Founder of an Oyo State-based youth group, Ojo Ola Oyo, Kehinde Olaosebikan has described the euphoria surrounding the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, candidate of Labour Party, as “a flash in the pan that will disappear in no time.”
Olaosebikan made the declaration in Ibadan Thursday while speaking with journalists at the sideline of the extraordinary meeting of the group at Mount Pleasant Hotel, Podo.
Olaosebikan said such flashes were not new to the political, social and economic environments of Nigeria, stating that they usually disappeared as they came, “because they were never based on anything concrete but on mere fantasy, illusion and grandstanding”.
“This is not the first time we are witnessing such fleeting euphoria. We had seen pastor politicians who gained temporary traction because of declaration that God asked them to contest for president; in business, we had seen flashes in form of finance houses promising incredible interests; in real estate, we had seen flashes of mortgage firms making impossible offers during the time of ‘everybody come inside’; in medicine, we had witnessed passing euphoria too, where marketers promoted a drug for the cure of all ailments that eventually cured nothing; all hurtled because they were based on fantasies.
“From my experience with the youths today including those you are seeing here now, they can be said to be wiser now and more realistic. They are not ready to take promises. They want to see what you have done concretely in the past and assess you mainly on such accomplishments and feats.
Osun Poll: Govt declares Friday work-free day for PVCs collection
“So, I can tell you they are ready and more inclined to voting for the candidate that is known to have ‘developed boys to men’ as the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio described the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the candidate that has developed and mentored both young and old Nigerians to become governors, ministers, vice presidents and president.
“A leader and candidate that has brought prosperity to his state by raising IGR from less than a billion Naira to 15b within 8 years; a candidate that has brought marked growth and stability to the political and social being of his state, making Lagos the model for development in all aspects in Nigeria today. This is someone the youth can look up to, in whom they see hope and greater Nigeria ahead.
“For me, Nigerians, both youths and the old, we should be practical in the choice of our next president and consider capacity, competence, experience and antecedents and not any primordial sentiments or promises based on misapprehension.
He urged the youths to use the cyber space more positively for their businesses and towards the growth and unity of Nigeria as well as for the promotion of the person with the best track records of making life better for the masses of this country.
Olaosebikan said that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has demonstrated to be the best so far amongst all the former governors and leaders in Nigeria, particularly those contesting the presidential race with him in all aspects of life. “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has established himself as the most functional politician, leader, administrator, nation builder in the country today.”
