Obafemi Giwa-Amu, Frontline Investor Bares His Mind on Nigerias 2023 Presidential Election...Proffers way forward

 A lot has no doubt been said of the Founder and CEO, Zigzag Nation, Mr. Obafemi Giwa-Amu who is regarded globally as a man of many parts

 In this exclusive interview with World Industry Leaders Magazine, on the recently concluded presidential election in Nigeria and proffers few advices . Enjoy the  Excerpts:

1: As Frontline investor...pls tell us your impression of the recently concluded 2023 presidential election?

IT IS AN INCONTROVERTIBLE FACT THAT THE ELECTIONS WERE FLAWED. FROM A TECHNOLOGY POINT IT IS CLEAR THAT WE HAD A MANIPULATED ELECTION WHICH I WOULD CALL A " *S'ELECTION* ". 

THE DELAY IN THE ELECTRONIC TRANSFER OF VALID VOTES WHICH ALLOWED FOR FALSIFIED RESULTS TO BE UPLOADED HAS LED TO A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

PART OF WHAT WOULD BRING IN INVESTMENT TO NIGERIA MUST BE A CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS WHICH SHOWS US TO BE A COUNTRY OF PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW THE RULE OF LAW. 

NOW THE FOCUS WILL BE ON THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. IF THE WORLD SEES THE COURTS ARE ALSO CORRUPTED THEN HOW DO YOU PLAY A GAME OF FOOTBALL WITH NO RULES. A PLACE WHERE THE GOAL POSTS ARE SHIFTED IS NOT A PLACE WHERE YOU GET INVESTORS CONFIDENTLY BRINGING IN THEIR FUNDS

2: A word to the citizens of the Nigeria Nation, in terms of safety, during this election period, as trouble still arise our street today? 

I LIVE IN LAGOS. IT HAS BECOME A BATTLEGROUND AS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WENT IN FAVOUR OF LABOUR PARTY INSTEAD OF THE PARTY THAT HAS RULED FOR THE LAST 24 YEARS. 

SO MANY VOTER INTIMIDATION TACTICS ARE BEING EMPLOYED TO KEEP APC IN POWER 

OBA'S HAVE CALLED FOR SCARY TRADITIONAL TACTICS SO AS TO KEEP THE NON-INDEGENES AWAY FROM VOTING.

,IT WOULD SEEM THAT THUGS ARE BEING USED TO HARASS VOTERS FROM VOTING FOR THEIR CHOICE.

MOST PEOPLE HAVE STAYED HOME THIS TIME, SO AS TO BE SAFE. 

IT WAS EVEN NOTICED THAT IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE A YORUBA NAME YOUR VOTERS CARD WOULD NOT BE ISSUED. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS HAS THREATS AND VIOLENCE AROUND IT.

I AM ONE TO INSIST THAT VOTES MATTER BUT WITH THIS VIOLENCE IN PLACE ONE IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PROCESS.

I WOULD THEREFORE ADVICE FOR REAL CARE IN PERSONAL SECURITY AS VIOLENCE HAS MARRED THE PROCESS IN LAGOS.

3: We have seen money disappear like magic, from banks over the past month or so..the community being rationed on their own funds, what is your take on this ?

I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE REDESIGNING OF OUR CURRENCY WHICH SAW A SCARCITY OF CASH IN THE SOCIETY FOR THE ELECTIONS IN THE SENSE THAT POVERTY MAKES ONE VOTE FOR MONEY. THIS HAS BEEN ERADICATED. 

HOWEVER, THE ECONOMY HAS BEEN BATTERED IF NOT KILLED. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE BANK ACCOUNTS. WE HAVE 44 MILLION ACTIVE ACCOUNTS IN THE BANKING SECTOR FOR 200 MILLION PEOPLE. SO MOST BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED OUTSIDE THE BANKING INDUSTRY. THE ECONOMY IS THEREFORE BATTERED. 

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER TO HAVE STRENGTHENED THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND GIVEN PEOPLE WHO HAD STASHED MONEY OUTSIDE TO BRING THE FUNDS IN. THEY WOULD BE LEGALLY CHARGED 40% IF THEY COULD NOT SHOW A LEGITIMATE SOURCE OF FUNDS.

SECONDLY, THE INSTITUTIONS WOULD TAKE NOTE THE MASSIVE FUNDS BEING BROUGHT IN AND CAN NOW MONITOR HOW IT IS BEING MOVED AROUND. THAT WAY NIGERIA WOULD NOW HAVE A BETTER FINANCIAL SYSTEM.

THIS WOULD HAVE ENCOURAGED NIGERIA MOVE TO A CASHLESS SOCIETY YET ALSO WE WOULD ALSO NOT HAVE STIFFLED THE ECONOMY.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO WAKE AN ECONOMY THAT HAS BEEN STRANGULATED. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED WITH A MISMANAGED METHOD TO CHECK MONEY POLIOoooTICS. 

4: How do you see the future of Nigeria?

I AM A FERVENT BELIEVER THAT NIGERIA MUST SURVIVE AND BECOME STRONGER DESPITE ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED. 

BIRTHING ANEW IS A DIFFICULT PROCESS. A NEW NIGERIA IS COMING OUT OF THIS PROCESS WHETHER BY DESIGN OR MISTAKE. THE ELECTORAL PROCESS WILL BE LOOKED INTO NOW AND EXPOSED FOR THE FAULTS. IT MEANS THAT IT WOULD BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO CHEAT THE PEOPLE OF THEIR VOTES.

WE HAVE BEEN WEAND OFF VOTE BUYING FOR PEANUTS.

OUR ECONOMY IS VERY ROBUST AND ELASTIC. 

WE STILL HAVE THE BEST RESOURCE IN AFRICA WITH OUR POPULATION.

THEREFORE, WE WILL COME OUT STRONGER AND BETTER. 

THE NIGERIA OF MY DREAMS IS BEING BIRTHED NOW. WE WILL HAVE A GREAT COUNTRY YET.

Laslty, After this elections, where would you like to see Nigeria? 

what are the steps you feel the future president of this nation should take, in order to have the Nigeria You envision?!

WE MUST STRENGTHEN ALL OUR INSTITUTIONS AND WE WILL WILL HAVE A GREAT COUNTRY.

THERE MUST BE A STRICT ADHERENCE TO SEPARATION OF POWERS AND THIS IS THE START TO A GREAT COUNTRY.

I ADMIRE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHERE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN LOOK INTO THE ACTIONS OF HIS PRESIDENT TO SEE WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN AN INFRACTION OF THE LAWS OF THE LAND.

A COUNTRY WHERE THE RULE OF LAW PREVAILS IS A COUNTRY WHERE YOU WILL HAVE GROWTH.

© World Industry Leaders Magazine

E: chiefcerrutti@gmail.com

WhatsApp ✋+234 7042631895

S: www.worldindustryleaders.com

~ All Rights Reserved