“Even among thieves, there is honour.” –
Professor Wole Soyinka
“Though, force can protect in emergency,
only justice, fairness and cooperation can
finally lead men to the dawn of eternal
peace.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
“No matter who or what you support, I
believe in supporting fairness first.” –
Jennette McCurdy
In recent weeks, I have been watching the
way and manner that Asiwaju Ahmed Bola
Tinubu is being tossed around by his
beneficiaries. I have been watching in
consternation, though not surprisingly, how
he is being schemed out of the House of
Mohammadu Buhari that he has toiled to help
build. I am watching how suddenly he is the
leper that everyone must run away from now
that the food is cooked. I am aghast at the
ingratitude of politicians and their cruelty. I
am appalled at the crass opportunism
pervading the air.
Yes, people have often tried to divorce
integrity and honour from politics. People
have tried to create a gulf between morality
and politics. People have always tried to
excuse treachery and perfidy as inseparable
concomitants of politics. People have justified
dishonour and shamelessness as ingredients
of politics. There have been efforts since the
days of yore to justify immorality, ignominy,
dishonesty, unreliability, and subversion as
fundamental tenets of politics. I believe all
the above are just means of excusing
irresponsibility on the part of politics and
those who practice the trade. It is why people
believe and say that “Politics is a dirty game.”
Niccolo Machiavelli, the Italian diplomat
during the Renaissance era gave intellectual
wings to this anomaly with his book The
Prince published in 1532. Therein, he
espouses the obnoxious idea in which
political expediency is placed above morality.
He noxiously advocates the use of craft and
deceit to maintain authority. In short
Machiavellianism is “the employment of
cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in
general conduct.”
But the great late Chief Obafemi Awolowo
fervently disagreed with this heinous school
of thought about politics. He posited that
politics is not dirty a game, but it is those
who play politics that make it dirty. In a
lecture given on January 27, 1961, “Politics
and Religion” in Ilishan Remo, the great Awo
contended that “the description of politics as
a game is a felicitous one,” and insisted that
“any game at all, other than a game of
chance, is good. But the manner of playing it
may be clean or dirty, all depending on
whether or not the players observe the rules
for playing the game which mankind has laid
down in conformity with universally accepted
standards of decency and ethics.”
The above postulation by Awoolowo
underscored why he was the type of
politician that he was and why he was
enormously successful, as well as why History
has held him up as primus inter pares . Buhari
and his handlers would be well advised to
scour through history and see how any
government that adopted Machiavellianism,
as opposed to Awoism, has ended. They
should educate themselves and make up their
minds which of the two philosophies of
politics they want to adopt.
Obeying the rules of the game, such as
politics as the great Awo posited, is
functionally related to “honour” that Professor
Soyinka apotheosised on an occasion at the
Oduduwa Hall, University of Ife in 1982, as
being fundamental “even among thieves.”
Thus, I am assuming that Buhari is an
“honourable man.” I am also assuming that
his handlers are decent and ethical. It is
based on these assumptions that I know it is
inescapable for Buhari and his handlers not
to give adequate and commensurate space to
Tinubu’s influence in this administration. Not
to give Tinubu his dues would amount to
perfidy and a betrayal of the highest order. It
would amount to dishonour among the
“thieves” in the APC. It would also suggest
that Buhari and his men are indecent,
unethical and treacherous.
I find it weird that suddenly, Tinubu “is too
controlling.” “He wants to impose all of the
time.” “He is too ambitious.” “He is not good
for Buhari’s Presidency.” “Buhari will do well
to stay away from him.” “Tinubu must be
neutralised.” “Tinubu is corrupt.” ”Tinubu is
selfish.” “Is Tinubu the only one in the APC?”
“Why must he seek to exert influence in
Buhari’s Administration?” “Tinubu is too
powerful.” “Tinubu should leave Buhari
alone.” “Tinubu is not the only one who
contributed to Buhari’s success.” Tinubu this,
Tinubu that!
Well, Tinubu may not be the only one who
contributed to Buhari’s success, but he is the
ACE. He was and still is the most important
variable in the success of Buhari in the last
election. Remove Tinubu from the equation,
Buhari’s last effort would have been more
woeful than the previous efforts. How come
people have such a short memory? Have some
people been in Russia not to know what
transpired? Or they are just being in denial
because they lack the capacity to be fair to
Tinubu? Do we have to like Tinubu to be fair
to him? As Jennette McCurdy insisted above,
