.... expresses support for President Tinubu's administration
The Olu of Imasayi, Oba Lukman Kuoye, has urged Nigerian politicians to develop alternative careers and businesses to reduce desperation and unhealthy rivalry over political offices.
The monarch said politicians should not see elective or appointive positions as their only means of livelihood, stressing that having what he described as a “second address” would make political actors less desperate for power.
Oba Kuoye spoke on Tuesday at his palace in Imasayi, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, during a press conference to mark his fifth coronation anniversary.
The traditional ruler, who is a former Vice Chairman of Ado-Odo Local Government, said he had deliberately declined an opportunity to continue in political office after his tenure and later secured employment with the National Identity Management Commission.
He said his experience had taught him that political office was temporary and that politicians should be prepared for life after leaving office.
“Every politician must have a second address. If you have a second address, you will take it lightly. You will not be fighting, you will not be maligning personalities, you will not be decreasing yourself if you have a second address,” the monarch said.
Oba Kuoye urged politicians to return to their businesses and professions after completing their appointments or elective positions rather than continuously struggling for another political office.
He said, “Politicians should go back to their business after the appointment or end of their elective positions, not that you apply in the office, you struggle to have another one. You must have a second address.”
The monarch also urged political actors to respect the timing of leadership, saying political power should not be pursued by all means.
“I want everyone, the political actors, they must know that it is God that ordains. If it is not their turn today, tomorrow it will be their turn,” he added.
On the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Oba Kuoye expressed support for the Federal Government’s economic reforms, saying the country was gradually moving towards economic recovery.
The monarch said the impact of ongoing road reconstruction and rehabilitation projects could be seen along major routes linking communities in Ogun State and other parts of the country.
He specifically cited the Atan, Agbara, Olorule-Meji and Imeko-Afon axis of the coastal highway as evidence of what he described as infrastructure development under the Tinubu administration.
“Nigeria is better than where it was since Asiwaju Bola Tinubu became president. I want you to take a ride through Atan, Agbara, Olorule-Meji and Imeko-Afon on the coastal highway and follow the line to see what is happening there.
“Tinubu is now reconstructing and rehabilitating roads, and he is putting the Nigerian economy on a prosperous path. It might look like something small to us, but he is bringing the Nigerian economy onto the right path,” he said.
Oba Kuoye, who disclosed that he had previously been involved in politics under the Peoples Democratic Party, said he had admired Tinubu because of his political experience and what he described as his ability to groom other politicians.
The monarch, however, acknowledged that the economic reforms of the present administration might take time to produce widespread benefits, stressing that there was no magic formula for transforming the country within a short period.
He expressed optimism that the economy would improve significantly in the coming years, saying, “I want to tell you, yes, it might be too difficult to get there in four years because there is no magic. But to discover that Tinubu is getting it right in Nigeria, I want to tell you that in the next five years things will turn better.”
On Nigeria’s forthcoming 66th Independence anniversary, the traditional ruler said Nigerians had more reasons to celebrate, citing what he described as reduced political tension, increased economic interest and improved electricity supply.
He said the electricity supply at his palace during the press conference was stable enough for the gathering to continue without the use of a generator.
“Before, people would be saying, do we need to celebrate, and what are we celebrating? But now we have a lot to celebrate. The political tension also comes down. Nigeria is getting interest and we people are really enjoying it,” Oba Kuoye said.
“We have been here almost two, three hours. The light is okay. We are not using generator. It is electricity. It is part of it because the megawatts that is generating electricity for us is increasing,” he added.
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