A Nigerian comedian and entertainment guru, Gbenga Adeyinka, has said President Bola Tinubu has nothing to gain or lose if the country fails to work under his watch.
Adeyinka, who appeared on a podcast published by TheCable over the weekend, said Nigerians would be in trouble if Tinubu can not fix the country’s problems despite his capacity.
The comedian disclosed that he is a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress, adding that Tinubu is the right person to steer the country’s affairs because of his track record as governor of Lagos State.
He said, “If I’m passionate about you, I’m passionate about you. That’s my problem. And I believe that. Please take this to the bank; if Asiwaju (Tinubu) cannot set Nigeria right, then we’re in trouble. With his capacity, with what he knows, with the fact that he has nothing to gain or lose anymore, if he cannot set Nigeria right, then we’re in trouble. I’m scared for Nigeria.”
The veteran comedian said he supported Tinubu’s election because he has the wealth of experience to solve Nigeria’s economic woes and drive the country to prosperity.
He said, “Even before the election, people were taking sides. Am I happy with the policies of the government? I suffer, too. People should not forget that I’m a Nigerian, too. Now, am I happy with Asiwaju’s policies? Some yes, some no.
“The man explained something. He said we have two options. We go the way we are going. I’ll be attacked for this one, but I’ll speak my mind. We go the way we have always gone. We keep borrowing money. We keep using our crude, for instance, I’m told has been used to borrow money. We can change that and have a better tomorrow. Or, we continue this way, and everybody will be happy, and your children will suffer.
“Do I believe he should have ended the subsidy, although he was not even the one that ended the fuel subsidy thing? I support fuel subsidy removal totally because of the amount of corruption that was involved.”
Adeyinka, who hailed some policies implemented by the present administration, including subsidy removal and autonomy for Local Governments, said the government has been wasteful.
“Do I think they’ve done a good job by tightening their belts when we need to tighten our belts? No. I believe that those cars that were bought for members of the national assembly were an unnecessary oppression of the people, of the people who are suffering. What else have they done? I see a lot of restructuring taking place.
“Local governments are to get their money directly. If you have a vibrant local government, you can build the country from the bottom up, which is the way they do it abroad. Will governors allow the money to get to the local government? Some governors have said no, nine or so.
“If you get the local government right, it’s like getting a family right. Society will be better. Should people have gone to the streets to protest? There’s a fundamental right of protest. Should they have said the summit should be cancelled? No.
“Those are constitutional issues that should be dealt with constitutionally. I think what should have been done is to ask for a constitutional review. You can’t use illegality to remove someone legally elected.”(Punch)