“no matter who or what” anyone of us
supports, “supporting fairness first” should be
the first order of business.
How can people forget so soon that Buhari
has been running for President for 12 years
and has been failing very woefully until
Tinubu came to his rescue? Where were all
those making noises about Tinubu wanting to
exert influence? What is wrong in expecting
to reap the fruit of your labour, as Tinubu is
seeking to do by having some of his
supporters and men in the Buhari House that
he was the architect of?
Those blaming Tinubu, if they are not
ingrates and hypocrites, didn’t they know
that Tinubu was corrupt when he was toiling
to put the coalition together? Didn’t they
know that he was always imposing candidates
when they were all running after him to help
them install Buhari as the President? Didn’t
they know that he always wanted to put his
own supporters in position of power when he
was sweating to make Buhari successful?
How come it is now that they are just
realising that Tinubu is an undesirable
element?
Now, all these ingrates and hypocrites are
shouting the names of Babatunde Fashola,
Kayode Fayemi and the rest of them. Have
they forgotten that there would not have been
any of them on the political stage if not for
Tinubu? Give it to Tinubu, he knows how to
put square pegs in square holes. Or has
everyone forgotten that the tragedy of
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was foisted on
Nigeria by Mattew Aremu Okikiola Olusegun
Obasanjo-Onyejekwe? How come Tinubu is
suddenly bad and has to be ostracised from
the Buhari House that would not and could
not have stood if not for Tinubu?
I am not a politician. But I am seriously
interested in politics because it affects me on
a daily basis. I am not a supporter of Asiwaju
Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s school of politics. I am
not fond of his political philosophy. I have
criticised him several times in the public
space. I have a lot of beef with the way he
has conducted a lot of things. All these have
not blinded and would not blind me to the
fact that he is entitled to the fruits of his
labour. There is just no other way to slice it.
Although Tinubu put himself in this
predicament because he did not heed the
warnings given to him regarding a lot of
things by some elders in Yorubaland. He
believed he saw something that some of us
did not see. He was committed beyond
commitment. He was dedicated, determined
and focused. He put everything he had into
making Buhari successful. He hurt a lot of his
own people as a result. He made enemies out
of his “extended family members.” He gave
everything. To deny him now what is due to
him would be utterly unfair. What is fair is
just fair. What is right is just right.
It is true that Muhammadu Buhari is now the
president. Now he has the power. But he
would be advised to be cautious on the way
and manner he treats Tinubu, regardless of
his (Tinubu’s) imperfections. Tinubu may not
be one hundred percent accepted in
Yorubaland. Chief MKO Abiola was not
either. Same goes with the great Awo. But it
would be a very terrible mistake to judge him
based on that. Buhari would be well advised
that it would be in his best interest and the
interest of Nigeria not to ostracise Tinubu.
Not at this time or anytime in the life of this
administration. Buhari’s failure to hearken to
this advice would have serious ramifications
for the fortunes and future of this country.
It is my hope that Buhari and his handlers
would not make the same mistake that
Ibrahim Babangida made with Chief MKO
Abiola. I hope Buhari would not repeat the
mistake of his good friend, General Sani
Abacha. It is my hope that Buhari and his
handlers would not miscalculate and take
decisions that would put this country in
jeopardy, and that they would not act in an
ungrateful manner. It is my hope that Tinubu
would not be denied his fair share of
influence in this administration. If there is
anything that the Yoruba man hates, it is
unfairness, even against strangers or
detractors, not to talk of one of their own,
regardless of how recalcitrant s/he is.
It is too late in the day to just realise that
Tinubu is not good. It is too late in the day to
want to discard him and undercut him. It is
too late in the day to look for excuses to
ostracise him after he has helped put the
government in power. Regardless of the way
it is sliced, without Tinubu, there could never
have been any Buhari presidency. Not Alhaji
Abubakar Atiku, and certainly not Senator
Bukola Saraki or any of the crass opportunists
circling around Buhari presently could have
made it happen.
As Jennette McCurdy preached, no matter
who or what you support, “supporting
fairness first” is the best way forward.
Expecting a modicum of decency and ethics
in the conduct of our politicians regardless of
their imperfections is nothing too much to
expect. Even, among thieves, there should be
honour, as Professor Wole Soyinka put it.
Please follow me on Twitter @OyeyemiRemi
Share this:

