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Elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr Kunle Olajide, has charged the federal and state governments to be deliberate in efforts to tackle poverty plaguing the majority of Nigerians.
Olajide, who said moneybag politics, vote selling and vote-buying in the country’s political arena were functions of the deep-seated poverty in the country, said urgent steps should be taken to let citizens live above the poverty line and dissuade them from selling their votes.
The octogenarian spoke in Ado Ekiti on Thursday during a homecoming reception in his honour organised by the Ekiti Council of Elders, where he was inaugurated into the Blue Cap category, a special privilege for elders aged 80 years and above.
President of the Council, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, had said that the honour for the former YCE scribe was “to appreciate Dr Olajide, an exemplary and valuable son of Ekiti whose tenure as Secretary of YCE brought candour and life to the Council, which recorded immense success during the period”
Oluwasanmi, who said it was good to now have Olajide around in Ekiti, described his homecoming as “a good development to contribute his quota to the development of Ekiti”.
The former YCE scribe, who hailed the Ekiti Council of Elders for the honour, said it was indicative of the essence of YCE objectives, saying, “What is happening here today gives credence to the achievements of the YCE”.
The elder statesman said something must be done about the monetisation of the country’s political process, adding that the issue of poverty must be addressed by the state governors and local government chairmen, being the arms closer to the people.
He said, “Poverty is the issue. People are hungry, and they want food, then you come and campaign and somebody comes with money. The hungry man will jump at the money and vote. It is a poverty matter; let us pray for the eradication of poverty in Nigeria.
“The governments, especially the state and the local governments, have the responsibility; they are nearest to the people, they know what they can do with the allocations that come to them in the interest of the people.
“They should go beyond amassing wealth to contest for the next election. They must make people the centerpiece of whatever they are thinking about. People should appreciate the value of their votes, and they should know what they are throwing away with the money they collect to vote.”
The former YCE scribe urged support and prayers for President Bola Tinubu, who he said was sailing Nigeria towards the right direction.
He said, “I think we must thank God for the Tinubu administration. Nigeria is a very complex country to govern. The country stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert, with different tribes, etc, but President Tinubu has been very clear-headed.
“In any case, he has made a success of administering Lagos, because Lagos in my opinion is a mini Nigeria. So, I am not surprised at what President Tinubu is doing. We should commend him, continue to give him support and pray for him. I am quite pleased with the way he is governing Nigeria”.
Olajide, who said it was in order for Nigerians who feel they could sail the ship of the country to aspire to be president, said, “Tinubu has things that he has been able to do to show to get votes for a second second term, but he must be prepared for a tough fight”.
He hailed the governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, who he said played vital roles in the creation of the state as a member of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State.
The elder statesman said, “Many pats on his (Oyebanji’s) back. He knows Ekiti like the palm of his hand. He is doing a yeoman’s job. I wish him the very best, and I appeal to all Ekiti sons and daughters, irrespective of political affiliations to please support our governor in what he is doing.”
