A leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, on Saturday warned against politicising the abduction of the Chibok school girls.
He stated this while speaking with journalists at the 80th birthday ceremony of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Adetona, held at Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
Mr. Tinubu also declared his support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval for the international community to help in rescuing the girls from the Boko Haram sect. The former governor called for unity to secure freedom for the girls.
“I will not make political comment today. I will address that issue more comprehensively. It is our nation; we have to talk truth to the powers sometimes. We must first of all put the lives of our people as a priority,” he said.
“The life of every citizen is a priority and you can imagine the agony of the parents.
“We cannot politicise it, we should collaborate and work for those children to be brought back. And now that the international community is ready to help us, hopefully we will be more proactive and pay attention and show that every life is very very crucial,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, President Jonathan who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, John Arogbofa, described the security challenges as one that concerns all Nigerian irrespective of their political or religious affiliation. Mr. Arogbofa said the president had earlier planned to attend the occasion but was constrained by some visitors from outside the country with whom Mr. Jonathan had to share some views on how the security challenges could be resolved.
“I bring a word of tidings from Mr President, I know that Mr President promised to be here by himself today to celebrate your 80th birthday with you; but as you know, and we all know that the nation is facing some challenges today and these are challenges we are all worried about, that concerns every one of us.
“And because of that it has not been possible for Mr. President to come today because there are visitors from outside the country with whom he has to share some views on how this problem can be resolved. I want to plead with all of us that these are challenges that we are all faced with, they are challenges that all of us should and will gather together to resolve. “So, Mr. President, your royal majesty, has requested that I let you know that you’re a big masquerade and he will come to visit you,” he said.
He described the celebrant as someone who has contributed a lot, not only to the Yoruba nation but to the whole country.
“He sent me to let you know that he deeply appreciates all what you have done for this land and indeed for Yorubaland and even beyond.
“You have contributed enormously to the development of government during your service as attested by your son who is the governor of the state. He said I should thank you and he further said I should request that what you have been doing and doing so well, that you should continue to do it,” he said.
The ceremony was witnessed by the governors of Ogun and Bayelsa states, Ibikunle Amosun and Seriake Dickson; former Head of State, Muhammed Buhari; Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina; National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Mu’azu; former Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Masari; Tunde Bakare; the interim national secretary of APC, Lai Muhammed; and former Abuja minister, Nasir El-Rufai.
Others were former governors of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel; former governor of Oyo State, Omololu Olunloyo; President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; the Chairman, First City Monument Bank, Subomi Balogun; and the chairman, Globacom, Mike Adenuga.
Several traditional rulers were also present including the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi; Obi of Onitsha, Nnemeka Achebe; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo; Akarigbo of Remoland, Adeniyi Sonariwo; the Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Kehinde Olugbenle; the Osile of Oke-Ona, Adedapo Tejuoso; Ayangburen of Ikorodu; Safiriyu Oyefusi; and Dagburewe of Idowa, Yinusa Adekoya.