79-Year-Old Tam David-West Explains Why He Won’t Reject Buhari’s Ministerial Appointment

Professor of Virology, Tam David-West, has said he would not reject an offer of a ministerial appointment as Minister of Petroleum from the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

David-West, who was recently mentioned as the man the president-elect is interested in handling the petroleum portfolio, told Daily Sun in a telephone interview that he would not turn down anything given to him by Buhari.

“Let the appointment be made first. I will not turn down anything Buhari gives me because I know him that he can turn Nigeria around.

“So, anything that I can contribute to his Nigeria project, I will do it by the grace of God, because anything I do, God directs me. And if it is the will of God, of course, He will give me the strength. But anything that can help Buhari in his Nigeria project, I can do it by the grace of God,” David-West said.

David-West, who will be 79 on August 26, was taken up on the issue of generational shift, but responded swiftly, saying: “They should shut up. Age has nothing to do with capability. I give you a good example: the President of Tunisia is now close to 90 years old. He defeated an 80-year-old in the election. Mugabe is 91 years old. It is the capability that matters, not age.”

“Jonathan is younger than Buhari. Has he done better than Buhari? In spite of the fact that Jonathan is younger, Nigerians said Buhari can do better. Age has nothing to do with it.”

Asked what advice he has for President Goodluck Jonathan as he prepares to leave office, David-West said: “When he was in office, did he listen to me? Is it now that he will listen to me? He never took my advice, and I told him that some of the people surrounding you are sycophants and they will leave you. And now, he is regretting. I have no advice for him. He should advise himself.”

He thanked God that Nigerians voted massively for Buhari, saying Nigerians would experience change soon.

“The message I have for Nigerians is that our expectation is high because of the mess. And it is justified. My message is that Buhari is not a magician. Nigerians should not expect magic or miracle. Buhari is not a magician, he is not a miracle worker; but they should give him time. They should be patient. But I am confident that he will turn this country around. There will be far great difference within six months,” David-West declared.