I was invited to Democratic Party’s convention, says Tinubu

By Kelvin OSA OKUNBOR

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (left) fielding questions yesterday from reporters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on arrival from the United States of America. With him is the former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, M

Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola  Tinubu  returned to Lagos yesterday from the United States of America (USA) and said he was properly invited to the just concluded convention  of the Democratic Party where President Barack Obama was nominated for the November election.

He deplored the  “unwarranted” criticism of his attendance at the convention, espec ially by the PDP. The ruling party, he insisted, lacks the moral right to query the mode of his invitation to the convention, having failed to address the issues of electricity and inability to put food on the table of the average Nigerian.

The Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN) leader said he seized the opportunity of the convention to discuss with great minds  ideas that are central to the development and sustenance of democratic institutions.

Tinubu said: ”It is unfortunate that we have not been able to distinguish between public contact and a proper democratic convention. There is a great exhibition of Nigerian ignorance and those scavenging power in its corridors.

“They do not even appreciate  the fact that we fought for democracy.

During the struggle for this democracy, there was a lot of precedence and people outside this country are still watching us.

“ I  was at the convention. I was invited properly.Who are the people asking me to prove anything?

“Is it about the high rate of unemployment in this country? Is it about the inability of the ruling party to provide food on the table for hungry Nigerians? Is it about the state of electricity in the country that they cannot privatise properly  without blackmailing the former minister of power, who the government forced to resign because they have an agenda of turning everything into a family affair?

“The ruling party should busy itself with the infrastructure  that is lacking in this country. There is need for our leaders to share knowledge with others to know what we need and how to move the nation forward.”

The ACN leader hailed the  robustness of the American democracy, which he said is based on ideas and the resolve of its leaders to create a platform for promoting values and vision.

On the lessons Nigeria could draw from US leaders, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “Our  airport, is it a friendly one that is inviting business and tourism we should take Nigeria and its governance more seriously?

“I represented my party, ACN,  the progressives  at the convention with Hon. Dele Alake, Speaker Adeyemi  Ikuforiji. Whatever they insinuate does not bother me. I am glad I represented my party.”

On the chances of the ACN in next month’s  governorship election in Ondo State, TInubu said: “We are working hard for the October  gubernatorial election  in Ondo state. Our candidate is working hard and the party is working very hard.

All our structures are in place and as long as the election is well monitored and controlled, we are very sure of victory.”

Commenting on the killing  of the US ambassador in LIbya, TInubu  said: “We need to pay more attention and not lip service to  the question of security. The world is getting smaller because of technology and the wild rumours that have no credibility can cause  problems of security. 

“It has become a serious problem all over the country and we have to pay special attention to security effectively and not just react but be very proactive.

“Look at the case of Oshiomhole‘s  PA that was murdered. The case is disjointed, uncoordinated between the police and the SSS,  parading different suspects; they are not communicating, not sharing information for the good of  Nigerians.“

He described the planned introduction of N5000 bank note by the Central Bank (CBN) as a clear  invitation to devalue the naira.

He said: “N5000  is a  clear indication of depreciation, a clear devaluation. They failed economically in  this  country. The ruling party should pack their load and go. Nigerians should be wiser.”

The Nation