Chief Bisi Akande, former interim chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that although he occasionally visits Abuja, he may not always meet President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking in an interview with journalist Edmund Obilo, monitored on the interviewer’s YouTube channel, Akande recounted his relationship with Tinubu, expressing his satisfaction at the Yoruba leader’s ascension to the presidency.
“My goal originally was for a Yoruba man to become president, and my choice was Tinubu. After he won, I was happy and returned to my village in Ila, Osun State,” Akande said.
He revealed that Tinubu had reached out to him from France, expressing concern over his absence in Abuja.
“When he came back, I met him, and he said, ‘Baba, you asked me to run, I did, and became president, but now you (Akande) are running away.’
“It’s true! I went back to my village because I don’t want to be a minister or take any other thing” he explained.
On whether he advises the president, Akande dismissed the notion, saying, “How and where would I do that? Would I take the place of his wife in his bedroom? He is already in office; I won’t go there to interfere.”
He, however, acknowledged that the presidency is a very busy office and said he understands the demands of the role.
He clarified that he is merely observing how the administration is being run and believes Tinubu is steering the country in the right direction.
Addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, Akande noted that the country had been struggling under the weight of debt inherited from previous administrations but assured that stability was gradually returning.
“Nigeria was almost gone with the rate at which the past government was borrowing. But peace is coming, and the economy is becoming more stable,” he said.
When questioned about the prevalent hunger in the country, Akande dismissed concerns, arguing that hard work could alleviate hardship.
“Come to my compound, and I will give you plenty of tomatoes. If you’re lazy in Nigeria, you’ll be hungry. Just plant a seed of corn, and in three months, you’ll harvest a thousand,” he remarked.
His comments have sparked mixed reactions, with some agreeing with his stance on self-sufficiency while others criticise his dismissal of the economic hardships faced by many Nigerians.(Vanguard)
