By Adeyemi Adeleye
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Fouad Oki, has called for a return to traditional African values of empathy, honesty and hard work.
Oki, who made this call while speaking with newsmen on leadership, ethnicity, and religion on Thursday in Lagos, said the media must spearhead a new moral awakening to rebuild a society where integrity, truth, and shared humanity matter again.
He said that these virtues once defined the South-West and held Nigerian society together.
“Our values have eroded over time, and that’s why we are where we are today.
We must go back to the roots, to empathy, honesty, and the Omoluabi ethos, if we want a society that works for everyone,” Oki said.
He noted that the conversation on national redemption must begin with individuals, especially journalists who shape public perception and national discourse.
“Every journalist must see this as a personal call to duty, a patriotic responsibility to help Nigeria rise again while holding government accountable,” he added.
Oki said it was time to “salvage what is left of the Nigerian society and rebuild for tomorrow, for generations who can no longer japa because of age or circumstance.”
On leadership, he stressed that merit must remain the benchmark, noting that “Nigeria has competent people in every ethnic group who can lead responsibly and represent both their people and the country with honour.”
On governance, Oki urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improve both its delivery and its communication with Nigerians.
He said, “The optics are not encouraging. People in rural communities, who do not rely on traditional media, are not seeing or feeling the impact of government.
Communication must change, and feedback must be honest and consistent.”
Oki, who called for improved road infrastructure in the South-West, said that development must be felt, not just announced.
He urged the President to redouble efforts toward fighting hunger, poverty, inflation, and other challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.
On the 2027 elections, Oki maintained that President Tinubu deserved a fair chance to seek re-election, just like any other aspirant.
He said that it was fair to allow Tinubu to complete his two terms.
Addressing Lagos politics, Oki dismissed suggestions that Labour Party’s candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, could have won the 2023 governorship election if it had coincided with the presidential poll.
“Our internal polling before the election already showed the APC would lose the presidential race in Lagos due to anger over the same-faith ticket and poor grassroots engagement. Those issues haven’t fully gone away, and we must fix them,” he said.
On electoral reforms, Oki said he was optimistic that ongoing efforts by the National Assembly would make rigging nearly impossible in 2027.
“If Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results are fully backed by the Constitution, then the people’s votes will truly count,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
