An Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, has expressed concern over the actions of some persons in the build up to the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.
He said there’s plot by undemocratic elements to manipulate the results of the
Yakasai made this known in a statement on Sunday entitled ‘Reflections of a 98-Year-Old Patriot: A Message to those Planning to Rig the Elections’.
He stated that his fear was rooted in the fact that “when people are consumed by their inordinate desires, they become blind to the bigger picture.”
The former Special Adviser to the late President Shehu Shagari said, “My concern is not for myself, everyone in the country must live in peace and harmony.
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“Those who prioritise winning the upcoming elections at all cost may not understand my concern for the survival of Nigeria and its people, which only stems from my patriotism.”
He lamented that “unfortunately, there are unpatriotic individuals who are solely focused on their own selfish and narrow interests and do not care about the future of the country and its people.
“I have been pondering on what motivates those who plan to rig or scuttle the upcoming elections in Nigeria and particularly the presidential election. Do they believe they can do so without consequences?.
“I learned that when people are consumed by their inordinate desires, they become blind to the bigger picture. This is why I want to advise those considering manipulating the results of the coming presidential election not to take any actions that could plunge our nation into catastrophe.
“At 98 years old and as an only surviving child of my parents, with only a few relatives, all I have are my children, and grandchildren. I am a billionaire not even a businessman. My concern is not for myself, but for Nigeria and its people. I believe that for Nigeria to properly care for its teeming God-given population everyone in the country must live in peace and harmony. While some may not share this patriotic concern, it is borne out of my patriotism and desire for the survival of Nigeria and wellbeing of its people. There are those who are only concerned with their own selfish interests, unconcerned about the country and its people. Such people are callous and unpatriotic.
“Furthermore, it is crucial that Nigeria develops in order to properly care for its burgeoning population. This can only be achieved if the country remains united, peaceful and harmonious. Those who prioritise winning the upcoming elections at all cost may not understand my concern for the survival of Nigeria and its people, which only stems from my patriotism. I can assure all that this concern is genuine. I am in politics for patriotic reasons, not personal gain. Unfortunately, there are unpatriotic individuals who are solely focused on their own selfish and narrow interests and do not care about the future of the country and its people.
“But there are many Nigerians who are only concerned about the country prosperity and of its people but who are concerned about peace and harmony as well as peaceful coexistence of the over 200 million of its people and humanity.
“I, therefore, urge patriotic citizens to rise in defence of our motherland and its future not to allow the tiny misguided minority among Nigerians who are not looking at the greater picture of the country. We should together engage in cooperative understanding of doing our utmost endeavours and synergy to save the country and protect its future.”