Elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, had taken a look at the February 25 presidential election, concluding that a moneybags would emerge winner.
Babalola said at a media briefing in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday that the 2023 general elections would be conducted under the 1999 constitution against his advice, warning that the poll would only reproduce those who had brought Nigeria to a sordid state.
Read him: “It is not who can make a difference that will win this election, I repeat, it is not the person who has all it takes – age, health, education, and patriotism, that will win the election; the winner of this election I can bet it, is going to be the person who has made money in this country.
“It is the person who has the money that will win.”
The elder statesman noted that only a moneybags; and not the best-qualified candidates could win the February presidential election under the present constitutional arrangement.
He explained that the adoption of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo was his (Obasanjo’s) right to do.
He said it was his right of expression and that it might be a result of the contestant’s acclaimed untainted records of character and sound education.
He stressed that the 1999 Constitution was too lopsided and faulty to produce the type of change agent and development leader Obasanjo had in mind.
He added that the 1999 Constitution was not what Nigeria needed at a time like this.
“I am an elder statesman, a SAN, the highest taxpayer in old Ondo State, the highest taxpayer in present Ekiti, owner of the best private university in Nigeria and many more.
“If I contest for political office today, I will fail, not because I am not qualified, but because the system will make me not to win.
“I have no sympathy for any Nigerian aspiring to rule Nigeria in any form, whether as a legislator, governor or president.
“The fact remains that the 1999 Constitution on a large scale is the root cause of economic, social, political and religious problems in the country today.
“Our experience since 1999 has taught us that we are in urgent need of a new Constitution.
“The new Constitution should provide for stringent conditions in respect of age, academic qualifications, character and personality, as well as family background of candidates, especially for the presidency and the National Assembly,’’ Babalola said.
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