By Zika Bobby
Murktar Larabu is a major stakeholder of ‘The Coalition,’ an alliance for the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition. He is the director in charge of Conflict and Resolutions of the Nigerian Mandate Union, (NMU), a group currently routing for Tinubu/Shettima presidency in conjuction with the Annmom Foundation for Mothers Welfare, AFMW. In this interview, Larabu bears his mind on those factors that are in favour of the APC Presidential hopeful, the surmountable obstacles and sundry issues.
Why Tinubu?
Nigerians crave a man with excellent history of performance both in the past and present. It is Asiwaju because Nigerians of all walks of life desire him. He is the most sought presidential candidate in Africa. It is Tinubu because Nigerians want him to replicate his success in Lagos at the national level. Yes, it’s Tinubu because he has paid his dues in the Nigerian project and deserving of the overwhelming mandate of the Nigerian people come February 2023.
The Coalition?
The coalition is a brainchild of like minds both at home and abroad who found it expedient to add value to the process of enthroning Tinubu’s Presidency and for this singular reason; we are all out to achieve it. In the bowel of the coalition are: Annmom Foundation for Mothers Welfare, AFMW and the Nigerian Mandate Union, NMU; we came together as stakeholders in the Asiwaju/Shettima project to grow Nigeria and build a virile nation.
Who are your members?
Every Nigerian holder of the PVC is our member. Our members cut across all social divides and we are doing our best to ensure an overwhelming victory for our presidential hopeful at the polls.
How do you intend achieving your desire amidst growing opposition?
Democracy is a game of contest among conflicting interests called opposition and in this case, I would categorically tell you that Tinubu and Shettima have no rival in the contest for 2023 presidential elections. The opposition elements are only adding beauty and glamour to our democratic process and they know it. Therefore, ours is to harvest and win Nigerians to the APC. We have a lot to catapult the APC into Aso Villa through the ballot. We shall campaign in the streets of Nigeria, talk to Nigerians in the language they understand, win their hearts and ensure that our party wins. We are set to launch operation “deliver your polling unit” to the APC across board. Our members have the mandate to win their polling units at the election and this shall be deep-rooted in grassroots mobilisation and campaigns.
But there’s this fear over Tinubu’s health, what’s your take on this?
Those expressing fears are only being untruthful to themselves. What are their health status? How healthy are they? Remember that most of the people who mocked President Muhammadu Buhari, over his health are 6 feet below as we speak. Only reactionary elements are afraid of Asiwaju. Their fear is that he will demystify the opposition at the polls, perform in office more than they; the opposition can imagine, thereby exterminating the so called PDP from the psyche of the Nigerian people permanently.
Are you saying Tinubu is PDP’s death knell?
Exactly! Asiwaju and Shettima will in 2023 send PDP to retirement. I am saying this because I am in the know of how much efforts we are making to mandate APC to rule on. Forget about social media noise, the APC shall conveniently win the 2023 election and the insurrections of the wicked shall be defeated. With the support of our large followers across the 36 states of the federation including Abuja, Asiwaju shall be sworn-in on May 29, 2023 as the new President.
You mentioned Mothers’ Welfare. What’s that?
Annmom Foundation is the Welfare arm of the Coaliton and that’s the body that ensure better life for Mothers and children in Nigeria and beyond. The group identifies the needy Nigerians and immediately take over their welfare, be it anything including migrating mothers from their poor state of wants to economic state of surplus. As far as we are concerned, no Nigerian should feed less than thrice a day and this is what AFMW represents. The priorities here are mother and children while NMU is the political segment of the coalition. We work in synergy to achieve our aims and objectives. Like I said earlier, all PVC carrying Nigerians are our members and our doors are open for all and sundry as long as you believe in our dream.
Muslim- Muslim ticket, to you as a Christian, how does it sound?
I am very comfortable with what you called Muslim-Muslim ticket. 2023 is a decisive year to kill religion in our body politics. For instance, I worship my faith and not religion so, I don’t know a Muslim different from a Christian as long as we are all human beings and Nigerians worshipping same God in our different ways. We won’t allow religious merchants divide our country with their selfish interests. Every contestant wants to win election and one can only work with a winning partner and not serial losers. APC decided to go for victory and not sentiments neither does the party pander to emotions. Emotions don’t win election but numbers do. As long as APC candidates are Nigerians and not Cameroonians, we shall be their pillars of victory.