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I Don’t Know How To Advise Nigerians On Current Hardship – APC Leader, Bisi Akande

Published

3 years ago

July 23, 2023

Editor

The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande has said that he would not advise Nigerians on the current severe hardships being faced on all fronts as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy because he is not in government.

Recall that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy in his inauguration speech, the living conditions of Nigerians have started growing from bad to worst based among others on the progressive increment of prices of PMS from N185 per litre to N515 Per litre and now to N585 per litre and beyond.

Chief Bisi Akande spoke in Oro in Irepodun Local Government rea of Kwara State on Saturday on the sideline of the reception organised by the Oro community to honour the immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed for doing the community proud during his eight years in office.

Speaking with journalists in the private resident of the former minister on his advise to Nigerians based on the hardship they are currently facing, he said: “I’m sorry,I’m not in the position to advise Nigerians because I’m not in government and I don’t want to make mistake. Only members of government who are reading files that know a lot of things about the country can do that.im in a position like you and I will see it the way you will see it.”

He nevertheless extolled the virtues of the former minister particularly while he served under him as the Publicity Secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD),Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)and All Progressives Congress (APC).

“He served Alh Muhammed Buhari for eight years that’s not my business because I wasn’t part of the government but while serving under me as the Publicity Secretary of the AD,ACN and APC I found him to be a diligent people’s servant,” he said.

“I know him to be a great man a very honest individual always willing to learn.He does his job according to rule and I’m happy that he has such a wife that can allow his husband to move among others and be great so I’m happy,” The elder statesman enthused.

Chief Akande also urged the people of Oro to shun “Bad mouthing “syndrome and unite with whoever has the opportunity to be great in order to reproduce many great sons like Alh Lai Mohammed.

“I want to advise our people in Oro to be united because I know they belong to the minority in Kwara state due to the wickedness of the colonial masters who splitted the people of Igbomina and the Yoruba between the old western region and the old northern region.

“So today I can see my people being in minority also in Kwara state and I begin to say that our people must be united in everything they do.When they see anyone of them moving forward in a race they should support him and not say I think I can do it better and then begin to badmouth or pull down.

“The pull down syndrome must not be allowed among Oro people or Igbomina people so that they could produce many more of Lai Mohammed. ” he said.

In his his own remark, the former minister Alh Lai Mohammed said “there is no honor more valued than the one you are given by your own people.”

“Whatever might be their reasons for honouring me I can only thank them for the honour they have done to me its very rare not common because the common parlance is that a prophet is not honoured by his own people.” he added.

Speaking on the current situation in Nigeria the former minister also declined comment.

“I am today Lai Mohammed,a private citizen like you,so what do I know about government?”

He also declined comment about his trying period during the eight years as a minister saying this is not a forum for that,” there will still be fora that we’ll discuss that.

He however commended the people of Oro community for their religious tolerance that bound them together in unity and urged others to emulate them.

He said, “All over the world one of the greatest challenges humanity is facing today is extremism and extremism could come through political groups or religious abuse and in most cases one overlap the other. For those of us familiar with Boko Haram insurgency it was purely intolerance and extremism on the part of some people and this is what I find unique about my community because my people always live in harmony in respective of your religion affiliation.”

Earlier, President of Oro Community Prof Olabode Bojuwoye in his address said the ceremony was a well-deserved homecoming,” for our illustrious son Alh Lai Mohammed.”

“We thank him for his numerous services while in lagos state as Chief of staff then as National Publicity secretary of APC then as Minister for eight years.

“We are extremely happy at home because as they say charity begins at home.

“His contributions to Oro community are immense and cannot be forgotten. “he added.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by his Deputy Mr Kayode Alabi at the occasion also commended Alh Lai Mohammed for serving the nation meritoriously and make kwara state proud.

He urged politicians and other stakeholders to live in unity and peace among themselves so that the state can continue to witness development.

VANGUARD

Related Topics:#Tinubu Bisi Akande subsidy

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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.