By Mumini AbdulKareem and Sulyman Jimoh
A close associate of the late politician and billionaire business mogul, Chief Harry Akande has described him as another version of the former Prime Minister of the Western Region, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo who Nigeria never had as president.
Alhaji Surajudeen Seriki made this remark while speaking with National Pilot during an exclusive interview at its corporate headquarters along Asa-Dam, road, Ilorin weekend.
Late Akande died in Lagos at the age of 77 after a brief illness according to a statement issued by his son, Olumide Akande.
But Seriki who was one-time keynote speaker for Akande presidential bid in Houston, Chicago and Dallas said the late politician had good plans for Nigeria adding that “but the system will not let his likes get there because we are not ready for such kind of people.
“He was just like late chief Awolowo with his plans which I am exposed to because of my closeness to him. They want people that can lie to them, that can give bribe and cut corners to shortchange the system, things he was not ready to do.
“He was very close to President Buhari and had stepped down for Buhari about three times in the past until he left ANPP for PDP because he could no longer cope with what they were doing in ANPP. That is why he went to PDP before ANPP later merged with APC,” he noted.
According to Seriki, Akande’s absence from politics recently was not out of interest but “he’s been following what is going on although not actively involved.
Seriki who said it was his son, who broke the news to him from the US, added that his last encounter with Akande was when he visited Nigeria recently said they spoke on phone three months ago.
“He believed so much in Nigeria and loves the country. He was of the opinion that we can do better than we are today. Given the opportunity, people like him can do something and contribute a lot to the development of the country. He had very good feeling about Nigeria that it will get better, that was the hope he was nursing.
On his battle with Shoprite, Seriki said late Akande told him that he was supposed to be the one to bring them to Nigeria but for some reason, that didn’t materialise and he won the case in court. He noted that he had unsettled scores with former President Obasanjo over the issue.
He said what he will miss most about him was that, “Late Akande was very smart and very intelligent and a very good listener.
Further describing the shocking incident, Seriki who is the pioneer chairman of the Muslim Community in Houston said “I called him three days ago but I didn’t get him on the phone. I called the wife too but she didn’t pick up the phone. Then I called the PA who came to see me in Lagos. I told him I have been calling chief since without response. He told me Chief Akande is a little bit under the weather, that was the language he used and that was why he said he didn’t want to see any visitor.
He said when he gets better, I can now come and visit and I said ok. I didn’t know that it is something that is this bad. Then I called the PA on Saturday morning again when I heard the news of his death and he said yes that after he left him, he later realised his condition had worsened and they came to the hospital. In fact, as I was talking to him, he said they’re on their way to go and retrieve the body from the hospital.
Seriki said despite some of his uncompleted hotels and other gigantic hospitality projects and investments which failed to materialise, late Akande never talked about his regrets.
“He knows people a lot like the celebrated Oprah Winfred and has met many people including African head of states and was very rich with lots of Rolls Royce and private jet,” he added.
