By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, elderstateman and erstwhile chairman of Western Hotel, Chief John Olumuyiwa Filani has expressed great disappointment in the current administration in the country as well as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress APC for failing to fulfil the 2015 and 2019 electioneering mandates to Nigerians.
Addressing a cross section of Journalists in a news conference at his Ado Ekiti residence, on the state of the nation and the upcoming February general elections, Chief Filani explained that he had expected the APC and the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to have salvaged the country from the various challenges bedevilling the nation, within the last eight years of their ruling.
According to him, Nigerians had high hopes and expectations from both the APC and Buhari government But the hopes were dashed with some errors of commission and omission in their administration.
Despite his strong position against the APC, Chief Filani explained that he had made critical analysis of the candidates the major parties jostling for the presidency, but found out that despite the failures of the APC, its candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands tall and miles ahead others.
He explained that with the personality of Bola Tinubu who had built human relations across different tribes, national and global connections with Governmental and Non- governmental organizations, as well as the result from his Lagos State Litmus test, he (Tinubu) would lead Nigerians to individual and collective fulfillment in cheer prosperity.
“We were together sometimes in the United Kingdom where we fought the Nigeria government of Late Sani Abacha to a stand still.
Apart from the fact that we were colleagues, by that time l was the Secretary of NADECO abroad, I was in London then when the likes of Bola Tinubu, late Pa Enahoro, Ben Okpoti, Femi Falana were thrown out into exile.
In the race for the seat of the President, having carefully scrutinised the four leading candidates, I mean Kwankaso, Tinubu, Obi and Atiku, I stand to say that Tinubu has an edge above others and I am advocating that my constituency Ikole, Ekiti and Nigerians as a whole should think and vote Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Asiwaju is yet to attain power, hence can not blame him for Buhari and APC failures, although he is a leader in the party, but he has no control over most of the policies being rolled out by the present federal administration under President Muhammadu Buhari.
When I looked at the whole country and the APC, can you tell me one thing, that Buhari has done in relating to his campaign promises? In terms of education, security, infrastructure, economy?
I know APC has not done very well in certain areas, but I can assure you Tinubu will redeem the image of APC. I maintain that leadership is very key and as at now, there is little or nothing that Asiwaju Tinubu can do other than only to follow what the Presidency is dishing out because he is yet to have the mandate, therefore, if Tinubu becomes the President, am convinced that few of the policies of Buhari will survive because it will be changed by Bola Tinubu.
Then Energy which is very key in any economy is nothing to write home about, like in my area, we only have 30 minutes light everyday and every month they bring bills of thousands of naira and yet we are in darkness. I have electronics and yet, no light to power it yes I have generator, but I only put it on in the night because I can’t use generator 24 hours in a day and it can’t continue like that.
If I am using pre-paid, how about the industries and other private individuals how will they survive?
But I assure you if Bola Tinubu becomes the President, he will ensure that these things work out because this is someone i know who won’t goklfkkfr back on his promises.”
Expressing his view on the administration of the Ekiti State, Chief Filani described the Governor Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as a coolheaded and intelligent, and God fearing leader who will perform excellently as he also commands the respect of all Ekiti elders.
The Ikole-Ekiti born APC chieftain called on people to get their PVC ready and vote for Tinubu in the coming election