By Banji Ayoola
A former Secretary to the Federal Government and ex-Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, on Saturday said that Nigeria needs a President who is chosen only by Divine guidance to successfully govern Nigeria from next year in view of the overwhelming problems confronting the nation.
Besides, he said that for the country to continue to have a united future, the Report of the 2014 Sovereign National Conference, which he described as Nigeria’s future, must be implemented.
He spoke in an interview in Akure, the Ondo State capital after the installation of 11 new church chiefs by the Anglican Archbishop of Ondo Province and Akure Diocesan Bishop, Most Revd Simeon Borokini.
Falae said that the incoming President after the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari vacates office next year would face an uphill task in getting money to run government since the outgoing administration said that 92 percent of the nation’s future revenue would be used to service debts.
Following are the exchanges between reporters and the elder-statesman:
Could you set an agenda for the next President of Nigeria?
“That agenda is for him to find a way of running the government because this government by its own announcement, has said that 92 percent of the future revenue would be used to service debt. The question there is: Where would the new government find money to run Nigeria?”
Who do you think could best implement the policies that would favour Nigerians?
“The President that would be chosen by God Almighty Himself, not by any of us.”
What of the implementation of the 2014 National Conference Report?
“If Nigeria must continue to have a united future, the Report of the National Conference 2014 is that future because every recommendation of the over 600 recommendations in that Report was taken by consensus.
“Anything that is not by consensus cannot be the basis for running Nigeria. So that Report is the future of Nigeria by God’s grace.”
Are we looking towards that Report at all with the way things stand now?
“I am saying to you that whether you like it or not, whether I like it or not, whether the present President, or of the future likes it or not, if Nigeria must have a united future, that is the condition, that Report is the future.”
What about the calls for restructuring…?
“Everything is embedded in that Report. All of us at that Confab numbering about 500 made over 600 recommendations by consensus. Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, young and old, male and female, every aspect of the Nigerian community were there.”
This programme you’ve just attended, what’s your advice to the new chiefs of this church?
“It’s to continue to serve the Lord because we are here to serve Him; and as the preacher said, we must be Heaven conscious every minute of the day.
“That is the solution to Nigeria’s problems. It is only a government chosen by God that can run Nigeria. The problems are so overwhelming that I don’t see anybody chosen by man succeeding in running the country except God Himself chooses a government for us.”
Are those contesting considering these recommendations?
“I am advising all contestants to go and study the 2014 Confab Report. Whoever wants to rule Nigeria should go and read the Report because there is no other report that can replace it.
“All of us at that conference approved the report. There was nothing like a single person sitting in the corners of his room to write a report for all to endorse.”
As the presidential campaign kicks off, what is your advice specifically to Nigerians?
“My advice is for every contestant to go and read, understand and digest the report of the 2014 Constitutional Conference. That would be the beginning of wisdom.”