http://blogs.premiumtimesng.com/?p=167950

ah ah! Imagine! Was it wole soyinka dat 1st quoted "there's honor amongst thieves"?

Tinubu, the modern day nigerian political godfather.

The probem with this article is its failure to articulate who specifically it is making the allegations against.

Absolute Trash . Tinubu didn't do anything with the interest of the masses at heart ,everything he did for buhari had an ulterior selfish motive behind it . The writer shouldn't disturb nigerians about tinubu political problems,his political problems are his personal problems . Nigeria is bigger than any single individual.

T

Tinubu lap dog making noise

lol, una neva see anything

oladele97:
“Even among thieves, there is honour.” –

In recent weeks, I have been watching the
way and manner that Asiwaju Ahmed Bola
Tinubu is being tossed around by his
beneficiaries. I have been watching in
consternation, though not surprisingly, how
he is being schemed out of the House of
Mohammadu Buhari that he has toiled to help
build. I am watching how suddenly he is the
leper that everyone must run away from now

continue watching the Indian season filmm when you get to season 25 please tell me lemme join you

This guy has a reputation for often writing nonsensical articles.
The fact is tinubu is right now fighting the battle which the masses ought to be fighting themselves.
The definition of the character of the buhari Republic and the future of this country.
It is either a total turnaround from the direction of travel or allow the vipers and vulture to recongregate.

The article seems logical but Tinubu is been paid pack in his own coin. He pocketed all the resources of Lagos state and raped the political fathers of AD of which he was a product. He thoroughly insulted Funso Williams who stepped down for him to eventually become the god father he is today. He bit the fingers that fed him and openly mocked the elders if afenifere. He practically hijacked the party from the elders who gave him all their support. What you sow you will reap in due season. My honest opinion.

But to be frank tinubu otu be given his dues

ECOTERRORS:
Tinubu lap dog making noise

am in love

Although Tinubu put himself in this predicament because he did not heed the warnings given to him regarding a lot of
things by some elders in Yorubaland. He believed he saw something that some of us did not see.

He forgot a yoruba adage "what the elderly saw while sitting, the young will never see it while standing"

So what do Remi want us do now We should help Tinubu lick his wounds Tufiakwa

Thief.nubu cry me a river niger and river benue together.treachery begets treachery-Awo 2015.

Clueless Tinubu

In summary "Tinubu may not
be one hundred percent accepted in
Yorubaland. Chief MKO Abiola was not
either. Same goes with the great Awo. But it
would be a very terrible mistake to judge him
based on that. Buhari would be well advised
that it would be in his best interest and the
interest of Nigeria not to ostracise Tinubu.
Not at this time or anytime in the life of this
administration.It is my hope that Buhari and his handlers
would not make the same mistake that
Ibrahim Babangida made with Chief MKO
Abiola. It is my hope that Buhari and his
handlers would not miscalculate and take
decisions that would put this country in
jeopardy, and that they would not act in an
ungrateful manner. If there is
anything that the Yoruba man hates, it is
unfairness, even against strangers or
detractors, not to talk of one of their own,
regardless of how recalcitrant s/he is."
By ostracizing Tinubu = South west!?

