Yoruba Young Progressives (YYP) has faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, for next month’s presidential election, insisting that the All Progressives Congresss (APC) standard-bearer, Bola Tinubu, remains the best candidate for Nigeria’s topmost job.
The group, in a statement by its president, Morris Awosile, yesterday, described the approval as an action driven by personal motive, stating: “The ex-President is an attention seeker, envious of the APC Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
YYP claimed that Obasanjo has been an antagonist of Tinubu’s developmental strides since the return of democracy in 1999.
It said: “Opposing Tinubu now will not be a surprise for those of us who have been following the trend in Nigerian politics.”
“Just like how everyone has right to support or vote whoever he/she believes in, we understand that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in his New Year message on Sunday, only informed Nigerians about his choice of candidate in the upcoming presidential election, therefore, it is not his right to dictate to Nigerians on who should be the next President.”
The group observed: “Obasanjo, through his endorsement letter, has made the job easier for Tinubu, by asking Nigerians to look at track record of ability and performance.”
It maintained that among the candidates, Tinubu has a comprehensive youth-focused agenda that could liberate the younger generations by encouraging them to explore their potentials.
The statement reads in part: “Tinubu’s track record is unprecedented and unmatched among the candidates vying for the presidency. His achievements while he was governor of Lagos State have been a reference point not only in Lagos but the country as a whole. He built massive educational infrastructure called the Millennium Schools and pioneered free WAEC examination for every final year student of secondary schools throughout the state, an initiative replicated in other states.
“Tinubu’s style of governance is an example of inclusive society. He led legacy of forming a cabinet made up of people of other tribes and regions while he was governor of Lagos State. This is the type of person needed to sustain Nigeria as a nation. Asiwaju is one man for all tribes and religions.”
The group spotlighted the APC presidential candidate’s milestones in the areas of humanitarian development, infrastructural capacity and love for intellectuals.
It restated that Tinubu is the architect of modern Lagos, a state that serves as a model in terms of development.
YPP queried: “Where were the other candidates when Tinubu was at the forefront, leading struggle through NADECO in returning Nigeria from military to democratic rule that we all enjoy today?
“Let Obasanjo, the self-acclaimed influencer in Nigerian politics, tell us how many people have benefited from him politically before calling Obi as one of his mentees. It will be recalled that when he supported Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections against Buhari’s second term bid, he and his mentee failed.”
