By Patrick Idowu
Former interim chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has explained why he does not frequently visit President Bola Tinubu despite occasionally traveling to Abuja.
In an interview with journalist Edmund Obilo, monitored on YouTube, Akande recounted his longstanding relationship with Tinubu and his satisfaction with the president’s leadership.
“My goal was for a Yoruba man to become president, and my choice was Tinubu. After he won, I was happy and returned to my village in Ila, Osun State,” Akande said.
He revealed that Tinubu, during a conversation from France, expressed concern over his absence in Abuja.
“When he returned, I met him, and he said, ‘Baba, you asked me to run, I did, and became president, but now you are running away.’ It’s true! I went back to my village because I don’t want to be a minister or take any other position,” he explained.
On whether he offers advice to the president, Akande dismissed the idea, saying, “How and where would I do that? Would I take the place of his wife in his bedroom? He is already in office; I won’t interfere.”
He acknowledged the immense responsibilities of the presidency and expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.
Speaking on Nigeria’s economic challenges, Akande attributed the country’s struggles to debts inherited from previous administrations but maintained that stability was gradually returning.
“Nigeria was almost gone with the rate at which the past government was borrowing. But peace is coming, and the economy is becoming more stable,” he said.
However, his remarks on hunger in the country sparked controversy. Dismissing concerns, he argued that hard work could alleviate hardship.
“Come to my compound, and I will give you plenty of tomatoes. If you’re lazy in Nigeria, you’ll be hungry. Just plant a seed of corn, and in three months, you’ll harvest a thousand,” he remarked.
His comments have drawn mixed reactions, with some agreeing on the need for self-sufficiency while others criticized his stance as dismissive of the economic struggles many Nigerians face.
