2023: Igbos Also Have A Right To Presidency, Says Ex- Minister Prof. Adeniran
By Temidayo Akinsuyi
Professor Tunde Adeniran, a former Minister of Education and chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, speaks on issues in the polity such as insecurity challenges, 2023 elections and his agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term. Excerpts:
There have been calls by some Nigerians that President Buhari who is currently out of the country should return home in order to address the myriads of security challenges facing the country. Do you think he should yield to these calls?
That is his choice since he is the one given the mandate to govern. So, he is in the best position to know what should be done to deal with the security challenges. On whether he should return to the country now or later, all those are just speculations. I think all hands should be on deck to ensure that we move the nation forward because these security challenges require not just the handiwork of Mr. President but all of us. We are facing serious challenges in this country and everybody has to be security conscious and play their roles from the various villages and communities to the national level. Everybody, from traditional rulers to clerics, councilors and opinion leaders should be involved in finding a solution to these challenges because we are in a serious security emergency.
Why do you think insecurity is always on the rise after the general elections?
My belief is that some of those who are used as thugs and to facilitate certain violent activities during the elections are left on rampage and they need to keep themselves busy. That is part of it. But it is unfair to attribute the rise in insecurity to them alone. There are those who are there before the elections and there are those who are there after the elections but the escalation that you referred to is because most of those who are engaged during the elections are abandoned after election is over and they need to survive. They are not being maintained by the politicians who hire them for violent activities.
Do you think the Federal Government should seek foreign assistance in tackling the security challenges?
What is going on now involves foreign elements and it will not be out of place if the federal government seeks foreign assistance.
What do you think the President should look out for in choosing his cabinet?
I have no comment on that. It’s left to the President. He is the one given the mandate and he is the one who knows those who can help him achieve his goals and objectives for the country.
There has been debate on whether the 2023 Presidency should come to the South-West or South- East. What is your opinion on this?
I think every Nigerian should be encouraged to aspire to the highest office in the land. I also believe that the South- East also have very competent people. There is no part of this country that does not have competent people but the fact is that the South- Eastern people are also Nigerians and so they also have a right to the presidency. But it is not just because somebody is a South- Easterner but because of competence. We need somebody that Nigerians can trust because of his intregrity and capacity.
