A People Democratic Party’s stalwart, Segun Akinyemi, popularly known in the Lagos social circle as Sky, has opened up to the publisher of Freelanews, VICTOR OJELABI, over the 2023 general elections and the chances of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who was once Nigeria’s vice president, at the polls.
A man of many parts, Akinyemi is an entrepreneur, media and entertainment analyst and independent publicist. He is the founder of De-Sky Multimedia UK, The Mono Channel and KÚTÚPÀ Herbal Beverages Ltd.
During the Freelanews Top 10 Questions, Sky, who is also the chairman of PDP UK South West Zone, enumerated several qualities of the man popularly known with the chieftaincy title Waziri of Adamawa Emirate, the highest in the council that puts him in charge of administration of the emirate. This title given to people who are educated, honest and God fearing.
Akinyemi also spoke on the agenda behind a support group, Atiku Ne Za Bin Mu A 2023, as one of the vehicle to ensure successful electioneering campaigns.
Excerpts…
You’ve been a consistent believer in the Atiku project and PDP for a long time now. What’s your staying power?
Naturally, I am a loyal and consistent person; I have always believed and stood by my convictions. I’ve been a supporter of PDP since 1998 and I have not had any reason to deviate. To me, PDP is Africa’s biggest political family that accommodates everyone and creates a level playing field. Regardless of the storm, PDP will always and has always bounced back.
Atiku has been running for president since 1993 when he lost to the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola at the primary on the platform of the defunct SDP and many Nigerians are wondering why he hasn’t given up hope of ruling the country. Some believe it is desperation. Do you agree with them?
There’s nothing such as desperation in his quest to contribute his own quota to the development of his fatherland. He believes he has the magical wand to solve Nigeria’s myriads of problems and he is driven by that passion and zeal. The only way he can achieve this is by following through the democratic process and throwing his hat in the ring. It’s quite valid to try many times to achieve your objective and no matter how many times you fail, you must not quit.
It’s believed by many that PDP contributed the highest to these myriads of problems Nigeria is bewitched with. Why do you think Nigerians will trust its candidate?
I think it’s ignorant for anyone to join in spreading the falsehood that PDP ruined Nigeria in 16 years. Prior to the formation of PDP in 1998, Nigeria has suffered incompetent leadership from successive military governments. Abacha, the former head of state died in 1998 and up till date Nigeria is still recovering millions of dollars from his loot stashed away abroad. Now, do you blame PDP for that? Was the N2.8billon of missing oil money Fela (Anikulapo Kuti) sang about years back caused by PDP? So it’s totally incorrect to attribute Nigeria’s problems to PDP alone. The fact still remains that in this present current democratic setting, Nigeria glorious years have been under the PDP rule.
Atiku once ran on a party he formed with APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Why did you think he rejected the latter as his running mate?
His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the unifier and has always been a detribalised Nigerian who also knows the value of total inclusiveness. It would have been so unfair to fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which would amount to a total disrespect for the Christians in Nigeria. Hence the reason he refused to run with Asiwaju Tinubu. Atiku’s conscience would not have permitted him to display such a poor sense of judgement.
Are you also of the school of thought that he lost the election to Umaru YarAdua because of that?
With the goodwill the Obasanjo administration enjoyed and the many giant strides of PDP, there wasn’t any political party that stood any chance of winning against Late Umar Yardua of PDP at that period. So I don’t think it has anything to do with ATIKU as a person.
Of all the candidates in the 2023 election, what edge do you think Atiku has?
Atiku is in pole position to win the next presidential election because he is the most experienced of all and has the most acceptance across all geo-political zones of Nigeria. There is no Nigerian of voting age that doesn’t know Atiku and how influential he is. As far as a I am concerned the other candidates, with all respect to them, are more like regional candidates. Besides, Atiku is the most qualified in terms of education, exposure and has a vast network of friends across the world. His business acumen his top notch and he also has an impeccable track record in public service right from his days as a serving customs officer.
As far as a I am concerned the other candidates, with all respect to them, are more like regional candidates.
And if Atiku should become president, what would he do differently being a part of the ruling class for a long time?
Atiku will run Nigeria differently in many ways but most importantly, he will run a government of full inclusiveness, where everyone will be represented. Women and youth will make up 40% of his cabinet. Unlike the failed APC government that wasted the vital first six months on junketing around the world, he would get down to work on day one and his appointments would not be lopsided. He will diversify the economy and turn Nigeria to a manufacturing country rather than one that relies mainly on imported goods. Atiku is a known successful businessman and he’s also one of Nigeria’s highest employers of labour. Atiku is not coming loot our resources, instead he will use his vast business knowledge in creating wealth and will make sure our middle class thrives again.
Whenever Atiku is mentioned, what comes to mind is Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s comment on him. Do you think Atiku could be trusted?
I think Chief Obasanjo has been misquoted severally over Atiku. Whatever friction the pair may have had in the past has been resolved and they now enjoy a very cordial relationship.
Why Atiku Ne Zabin Mua 2023? And what’s the strategy of the organisation to winning the 2023 election for Atiku?
Atiku ne za bin mua 2023 means Atiku is our choice in 2023.
We are an independent support group under the amiable leadership of our national coordinator, Ambassador Halima Suleiman, who also is a member of the PDP presidential campaign.
The agenda behind the group is prompted by the need to further engage Nigerians into the movement of taking back Nigeria and reposition the nation back onto a progressive track. The objective of the organization and its convener is to inform Nigerians on the capacity of Atiku and present his track record as a factor that presents him as the best candidate who can get the job done.
And finally, as the electioneering campaign has been officially declared, what would you advise Nigerians?
As the electioneering process begins, my advice to Nigerians is to go about lawfully while campaigning for their candidates and eschew any form of violence and brigandry. Election is not war and we must be tolerant of each other’s choice. The youths must resist any attempt by politicians to use them as thugs to intimidate voters. Finally Nigerians must vote based on their conscience and candidate’s capabilities shunning any ethno religious sentiments.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
