Ayodele Olalere
Dr. Yemi Farounbi, a former Ambassador of Nigerian to the Philippines and veteran broadcaster has said that Nigerians deserve the harsh economic condition and insecurity they are experiencing under President Muhammadu Buhari.
While featuring on a live weekly radio show ‘Ayekooto on radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola on Splash 105.5FM, Felele Ibadan, Oyo State, Farounbi said prior to the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Nigerians were warned against voting him as president because of his past bad record as military head of states, but they ignored such warnings and went ahead to vote for him.
He described what is happening now as a divine punishment for Nigerians for failure to heed the warnings, saying Buhari has turned out to become ‘Nigeria’s punishment’.
READ ALSO: http://Muslim/Muslim ticket debate unnecessary, misplaced priority – Fulani monarch insists
“In 2014/2015, when we were campaigning, when Nigerians decided to accept the campaign of ‘once chance’, they were warned of the past history of Muhammadu Buhari and how he imprisoned many politicians including Chief Obafemi Awolowo. God is a wonderful being, he decided to use Buhari to punish Nigerians for their evil deeds and Nigerians deserve these punishments,” he said.
He, however, expressed optimism Nigeria would overcome its challenges.
“Nigeria is not what I thought it would be, I have incurable optimism that Nigeria will still be better. Those who are enjoying proceeds of bribery, corruption, epileptic power supply, insecurity among other vices are not looking forward to seeing a better Nigeria.”
Dr. Farounbi further said that the threats from bandits against President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state portend great danger for the country’s unity.
“The acts of the bandits have shown that they really mean business. They recently ambushed officers from the Brigade of Guards in Abuja and this is an absolute insult and injury to the sovereignty of the country and whenever I hear this, I feel ashamed of our country.
READ ALSO: http://Why Gov. Makinde snubs Atiku – Sources
Narrating his experience while serving as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Philippines, he said Nigeria’s used to be respected by other countries because of their performances when on international assignments but lamented they could not repeat such at home.
“I was once an ambassador to the Philippines and whenever I had the opportunity of visiting Cambodia, I was treated with great honour like a saviour. One day, I asked the King of Cambodia why I was accorded that honour and he replied that when Cambodia had a problem of insurrection, it was Nigerian policemen that were drafted to quench the mutiny and restore order.
“Now we are being threatened by terrorists in our country and our soldiers are almost incapacitated. The Nigerian soldiers went to Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Congo to restore peace but now they cannot effectively defend the territorial integrity of their country.”
On the 2023 elections, Dr. Farounbi said that there is no difference in the ideologies of the two frontline political parties ,APC and PDP, revealing that the two major parties are only recycling politicians who have little or nothing to offer the country while citizens of the country are nonchalant towards their rights.
He lambasted the All Progressives Congress (APC) for fielding a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket stating that such acts could further put the unity of the country in jeopardy.
“Instead of focusing all our attention on Muslim-Muslim tickets, we should focus more on the two fundamental issues affecting Nigeria, hunger and insecurity”.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the country into six geographical zones stating that such an act will help to strengthen the country’s economy and political space.
Speaking on the agitation for a Yoruba nation, he said such is not achievable, and urged Nigerians to love one another while politicians should be prudent with the management of public funds.
