Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi, Convener of the Apostolic Round Table (ART) and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Project Victory Call Initiative (PVC Naija), shares his views in this exclusive interview with EJIKEME OMENAZU on the Anambra governorship race, Nigeria’s economic direction, political realignments, and more. Below are excerpts:
Anambra Governorship: A Secret Alliance at Play?
Dr. Akinyemi suggested that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu was more than ceremonial.
“That meeting was a coded signal of a secret alliance between Soludo’s party and Tinubu’s APC,” he revealed.
According to him, the fruits of that political marriage are likely to be decisive in the upcoming Anambra polls. “Take it to the bank, the product of that alliance will either win or be made to win,” he said, citing how the political tide shifted in Edo State as precedent.
When asked about the IMF’s role in Nigeria’s economic trajectory, Dr. Akinyemi was critical.
“IMF and World Bank are not profit-oriented institutions, they serve certain global interests,” he stated, emphasizing the need for Africa to embrace indigenous economic systems.
He praised Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, as a model for African leadership, contrasting it with Nigeria’s reliance on Western economic prescriptions.
“Compare citizens’ living conditions in Burkina Faso with Nigeria’s, and ask yourself which economy is truly working.”
Is Tinubu’s Administration Economically Prudent?
Dr. Akinyemi was blunt in his assessment.
“Look at the priority of this administration, fleet upgrades for officials while children are out of school and hunger is rampant,” he lamented.
He compared the leadership to a father who buys designer clothes but can’t feed his children. “Has hunger diminished? Have out-of-school children reduced? Those are the real indicators.”
Reacting to the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a life insurance policy for the President and Vice President, he expressed dismay.
“It’s troubling that those risking their lives daily, like our troops, are overlooked while the most protected officials get life insurance,” he said.
He also questioned the legitimacy of the FEC’s decision, noting that most members are presidential appointees.
“It would’ve been more honest to say Tinubu and Shettima approved life insurance for themselves.”
Are We Heading Toward a One-Party State?
Dr. Akinyemi referenced former President Jonathan’s remarks on one-party dominance.
“A one-party system isn’t necessarily evil, but it must address national unity, not just electoral victory,” he stated.
He warned that current moves toward one-party dominance ignore the foundational problems plaguing the country.
Can PDP Rise Again?
Dr. Akinyemi was skeptical about PDP’s chances in 2027.
“Wike still controls the party’s National Secretariat. PDP’s fate lies between him and Atiku,” he said, suggesting internal conflicts may stifle its potential comeback.
Is APC Ready for 2027 Opposition?
According to him, APC should not underestimate the Gen Z-driven political movement.
“The Obidients were not just volunteers—they were the backbone of Obi’s votes,” he noted.
He argued that if PDP zones its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, with strategic balancing in other roles, they could challenge APC’s dominance.
“It’s the best time to make APC pay for disrupting the peace formula established during Obasanjo’s era.”
Labour Party’s Future Tied to Obi’s Leadership
Dr. Akinyemi credited Peter Obi for transforming Labour Party’s status.
“Obi and Otti can win as independents if electoral reforms permit,” he asserted, blaming internal sabotage and APC propaganda for the party’s current crisis.
He condemned LP leaders for mocking working-class Nigerians.
“What’s wrong with Abure riding Okada? Labour leaders should respect the hustle that built their voter base.”
He decried the killings in the Middle Belt, blaming a criminal syndicate entrenched across sectors.
“Former President Jonathan admitted his government was infiltrated. Today’s military seems to live at the mercy of terrorists,” he warned.
Dr. Akinyemi praised Tinubu’s reframing of the crisis as “underlying communal issues” but urged deeper investigation.
“If Nigeria won’t learn from Burkina Faso, let’s at least follow Ghana’s example in addressing criminality decisively.”
Lagos Council Polls: Legal or Not, the Result is Predictable
On the planned local council elections in Lagos, Dr. Akinyemi predicted a clean sweep.
“It will be another 57/57 victory. The illegality argument over LCDAs is dead, thanks to a Supreme Court ruling,” he said.
However, he expected Tinubu to have used his influence to regularize the 37 LCDAs nationally, just as he reintroduced the old national anthem.
