Veteran comedian, Okey Bakassi, has expressed his concerns about the current state of Nigeria’s economy under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
In a recent interview monitored by R, Bakassi shared his views on the country’s human capital development, stating that “it has been a downward trend for human capital development since that time. There are more reasons to protest than before, but the experts in protest are the people now in power and the people who understand it.”
Reacting to the nationwide protests frowned on by the government, Bakassi noted that “I participated in some of the protests they organised, like the one we occupied Ojota to resist fuel subsidy removal during the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan, which they came now and removed.
“First, they said it’s gone, they removed it, now we are hearing it’s partially removed, we don’t even know which one it is, whether it’s gone or it’s not gone, so that is how confused we are now.”
Bakassi also addressed the recent general election that produced President Tinubu, describing it as the “worst” Nigeria has seen.
He compared the election results to a football match where the scoreboard is altered, awarding goals to the opposing team.
“It’s just like being in a football match when you are playing a match and scored, then bring out the scoreboard, award the goal you scored to the opponent. These are the things happening in Nigeria now.”
On the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, a separatist leader, Bakassi warned against further protests, citing the potential risks and consequences.
“People who hold him still hold him, and nobody did anything, so you want Peter Obi to come out and lead protest, they will hold him, and more people will die again for South East over nothing.”
Bakassi also shared his thoughts on Obi, a former presidential candidate, and his ability to lead protests.
Bakassi criticized Kenneth, a colleague and actor, for his comments about Peter Obi’s capacity to lead. “Kenneth has not won any election in Nigeria…Peter has proved himself, and he has nothing to prove to Kenneth.”
“So I don’t know what Kenneth Okonkwo is driving at, so for me, I don’t know what Kenneth is trying to achieve. Peter has won election twice, he was two-term governor of Anambra state. He has survived trials and tribulations through his electoral process. He has proved himself as a fighter, a people mobilizer, as a person with integrity, as a person you can say I can stand behind you whether there’s money or not.”
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