2023: THE PRESIDENT NIGERIA NEEDS –OLAWEPO HASHIM; ‘Rotational presidency is more of distraction. Presidency should be about competence not about rotation’
As the search for driver of the vehicle of the nation in 2023 gathers momentum, a former Presidential candidate and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim has emphasised the need for “a true Nigeria President that will see all Nigeria as his constituency and will do justice to all regardless of ethnic or religious persuasion.
“Rotational presidency is more of distraction. Presidency should be about competence not about rotation. When looters are sharing money, they don’t talk of tribe and religion. What we Nigerians need now is solution to employment, infrastructure, perceived injustice, etc”, he said.
Last week, former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, in an interview with Arise Television maintained that “Nigeria’s next President should be in his 60’s”, adding he had already envisaged about three-four people who might be qualified and, with the right qualities, to lead the country come 2023.
Thisday Newspaper, a sister company of Arise Televison followed up on Monday with an array of names and possible candidates for the driver’s seat come 2023. These names range from VP Yemi Osinbajo, Raji Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Kayode Fayemi, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu among others.
But in a recent report, Olawepo-Hashim has emerged most vocal and engaging political leader on cyberspace, discussing critical issues of statehood, economic development and national unity and proffering solutions on how to advance the country and keep it safe.
In the report released by Grand Plan, research and new media communication outfit, Olawepo-Hashim is only behind incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari who is finishing his second term in office in 2023. The data showed Olaweo-Hashim was ahead of all other political figures, including Former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Chairman of Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum, Kayode Fayemi and Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and others.
According to statistics by Grand Plan, President Muhammed Buhari maintain top with over 296,000+ engagement, followed by Olawepo Hashim with 98,000+ engagement.
Data released shows that other political figures and presidential hopefuls such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar recorded 53,000+ engagements, Dr. Bukola Saraki recorded 48,000+engagement.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, who has also indicated an interest in the presidency recorded 37,000+ engagements and Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi had only 6000+ engagement on the tech giant platform, Facebook.
Olawepo-Hashim however insisted that what Nigeria truly needs now is a true Nigerian president; and that the next president of Nigeria must be ready to create the environment for jobs for our young people, who currently have 54% of them (between ages 15 and 25) unemployed!
“The present problem is a pure failure of leadership at every levels. Presently we don’t even have a local government administration. They have been destroyed by the governors”, he said in an interview on AIT Television recently.
He also maintained that the “challenges confronting Nigeria are larger than any particular party in government or in opposition, they are bigger than any group’s interest or ambition, they require the goodwill of all patriots to resolve, and our best collective wisdom as a people.”
According to him, “the nation is on fire and we must put it out right now! Nigeria’s political leaders across political lines in government and out of government must urgently arrive at a consensus to secure the country and return it to a path of peace and unity so as to give hope to the citizens who desperately need to be assured that their father land can still work for them.”
He therefore listed a six point agenda as a pathway to security and peace in our land. These include:
1. Establish a Defence Co-operation Agreement (DCA) with a friendly nation to halt the enemy’s advance. Those who are fighting Nigeria are from all over the world, the enemy is multinational in its composition.
2. We must put our house in order by resolving internal wrangling through dialogue, fairness, and justice.
3. We must have a broad-based cabinet that can inspire hope, efficiency, and national unity.
4. We must immediately create the framework for States and Local Governments to have their own police.
5. All states should have concurrent jurisdiction over mineral resources within their state and pay taxes to the Federal purse.
6. We must decentralize electricity generation, transmission via local grid and distribution. This should be on the concurrent list.
“Time is running out for orderly resolution of the issues giving leadership on a road-map for peace and security at this critical time is the least we owe our people who have suffered too much deprivation. Every leader must get up to be counted,” Olawepo Hashim said.
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