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By Casmir Igbokwe
Tinubu is the National Leader of the party. He is part of the architect of the misfortunes Nigerians have been going through. Age and good health are not on his side. In a sane country, he can never emerge as a presidential candidate. But here we are, faced with the prospect of having another disaster on our hands. And some people want Nigerians to continue to suffer in silence!
The old man would have earned his respect if he had remained as a kingmaker; if he had retired to enjoy his old age peacefully. Contesting for president this period, considering the baggage surrounding him, will definitely subject him to scrutiny and ridicule.
The truth is that whoever wants to rule Nigeria as it is now must be sound physically, mentally and morally. The late President Umaru Yar’Adua was sick. We were cajoled into voting for him. He didn’t last in office as he died three years after assuming power. President Buhari assumed the mantle of leadership amid similar fears about his age and health. We have all seen his output. No need mentioning his trips to hospitals abroad.
Among the major candidates jostling to take over from the inept outgoing President, Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party remains the best. All sentiments aside, Obi is relatively young, physically and mentally fit and has what it takes to fix the broken parts of this country. If we miss the opportunity to have him as our President in 2023, our ‘emi lokan’ song will definitely change to a dirge. Is that what we wish for ourselves and our children? God forbid!
First published in the Daily Sun of Monday, August 15, 2022.
- Igbokwe is a public affairs commentator