By Dele James
Sir, only the blind would refuse to acknowledge the Grace of GOD upon your life. From a child whose parentage, early life, background and education, have been viciously debated by political opponents, to becoming governor over Lagos State, and then president over the entire Nigeria – the most populous black nation in the world, certainly, only the naive would refuse to see the Gracious Hand of GOD on your life, career and political sagacity. GOD has really helped you sir.
We watched, how, after the results of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections were annulled, you became one of the founding members of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) – a group that rallied support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of Abiola as the winner of the 12 June election. Eventually, the military returned to the barracks, and NADECO witnessed the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999.
We watched as you became the governor of Lagos State, between 1999 and 2007, and doggedly withstood the president Olusegun Obasanjo-controlled federal government over the seized funds meant for local councils in the State. You stood your grounds on the newly created local government areas, came up with brilliant ideas to raise needed funds for the State, and won the war against the federal might. That was when you became “Jagaban!’ – a prestigious traditional chieftaincy title bestowed upon you in February 2006 by the late Emir of Borgu. The title translates to “Leader of Warriors” or “Chief Warrior” in the Hausa language. ‘Baba ni yen!’
We watched as you successfully planted transformational leaders, like Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to continue your good works in Lagos State. While your Lagos legacy is not perfect, it is undeniably remarkable, and continues to be the pacesetter for other states in the country. ‘Eyin le l’Eko sir!’
We watched in amusement, how you created a “mega opposition” party against the mammoth ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by causing the merger of Nigeria’s three biggest opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), and supported former military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, to become president in 2015, after he had failed thrice and wept on national television.
We watched, in greater amusement, in 2022, when you boldly declared, “Emilokan,” meaning, “it is my turn,” and went on to become the 16th president of Nigeria in 2023. Sir, you may think you got there by your brilliant political sagacity, strategic alliance and underground orchestration, but, we know, from the Big Book, that there’s no power but of GOD; He changes times and seasons, He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning (Daniel 2:21). Sir, GOD allowed you to get there. Fear Him!
As the current president, you’re father over all Nigerians, and we have come to appeal to you, our father, to have mercy on your children – Nigerians, by alleviating the suffering in the land. We acknowledge that you are not the cause of the pains in the country, but you are continuing on the same path that brought us here: insecurity, non-functional refineries, lack of power supply, terrible roads, dilapidated schools, ill-equipped hospitals, poorly paid teachers, and general dismal living conditions. Sir, we’re not seeing the benefits of your “Subsidy is gone” announcement o! ‘E sanu wa o!’
Daddy, just before you assumed office on May 29, 2023, Aliko Dangote successfully commissioned his refinery, located in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos, on May 22, 2023; and against all odds (national and international); he has been able to source for crude, refine it and helped to stabilise petrol supply in the country. Sir, what all your predecessors, since 1999, couldn’t do, Dangote has done, and continues to forge ahead irrespective of the challenges that our national saboteurs are throwing at him.
If Dangote could build a refinery from scratch, and maintain it, why can’t our four refineries be put in working condition? Is Dangote’s head more ‘correct’ than all our past presidents, governors, senators and reps? Daddy, don’t let the same be said of you and your administration. Please, FIX OUR REFINERIES! DO IT! DO IT NOW! 🇳🇬
Daddy, as the late sage, and uncommon patriot, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, wrote to then-President, Shehu Shagari, in 1981/82, we are sending you the same words, “Our ship of state is fast approaching a huge rock, and unless you, as the chief helmsman, quickly rise to the occasion and courageously steer the ship away from its present course, it shall hit the rock, and the inescapable consequence will be an unspeakable disaster such as is rare in the annals of man.”
Unfortunately, Shagari didn’t heed the wise words of Awolowo, and he paid for it with the Buhari coup in 1983. Sadly, Nigerians are still paying for it till date. Your predecessors, from Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, to Buhari, all FAILED to fix the 4 refineries, FAILED to fix electricity, FAILED to secure the lives of Nigerians (especially the last two before you), FAILED to give us State and LGA Police, FAILED to fix education, hospitals, roads, and many other life-enhancing amenities. Will you FAIL us like them? Daddy, no!
One of us wrote a letter like this to your immediate predecessor, but he didn’t heed it. Look at the way he ended. It would have been better if he never became president, and died with the glory of being Head-of-State, with the good works he did alongside Brigadier General Tunde Idiagbon. In the eyes of most Nigerians, your predecessor died a villain, a murderous tribalist and destroyer of Nigeria, steeped in nepotism. He died, and was forgotten in few days. Do you want to end that way too, daddy?
A wise friend once said, “Nobody can deny the Grace of GOD on the life of former Head-of-State and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, but, what he did with that Grace is between him and GOD. He’ll answer for it.” We, your concerned children, are deeply persuaded that a similar Grace is upon your life, and you’ll answer to your Creator for what you did with it. Daddy, you have a year more in this term, you can still do a lot to remedy the mess Nigeria is in. Reposition Nigeria for greatness NOW! Make Nigeria 🇳🇬 Great Again!
