Elder statesman and Second Republic Presidential Liaison Officer, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who turns 100 in December 2025, speaks about the secret to his longevity, Nigeria at 65, 2027 elections and other issues of national development.

Q:You will be clocking 100 years on December 5, 2025. How do you feel and what will you say is the secret of your longevity?

A:I am grateful to Almighty God for making it possible for me to live this long without any permanent or serious ailment throughout my life. All the health challenges I’ve had have been temporary. Very few of my mates have been lucky to live as long as I have and in good health. I am really grateful to God who has made this possible not only that, he has also blessed us with children and grandchildren. My children are now 19 they were 23 altogether, four died. My grand-children are 60-something and they are all alive. I really thank God.

Q: Are there any secrets or tips about longevity you wish to share

A:Not at all. It has been purely by God’s grace. My father died at over 100, in fact, about 105 years old or more, I can’t remember. My mother died at the age of over 90. They both enjoyed steady health. They had no serious challenge to their health except for minor headaches and things like that. It is all the work of God Almighty.

Q: Nigeria will be 65 years as an independent nation next week. How has Nigeria fared since independence

A:We have made steady progress. Since the military intervened in our political life as a nation beginning from the First Republic in the 1960s, this is the first time we are having uninterrupted democratic rule for this long period of time. I think it is a great experience for our country which has suffered for decades under military rule, on and off. I pray that this will continue forever so that those given the opportunity to preside over our affairs at all levels will provide the needed leadership to bring progress, development and prosperity to our country. Apart from the unfortunate civil war (1966-1970), we have made steady progress. The fact that we have remained as a single nation is worthy of celebration.

Q:Have we realised the vision of our founding fathers
A:I will again say, so far so good. The first and only attempt at dividing us as a nation failed. And I believe never again will any part of this great country take up arms to try and forcibly divide Nigeria. The rest of the country came together and resisted the secession of our brothers from another part. It serves as a lesson to any would-be secessionist.

Q:Some commentators have called for a return to regionalism. Is this what we need
A:As you are aware, I am almost 100 years old. I was born on December 5, 1925. I know what is possible and what is not. I don’t think regional government is possible again in Nigeria. We tried it in the past and we all know how it ended. The country has moved on since then so we can’t go back. How many people genuinely are canvassing for a return to the past in this area (North)? We must move with the times progressively. It is part of development.

Q:Some have argued that our current democratic system is not working. Do you agree
A:No. Democracy is working for Nigeria. Yes, there are challenges no doubt but which human system is perfect? Let us consider the number of years it has been operating in Nigeria. I don’t agree with people who think otherwise. The democratic system has come to be accepted worldwide because of its participatory nature. The people who are being governed are given the opportunity to elect those who govern them. As such, if there are areas that require fine-tuning we should fine-tune such areas. That is why we have issues like electoral reforms being talked about and implemented from time to time. The Americans who have been practicing democracy for over 200 years are still adjusting.

Q: Can the North ever speak with one voice over politics
A: It is not possible. We are more than half of the entire population of Nigeria. You can’t put this number of people together and think they will think alike. There will be differences, it is in human nature. Children and their parents differ in opinions on issues. I don’t see this as something new. We have been experiencing it for a long time and we will overcome it.

* Full interview in The Vanguard