Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bamanga Tukur, warned Nigerian politicians and parties against indiscipline.

He gave the warning when young and politically inclined Nigerians recently paid him a courtesy visit to interact with him on politics and Africa’s entrepreneurial opportunities.

The elder statesman stated: “What goes around comes around. All parties must embrace democracy and discipline to survive in modern political environment. They must practice election and not selection; democracy not imposition.”

Dr. Tukur, a former Ambassador-at-Large, noted that the country’s Constitution guarantees freedom of association, which allows people to choose where and with whom to associate. He called on all Nigerians to shun ethnicity and religious bigotry but to embrace the mantra of “Yes to Nigeria and No to division”.

On the business front, Dr. Tukur, the pioneer President of African Business Roundtable (ABR), shared his experience from 1959 as a young Nigerian returning from the UK and American educational pursuits to join the national services through the marine industry: From Nigeria’s ports through to joining politics as an independent candidate, forming his Bamanga Tukur Movement which later won election in defunct Gongola State. He said entrepreneurs must be willing to take manageable risks in order to gain the profits.

“Africa and Nigeria has tremendous opportunities for willing partners and they should take the bull of innovation by the horn of successes ahead. All around us especially outside our continent, it is the youthful minds that are changing the face of business, innovation and entrepreneurship,” added Dr. Tukur

Responding, the Chairman of ISAC, Mr. Tunji Adebayo, thanked the elder statesman for his dedication to Africa’s business especially during his Presidency at ABR. “There is a part of all of us willing to participate in building a better nation as well as encouraging government to do what gives our SMEs and businesses the opportunity to challenge global players,” he said.

Dr. Mary Manzo of YES Nigeria added: “We are excited about the discussions and promised to play our part and must ensure that our electorates in Nigeria are enlightened and get educational information about their rights and voting power.”

Those in the delegation included Councillor Sunny Lambe (an elected councillor in London), Charles Oguntoye and Alistair Soyode.

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