Popular Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, on Sunday joined the list of Nigerians who have raised the alarm over the plot by undemocratic elements to manipulate the results of the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.
Yakasai, in a statement entitled ‘Reflections of a 98-Year-Old Patriot: A Message to those Planning to Rig the Elections’, which was obtained by Africa Today News, New York, explained that his fear was rooted on 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,
but for Nigeria and its people. I believe that for Nigeria to properly care for its teeming God-given population, every; ‘My concern is not for myself, one in the country must live in peace and harmony.
‘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?
‘In 1966, when the fist attempted military coup was made. I was at that time the National Publicity Secretary of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), Secretary of the Northern Progressives Front, and Deputy National President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, during which I witnessed the tragic events of the 1966 coup attempt, in which the late Chukwuma Nzeogwu and his other misguided associates assassinated Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, our first and so far the only Prime Minister for Nigeria; Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, also the only Premier of Northern Nigeria; Brigadier-General Zakariya Maimalari, Colonel Yakubu Pam, Colonel Kur Muhammad and other military officers were murdered by the coup plotters.’
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‘I was also present during the Kano riot, which was a response to the murders of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and others I mentioned earlier. That tragic event resulted in the loss of many innocent lives and took place in various parts of Northern Nigeria. The exact number of casualties, both military and civilian, has yet to be determined.
‘From this tragedy, 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.’
Africa Today News, New York reports that there has been strong claims of a plan to rig the 2023 election.