TheCable

Abiodun Raufu, a former editor of the Nigerian Tribune, says he will contest a seat at the house of representatives in 2023.

Raufu, who is also a former managing director of the National Mirror, disclosed this during a weekly radio show, Parrot Xtra Hour, in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, on Monday.

He said he would contest the legislative seat for Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency in the next election.

He said engaging in active politics will be a form of giving back to the society, adding that men of goodwill need to take over the country’s leadership.

“I want to give back to the society, I could have stayed in my comfort zone and do nothing. But with the way Nigeria is going, all men of goodwill need to come out and do something,” said Raufu who is now an assistant professor in the US.

“We must not allow this country to crash and I need to take a stand that is why I am coming out to contest under the umbrella of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Akinyele/Lagelu constituency in the house of representatives.”

Raufu said Nigeria currently needs new set of honest leaders capable of lifting the people out of poverty.

He also submitted that the problem of Nigeria is beyond corruption as many government agencies have engaged in white elephant projects that are not beneficial to the people at the lowest level.

“Young Nigerians are afraid of venturing into agriculture because the basic amenities are not available to guarantee their success and survival in the venture,” he said.

“I had a farm around Oke-Ogun before I went to the US – most of the roads were just meant for motorcycles. I bought N350,000 worth of cassava stems from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and was transporting them to our farm, I lost more than half of the stems and the distance between the farm and the main road was just about five kilometers.”