Veteran politician and elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, believes Nigeria has come a long way since gaining independence, arguing that the nation is in a far better position today than it was before 1960.
Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, the 99-year-old said his continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s government is rooted in his confidence in the administration’s reform-driven agenda.
“In my opinion, so far so good, I believe that by and large, people will agree with me that he has achieved quite a lot within the time he has been leading the country,” Yakasai said.
Responding to why many Nigerians still reminisce about the past with longing, Yakasai explained that only those who experienced colonial rule firsthand can truly appreciate how much progress the nation has made.
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“The Nigeria of today is far better than the Nigeria of the pre-independence era. If anyone says we haven’t done well, maybe they don’t know what life was like before or what it is now,” he said.
He pointed to self-governance as one of the country’s most significant milestones, emphasizing that Nigeria’s destiny is no longer dictated by foreign powers.
“Before independence, the entire administration of Nigeria was in the hands of the British. Today, no important position in government is held by a foreigner. Everything is managed by Nigerians, and they are doing their best,” he said.
Yakasai also praised the country’s evolving electoral process, noting that while it may not be perfect, it has created space for accountability and political change.
“We have been having election after election. Those who perform well remain, and those who fail are replaced. So, I think we are making tremendous progress,” he added.
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Image Credit: Vanguard
