Former All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande yesterday reflected on concerted efforts by forces to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, last year.
He said there were serious spiritual threats and political maneuvering to stall the handover to him by former President Muhammadu Buhari after the Supreme Court affirmed his victory.
Akande, who chaired a lecture organised by a group, ‘Arewa Think-Tank,’ to mark President Tinubu’s first year in office in Kaduna, recalled that the activities of the opposition generated tension and threats, with a view to aborting the inauguration.
The theme of the lecture delivered by Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia was: “Our Diversity, Our Strength.” It was hosted by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.
Alia and Sani said Nigeria was on track, adding that the policies of the Tinubu are yielding positive results.
Elder statesman Akande, a Tinubu ally, said the posturing by the opposition was not surprising.
Going down memory lane, he recalled that even before independence in 1960, some opposition elements never wanted a united country.
He reminiscensed: “Since 1953, when a motion for Independence was first moved in the parliament by Chief Tony Enahoro, our polity has been moving from tensions of one threat to another that Nigeria must not be allowed to continue as one and united country.
“Towards the last elections, the prophecy was thick that Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not become the APC candidate, he did become. Religious clerics of one belief and the other became sleepless for him not to win the presidential election. He won.
“Thereafter, spiritual threats and political maneuvering began that he would not be inaugurated as a Nigerian president. He assumed the presidency.
“The battle then shifted to the judicial sword-crossing that he should be removed from the presidency. His presidency became upheld Other prediction was that he would have no health to manage the office. He remained divinely healthy.
“Then, the agitation that Nigeria would not survive his political agenda. Nigeria has been waxing stronger and stronger as one and united country. One Nigeria is a major part of what we are now celebrating.
Akande, former governor of Osun State, urged Nigerians to dedicate themselves to the cause of one Nigeria.
Rev. Father Alia, stressed the need for unity, saying: “Our religions should not be a dividing factor to us.”
The governor said Nigeria must not fail, warning that its failure would negatively affect the African continent.
He stressed: “We should not take our diversity for granted. Our diversity should be our power, strength and unifying force that hold us together as one people. Diversity should not be a source of conflicts and tension; it should rather build more robust and prosperous Nigeria. If Nigeria fails as a nation, the entire countries in Africa will fail.
“Tinubu has brought hope of unity, irrespective of our differences in religion, ethnicity and social status, and he stepped up progress or otherwise on infrastructure, education, health, agriculture and every possible parameter of social engineering. “
Sani, who also called for unity of Nigerians, said with unity of purpose, Nigeria would achieve the desired peace and progress.
He recalled that the President was one of those that fought for the enthronement of democracy as one of the financiers of pro-democracy movement during the military period.
Sani urged Nigerians to support the President because he holds Nigerians and Nigeria high.
The convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Yakubu said: “The objective of the event is to canvass support for the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu, which is working for the country.”
He added: “The one-year stewardship of President Tinubu has recorded remarkable and impressive achievements in many aspects of governance, considering the level of mismanagement and unfavorable security situation he inherited from the previous administration”