Let the same courageous Tinubu, that called the president’s bluff when he was Lagos State governor, arise, and wage a devastating war against insecurity in Nigeria; give us State and LGA Police; ensure the refineries become functional; give us round-the-clock power supply, and make Nigeria a place that Nigerians, all over the world, would delightfully want to return to. And, if GOD’S providence allows you to return for a second term, you’ll be able to consolidate on the good works you start NOW!
Just do all the things listed above, and even Omoyele Sowore – that ‘small boy’ who called you a criminal – would be forced to eat his words. Daddy, please forgive him; tell the DSS officials to overlook his misdemeanour. It is ‘small child’ that is doing him (omo kekere lo’nse’). Nonsense boy! 🤪
Daddy, on a very serious note, fix Nigeria! Align yourself to the enduring philosophy of Obafemi Awolowo (who gave us, and countless other Nigerians, FREE education and healthcare in Western Nigeria), built on the following:
True Federalism: devolution of powers to prevent central collapse. Nigeria needs urgent RESTRUCTURING, with strong regions and a weak centre. The country, as it presently stands, is a fraud. When the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria took place on January 1, 1914, our supposed founding fathers were little children: Nnamdi Azikiwe was 10 years old (born 1904), Ahmadu Bello was 4 years old (born 1910), and Obafemi Awolowo was 5 years old (born 1909). So, who signed the amalgamation for the Igbos, Hausas and Yorubas?
Besides, it is widely believed that the amalgamation should have been revisited and reviewed after 100 years. The British colonialists forced over 250 diverse ethnic groups, with different legal systems, languages, and religions, into a single country, purely for their own administrative ease and economic convenience. Must we continue with that scandalous arrangement?
Do the right thing sir, RESTRUCTURE Nigeria! Do it NOW! Talk to your ‘boys’ in the National Assembly, and it will happen ‘jagabanly!’
Welfare Economics: State-funded education and infrastructure, as implemented in the old Western Region. There’s no reason why Nigeria can’t be like Dubai, and even better. Heavily fund education, healthcare, roads, agriculture, and other social services, and make Nigeria a true inventors’ haven.
Let the criminal rehabilitation of ‘repentant’ terrorists and kidnappers with state funds end with your leadership. Apprehended criminals should be tried and sentenced according to the gravity of their offences. While we thank God for the safe return of the kidnapped victims of Oriire Local Government in Oyo State we are pleading that the same ingenuity with which they were rescued be eplicated across the country where people are being held by kidnappers.
Selfless Leadership: ideology-driven governance over political opportunism. We need strong INSTITUTIONS, and law abiding leaders, not mediocres and law breakers. We will never grow Nigeria with a top-heavy Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. Daddy, you’re presented with a unique opportunity to fit into the class of nation builders like: Lee Kuan Yew, Nelson Mandela, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Obafemi Awolowo, Julius Nyerere, Jerry Rawlings, etc. Please, seize it, NOW! Be a leader that BUILDS, and RESTRUCTURES, and RESTORES, and REVIVES. Give Nigerians TRUE HOPE!
Do these things, daddy, and you’ll NEVER be forgotten in the history of Nigeria, or whatever we become afterwards.
Thank you sir for patiently reading through this heartfelt concern for you, your family, your administration, and how history will judge you. We know that corruption and nepotism didn’t start with you, but, you can end both, and other shady practices that limit development in Nigeria. WE thank you for the students’ loan initiative, improvement in processing passports and other good initiatives that your administration has put in place. GOD bless you sir.
Daddy, before I drop my pen, ‘abi keypad ni,’ please, help us tell your spokesmen/publicists: Bayo Onanuga and Daniel Bwala (turncoat and globally confirmed liar), to take it easy, sir. They should know that THERE’S ANOTHER DAY CALLED ‘TOMORROW,’ and THERE’S SOMETHING CALLED ‘INTERNET/HISTORY’ THAT NEVER FORGETS! ‘Boda Bayo! Boda Bayo!! Boda Bayoooooo!!! Ko daa o!’ Are you not the same Bayo Onanuga of PM News, Tempo and TheNEWS magazine? ‘Haba! E de beru Oloun, Boda Bayo! Àbọ̀ ọrọ̀ là á sọ fún ọmọlúwàbí; tó bá dé inú rẹ̀, a di odindi. E beru Oloun o! Tor!’
‘Daddy, eseun sir. Nigeria o ni baje o. O baje ti!’ 🇳🇬
Eseun sir.
Daalu.
Na gode.
Thank you sir.
Signed:
Your concerned children: Dele, Doyin, Abimbola, Tajudeen, Victor, Femi, and over 200 million young Nigerians, rooting for your success.