2023 general elections, Nigerians need competence, capacity, not religious sentiment – Senator Adefuye

Senator Anthony Adefuye a staunch member of the Lagos Governor Advisory Council (GAC) and also a quite close ally of Governor of the state Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that having good governance is the most germane thing, even as the nation draws closer to 2023 general elections.

Senator Adefuye made the assertion during his 78th birthday celebration held in his Lagos residence.

Elated about the fact that he could weather the storm of life to attain the new age, the elder statesman touched on the need for Nigeria and Nigerians to jettison religious sentiments and galvanize a united country skewed towards development in all ramifications.

According to him primordial sentiments will bring the nation no good. He further counseled that the next political dispensation should be hinged on issues of development rather than fanning the embers of discord through religious sensibilities, that really do not matter compared to possession of required capacity and competence to deliver the much desired goods.

Senator Adefuye said that,” Really it doesn’t matter whether they are Christians of Muslims, take for example presently l Mohammadu Buhari as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria a great devout Muslim for that matter and we have Osinbajo as his vice, a great Christian and a Pastor.

Now if look at it do you think there would have been any difference if Osinbajo was a Muslim? Or do you think there would have been a difference if the President were to be a Christian? No I don’t think so.

I think neither did the Muslim or Christian benefited because the Vice President is a Christian or because the President is a Muslim.

So I will say that it doesn’t matter, in fact pairing, this is the first time all over the world that that one has occurred.

Even in the Muslim dominated countries they don’t care whether Muslim/Muslim or Christian/Christian, even in Israel where they have a lot Jews and what have you, you will never see religious pairings,so I will advise that let us vote a good people,who will give us good government.

“Asiwaju has picked his vice Shettima and we all know these are great people who will deliver the dividends of democracy.

“I think don’t let us bother ourselves whether Muslim/Muslim or Christian/Christian, in fact Asiwaju’s wife is a Christian and also a pastor so if you marry that, you will see that it doesn’t matter what we want is that we have good government.” Senator Adefuye affirmed.

Senator Adefuye also cited with much nostalgia the fond memories of his convocation day when he got his certificate handed over to him by the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was then a visitor to Unilag, he said he held on tight his hand, while shaking him with both hands so much so that Chief Awolowo asked him why that? “ I told with all honesty sir if not for you, I would not have had the privilege.

Commenting on the fact that his Septuagenarian club progression to a ripe age 78, Senator Adefuye noted that at this stage of life his fervent prayers is for longevity without pains.

He cited the fact that many who had cause to go through a major surgery like him, could not make it but all thanks to God he made it without pains and that remains the reason for his celebration which were in parts, starting with some lined up programmes during the week and which culminated with the Church service and the grand celebration at his residence.

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Senator Adefuye said,” My Children were like what happened Daddy many people who do this kind of operation end up becoming lame after the operation but you were getting well, I said it is all God and prayers of good people like you who wanted me back.

“There are some bad ones who went tampering with my properties, we have every reasons to thank God. Being 78 is not easy and 80 is a very difficult year to achieve.

“I remember when one of my lecturers in the University Senator Okunrounmu was to be 80 I marveled looking at how very strong and agile he is and felt will I be 80,let it be pain free and when it is God’s time let me just sleep and not wake up because there is no use living in pain, it is the most difficult thing.

“When you are in pain you can’t sleep, people avoid you, they are afraid that you might even die before the next morning, they don’t want to sleep with a corpse. So one has to praise God for whatever the Lord has done”.