One of the national leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, weekend, said he could not advise Nigerians on the current severe hardships being faced as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy because he was not in government.
Akande, who spoke in Oro in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State at a reception organised for the immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for doing the community proud during his eight years in office, said he also saw things like the average Nigerian.
Speaking with journalists at the private residence of the former minister on his advice to Nigerians based on the hardship they were currently facing, he said, “I’m sorry, I’m not in the position to advise Nigerians, because I’m not in government and I don’t want to make mistakes.
“Only members of the government, who are reading files that know a lot of things about the country, can do that. I’m in a position like you and I will see it the way you will see it.”
He extolled the virtues of Mohammed particularly while he served under him as the Publicity Secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressives Congress (APC).
“He (Mohammed) served Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari for eight years. That’s not my business, because I wasn’t part of the government but while serving under me as the Publicity Secretary of the AD, ACN and APC, I found him to be a diligent people’s servant.
“I know him to be a great man; a very honest individual, always willing to learn. He does his job according to rules and I’m happy that he has such a wife that can allow his husband to move among others and be great. So, I’m happy,” the elder statesman stated.
Akande also urged the people of Oro to shun the “Bad mouthing syndrome” and unite with whoever has the opportunity to be great in order to reproduce many great sons like Mohammed.
Mohammed, while speaking, said, “There is no honour more valued than the one you are given by your own people. Whatever might be their reasons for honouring me, I can only thank them for the honour they have done to me. It’s very rare, not common, because the common parlance is that a prophet is not honoured by his own people.”
Mohamed also said extremism was one of the greatest challenges humanity was facing, but contended that extremism could come in either political or religious views.
“In most cases, both political or religious extremism overlap the other,” he said.
Hammed Shittu
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