Veteran actor, Alhaji Kareem
Adepoju, popularly known as Baba
Wande, speaks with JESUSEGUN
ALAGBE on the last presidential
election


What does the presidential
election tell you about the future
of Nigerian politics?

I have been voting in Nigeria for
years, but I had never seen any that
matched the last presidential
election. The whole thing just came
and went peacefully, at least to a
great extent. Many people were
expecting crises, but there was
none. We give glory to God for
allowing peace to reign in the
country. If we continue our elections
like this, it means the future of
Nigerian politics is bright as it will
cease to be a do-or-die affair.


Were you able to vote?

Yes, I did. I voted at a polling unit in
Owode, Osogbo – close to where I
live. I couldn’t have disenfranchised
myself by not performing my civic
responsibility.


What advice do you have for the
President-elect?

As we all know that General
Muhammadu Buhari is a man of
integrity and has discipline, he
should get to work immediately and
apply his experience to change the
situation of things in Nigeria. All
those that he promised he would do
for us, he should deliver them
without wasting time. And he should
also select people that will help him
achieve his goals and desires for the
country. Also, he should continue
being a man of integrity as we
believe he will not disappoint us. I
pray God will guide him to lead us
well.


President Goodluck Jonathan is
known to have shown support for
the film industry in Nigeria. What
do you expect from General
Buhari?

Even though I have not seen any
money they said President Jonathan
gave us, yet Maj. General Buhari too
should continue to support the film
industry so that we can soar to
greater heights. If you look at it very
well, Nollywood is one of the most
patronised in the world and it has
generated lots of employment
opportunities for many people.
Buhari should also lend his support
to us and grow it further than where
President Jonathan is stopping.


What counsel do you have for the
new opposition – the Peoples
Democratic Party?

President Jonathan has set a good
example for them to follow. I like
the way he just let it go without
sponsoring some people to foment
trouble. It shows how great a man
he is and I respect him for that.
Many were thinking prior to the
election that if either of the major
presidential candidates lost, there
would be trouble and Nigeria would
boil. But see how President
Jonathan just doused the tension.
Even those who would have taken
up arms to defend him were
surprised. So, now that the
President has shown he is a
peaceful man, the PDP too should
allow peace to reign. It’s by peace
that Nigeria can achieve its
potential. Whatever part they want
to play in this new dispensation, let
them play it peacefully.


There’s no governorship election
in Osun State this Saturday, so are
you still going to vote?

The State of House Assembly
election is equally important and
not to be overlooked. Therefore, as a
good Nigerian, I will vote again. I
implore every other Nigerian to do
that peacefully when Saturday
comes.


Source: www.punchng.com/election-watch/i-respect-jonathan-for-putting-nigeria-first-baba-wande/