Lagos: 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 spoke with newsmen on leadership, ethnicity, and religion, emphasized the role of the media in spearheading a moral awakening to rebuild a society where integrity, truth, and shared humanity are prioritized.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Oki highlighted how these virtues once defined the South-West and held Nigerian society together. He lamented the erosion of values over time, identifying it as a core reason for the current societal challenges. Oki stressed the need to return to roots, embracing empathy, honesty, and the Omoluabi ethos to create a society that works for all.

He underscored the importance of individual responsibility, particularly among journalists who shape public perception and national discourse. Oki described it as a personal call to duty for journalists to help Nigeria rise again while ensuring government accountability.

Oki also addressed leadership, advocating for merit as the benchmark and affirming that Nigeria has competent individuals across ethnic groups who can lead responsibly. He urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improve its governance and communication with Nigerians, noting the lack of visible impact in rural communities.

Furthermore, Oki called for enhanced road infrastructure in the South-West and urged efforts to combat hunger, poverty, and inflation. On the topic of the 2027 elections, he asserted that President Tinubu deserved a fair chance to seek re-election, advocating for completion of his two terms.

In Lagos politics, Oki dismissed the notion that Labour Party’s candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, could have won the 2023 governorship election if it coincided with the presidential poll. He cited internal polling indicating the APC’s potential loss in the presidential race due to specific grievances.

Oki expressed optimism about electoral reforms, noting efforts by the National Assembly to make rigging nearly impossible in 2027. He highlighted the importance of constitutional backing for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results to ensure that votes truly count.