REMI WAS READY TO DIE WITH ME -Bola Tinubu

Ex-governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a political godfather, who has assumed popularity with his interest and participation in the political activities of the country. The former Lagos State governor and a leading godfather of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) last week used the opportunity of his wife's, Remi's 50th birthday celebration in Lagos to speak on the forthcoming elections, Nigeria's 50th independence anniversary and why the woman is so important to him.

Biola Orisile spoke with him.

It very obvious you are happy today sir, but how happy are you

Very, very happy. I am happy because she wanted to have her birthday this way and she had. I am so happy.

So, what do you wish her sir

It's our hope, joy and happiness to reach this age in life. It's a vision that we shared a lot more on earth. She is very humble and dedicated to humanity. She has been through a lot with me.  We've been on the canoe together, we could have just dived and die and she was a lonely mother when I was being chased around the world. She has been through thick and thin with me, even when I first joined politics and my daughter who sang that song was just a toddler. So, why won't I share in her joy and appreciate the glorious God Almighty. So, this day is the most important day. It is her dedication to humanity and her love for the youth, being a role model and guardian to lot of youth in the university, primary schools and high school. She has given several scholarships to students. See what is happening today. She doesn't want cards, cakes but want everything diverted for her new era foundation so that she can be able to give scholarships to those who need them.

In other word, would you please describe Mrs. Remi Tinubu

(Cuts in) my wife (laugh) she is my loving wife. No description.

Remi Tinubu (Middle)

How do you see Nigeria celebrating its 50th birthday

Nigeria at 50 is a beginning of a new life and new challenges. Several challenges ahead, a disappointing 50th independence, a sign of hopelessness, increasing poverty in the society, high degree of insincerity, deteriorated infrastructure, which cannot give hope to the citizens. We need fresh ideas, fresh beginning. We need to know our rights; we need to know our future. We need to bring back the hope of our people. Nigeria at 50 must see the challenges ahead as not just a third voice and not just ordinary thing we do and go to the corner of our room or house. The government has to be upgraded and enough of lack of this and that which is taking our liberty, our right and freedom.

We have to struggle with our hands to correct and I can give you three or four instances as I talk, say no to fraud and electoral malpractices.

Be concerned, register and vote. Make sure your vote is counted so that you can be delighted that the leader would respond to your need. Once you start to embrace that culture, everything will change. Don't think it is rigorous. If steps are not taken in pursuit of change in Lagos, there will be none. Without knowledge, revenue and blocking of the loopholes, your idea is nothing.

Nigeria is like a mother stealing the baby milk and later complaining of malnutrition. There is nothing the baby can do. If we cannot fight ourselves, are we going to rent other people to fight for us?

Sir, INEC just announced that election date might be postponed even after the release of election time table, what do you have to say in this regard

I respect and commend them. We should discourage an impossible task, even all prophets of God, both Muslims and Christians don't embark on impossible tasks. He cannot be a magician; he can only reflect his character.

So, you don't blame him but encourage him. He just told us the truth, so he should not be blamed. Those who make the law should go in and remember that we voted for them and they should make the law that is workable.

They're given him calendar and he is saying you will give me time to look at it. But by giving the calendar and time table is wrong, it is wrong, interference is unconstitutional. It's not the kind of democracy we are looking for.   

November 11, 2010