The Arewa Youths for Peace and Security (AYPS) has asked the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, to apologize to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu over his comment when he appeared before a House of Representatives adhoc committee earlier in the week.
The group stated that no amount of efforts put in by anyone can stop the emergence of Tinubu, as Nigeria’s next President “if it destined by God because only him gives power”.
KanyiDaily recalls that Ngige had compared himself to Tinubu while fielding questions from the committee on alleged breach of Presidential directive in his suspension of the management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Chris Ngige had specifically told Hon. James Faleke that he was at the same level with his mentor and former governor of Lagos state, Bola Tinubu.
Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, 2020, the AYPS President, Alhaji Salisu Magaji, said that Ngige’s reference to Tinubu as his mate while exchanging words with Faleke, was in bad taste.
The youth group expressed disgust at what it termed “the clownish and uncivilized attitudes of some top government officials of the Buhari Administration that obviously exhibit unpreparedness for the nitty-gritty and challenges of governance which they have seamlessly taken to be a tea party.”
The group, therefore, urged the minister to withdraw his remark and immediately apologize to the former Lagos state governor without further delay.
Magaji accused the minister of condescending too low “by appearing at the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly only to exhibit traits comparable to those coming from a disoriented class.”
Recalling the statement made by the minister, the group wondered why officials in the present administration find it convenient to deride the former Lagos State Governor since his rumoured interest in the 2023 presidential election.
The statement added: “The body language of this government is that they detest Tinubu becoming the next President of Nigeria and are ready to stop him, and the question is what are they afraid of?”
It assured that no amount of the efforts put in by anyone can stop the emergence of Tinubu as Nigeria’s next president if it is destined by God.
The group therefore advised those working against the purported aspiration to talk about issues instead of personality and refrain from speaking evil about Tinubu, who it said: “by every standard, he is the kind of leader this nation deserves at this point of our democratic evolution.”
It praised what is observed as the maturity of the APC chieftain in his approach to the unwarranted attacks, urging him not to be deterred in his desire to see a better Nigeria.
KanyiDaily recalls that a former SGF, Babachir Lawal had also said Bola Tinubu possessed the qualities of a good modern president to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.