Elder Tim Osadolo is the Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party. He speaks with Ben Peters in Abuja recently on issues that’ll determine the forthcoming presidential election. Excerpts:
2023 general elections is few days from now, your take.
I am Timothy Osadolor, I am the Deputy National Leader of the PDP. I am also the deputy director for youths and students organization and youth campaign council.
In Edo, my home state, I am the field operations, deputy director and also the chairman of youth campaign council. It has been quite interesting and relieving going across the length and breath of this country to sell the message of rescue and rebuilding Nigeria which is the thrust for our campaign this 2023 as members of PDP. You will agree with me, gentle men of the press, that life has become unbearable and Nigerians are becoming frustrated with the policies of the outgoing government of APC led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Muhammadu Buhari is a very good man in the midst of so many wolves who are political merchants that have not allowed the fortunes of this country to benefit the citizens of the country. So, no matter how good a man is or how pure his intentions are, if your actions do not translate to the well-being of the next person, you have failed. So, the government of the APC has failed, Nigerians are clamouring for change, not the kind of change they had in 2015, but the kind of change that will bring about the stability of the Naira, the security of our lives and that of our jobs and that of our children. That is the kind of change Nigerians are asking for.
The government of the APC has failed, Nigerians are clamouring for change, not the kind of change they had in 2015, but the kind of change that will bring about the stability of the Naira, the security of our lives and that of our jobs and that of our children. That is the kind of change Nigerians are asking for
It may interest you to know that Nigerians have identified the man that can bring about the kind of change that they desire, from the East, West , North and South, everywhere we go, Atiku Abubakar is the name on everyone’s lips. In some places we go to, we see women crying, youths clamouring, all for PDP to come back to power, the growing days of PDP are still fresh in their memories; that is why we have decided among ourselves not to disappoint the people because society will not be fair to us, even God himself will not be happy with us, and we will not be fair to ourselves if we don’t justify this trust that Nigerians are imposing on us by delivering topmost of what they expect from us. I want to tell Nigerians and all the Nigerian youths that all hope is not lost, the chances may look very sad, but the truth is, in a few days time, we will pass a judgment on this failed government, and I believe that the anticipation of the immediate defeat is already sending the leadership of the APC into panic mood, and that is why you hear some public statements of the leaders going to courts and making decisions that are not of the government. It is frustration that is driving them into what they are doing right now; we will not be bothered because we are firm, and we are telling them that no matter how they try, February 25th is certain. Nothing should make the president shift the date because that day is judgement day.
You’ve been moving from one state to another, how has it been revealing that the youths are strongly behind the PDP candidate?
Well, I can tell you for a fact that I’ve been to North-East, North-West, north-south, north central and also the southern part of Nigeria, problems are the same across the nation, irrespective of the region, insecurity, lack of financial power, uncertainty of what we call the next minute, what to eat, the quality of living etc, so many youths are clamouring. They read in papers and see on TV what is happening in other countries. They also hear from those that are fortunate to have escaped what is obtainable in other countries, knowing full well that some of these other countries are not as rich as we are and not even as resourceful as we are. So, majority of youths have made up their minds that this government that has brought about this hardship that has never been in the history of this country before must go. Do not forget, Nigerian youths are the most intelligent set of youths on earth and because of this knowledge, they know the right thing to do, and more so sir, what is pushing the Nigerian youths towards PDP is this, it is not because we have the largest and good structure, or because we are among the oldest party. It is because of the character of the candidate; his track records speak for him. He was the first to release a manifesto and he was so clear in his manifesto what he had planned out for the youths. He said a 10 billion dollar SMS fund will be set up, training programmes will be set up, 60% members of the cabinet will be youths male and female, some as junior ministers, some into NGOs, so that they will learn this governance well.
Now, it is the turn of the most competent person, and the most competent person to go in this race is his Excellency, Atiku Abubakar. And that is who the Nigerian youths want, everywhere we go they are solely endorsing him.You hear from NANS, also from National Youth Council and also from youth stakeholders; all the youth groups are clamouring for one man. It means he is doing what is right
So, when this country is being handed over to them, they can handle the affairs of the country well.
Now, it is the turn of the most competent person, and the most competent person to go in this race is his Excellency, Atiku Abubakar. And that is who the Nigerian youths want, everywhere we go they are solely endorsing him.You hear from NANS, also from National Youth Council and also from youth stakeholders; all the youth groups are clamouring for one man. It means he is doing what is right.
How much support do you think the youths can render to Atiku Abubakar?
The truth is that, if late Anini of infamous memory was still alive, I’m sure that there are people who will vote for him. So, it is everyone’s right including the youths to vote for whoever they want, but the major point here is that Nigerians want Atiku. I can tell you this for free. I’ve been on the field for the past 23 days nonstop, only on the youth week not even on general campaign council, and I can assure you that majority of Nigerian youths are supporting PDP, even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ had 12 disciples and had a Judas from the 12. So, if you see youths that are saying they want Tinubu, it is allowed, but the majority of youths who need the well-being of this country will tell you Atiku is the man to put your whole trust in.
One of the main crisis on ground now is the Naira scarcity and you will need money during the election to pay agents, logistics and other things. What means have you devised to actually navigate through this Naira crisis?
The issue of Naira should not be an issue. All the agents have account numbers, we mustn’t be carrying money about. Let us do things in a more civilised way. That it was being done in the past doesn’t mean that it is the best way. In the UK, there is a volume of cash people will see on you and you will be arrested for that. Let me tell you, yes, transiting is difficult but it is the best thing that can happen to us. If kidnappers know that you cannot access more than five thousand or ten thousand a day, those demands of 20 to 100 million Naira will begin almost impossible. So, let’s look at the brighter side. They should cry for better things like good networks so the banking system can provide stable network for the people. So, I’m asking for more investment in our technological services than bother about Naira circulation. I beg President Buhari and every Nigerian youth, this election should be denied cash. Let everybody vote with their conscience, nobody should put Mr president and even the CBN governor under any kind of pressure. If you think you are popular, go and test your popularity in the streets, don’t buy the conscience of anybody. It is only politicians that want to buy conscience of the voters that are looking for Naira. Let your character buy votes for you. President Muhammadu Buhari ran for so many years, he kept having more than 11million votes from people that believe in him, he was not feeding them or giving them money. It was because they believed he had something to do in government; that’s why they kept voting for him. So, let all of them go and sell themselves on the altar of credibility and character other than buying votes. Enough is enough.
What of the politicians sponsoring attacks on the public?
Few hours ago, I’m sure you heard that my state government called for the arrest of Adams Oshiomhole, and now I’m asking the security forces why is Adams Oshiomhole not in their custody? I want to believe what he said are not just statements , I’m sure he backed them up with actions because we all know the kind of person he is.