Nigeria, which he eventually got. I was within the day he was released from prison when he was handed over to the then Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade.

Things have happened in Nigeria. We know our history. That’s why we can say the things we are saying. We know Nigeria very well. And there was nobody. When it comes to Nigeria, there was nobody I did not fight. It didn’t matter. They eventually accepted me that I knew what I was saying.