TheFreeOne:


So what do Remi want us do now We should help Tinubu lick his wounds Tufiakwa

maybe he wants nigerians to stage nationwide protests in support of tinubu

forgiveness:
In summary "Tinubu may not
be one hundred percent accepted in
Yorubaland. Chief MKO Abiola was not
either. Same goes with the great Awo. But it
would be a very terrible mistake to judge him
based on that. Buhari would be well advised
that it would be in his best interest and the
interest of Nigeria not to ostracise Tinubu.
Not at this time or anytime in the life of this
administration.It is my hope that Buhari and his handlers
would not make the same mistake that
Ibrahim Babangida made with Chief MKO
Abiola. It is my hope that Buhari and his
handlers would not miscalculate and take
decisions that would put this country in
jeopardy, and that they would not act in an
ungrateful manner. If there is
anything that the Yoruba man hates, it is
unfairness, even against strangers or
detractors, not to talk of one of their own,
regardless of how recalcitrant s/he is."
By ostracizing Tinubu = South west!?

don't mind dat guy ,he chop toilet b4 he wrote that rubbish.

Okay

onatisi:
maybe he wants nigerians to stage nationwide protests in support of tinubu

Ok. We'll start protesting from the National assembly on sunday by 10a.m

Book of lamentation of Tinubu and Yorubas chapter 1v1.
Like i said earlier,Tinubu/Yorubas are now neither welcomed in the "Southern block",by the remaining two southern political blocks of southsouth & southeast,nor would they boast of being treated fairly by Northern political block(This article,a case study),and hence,a fast corroding/shattering relationship with the North.This is exactly what you get,when people knows you as betrayal,inconsistence,greedy,and worst of all,un/ill-ideological.
They now neither here nor there.thats the worst thing to happen to anybody/group of people.
This willful slavery is the undoing of the race of betrayals.
Anyway,coming days will be more fascinating!.
For the mean time,
USE AND DUMP LOADING...

Tinubu was warned but he thinks he can use chicanery to deceive pple
Immediately after election North elites beeen saying tinubu did contribute anything just a margin of 600k

onatisi:
maybe he wants nigerians to stage nationwide protests in support of tinubu

You mean to support a drug lord?.A man who plundered osun treasury via the refrigerator technician of a governor,which has brought osun state into financial coma?.A man who milked lagos dry,if not that Lagos has multiple sources of income,it would have been another osun.please allow his betrayals of kinsmen,to beat their dry-flat chest,and save him if they can.

Pensnipper,Ngeneukwuenu,Demdem,caseless,obiageli,etc.

HzRF:
Tinubu was warned but he thinks he can use chicanery to deceive pple
Immediately after election North elites beeen saying tinubu did contribute anything just a margin of 600k

[size=13pt]Tinubu became a victim of the same mistake that Afonja, Awolowo and Abiola made by trusting the Gmabaris....Tinubu was warned all along about aligning with the Gmabaris(hausa/fulani), but Tinubu felt he was a super man, Buhari is only acting a script, Buhari is happy with the of emergence Saraki n Dogara ...in one sentence....Fear the North [/size]

sosanova:

[size=13pt]Tinubu became a victim of the same mistake that Afonja, Awolowo and Abiola made by trusting the Gmabaris....Tinubu was warned all along about aligning with the Gmabaris(hausa/fulani), but Tinubu felt he was a super man, Buhari is only acting a script, Buhari is happy with the of emergence Saraki n Dogara ...in one sentence....Fear the North [/size]

quiet unfortunate,this will continue,untill they bought sense.

For the sake of the long suffering Nigerian masses, I hope that Buhari will at least borrow some sagacity (from anywhere) for the first time in his unfortunate life and ignore the charlatans that urge him to "dump" Tinubu because "it's their turn".

The Tinubu wing of the Apeeshit is the only thing that will separate his regime from the lethargy and crude provincialism and not to mention parochialism that characterized both his first foray into national governance and his kinsman Yardy's mercifully short lived reign.

[s]

Curlieweed:
For the sake of the long suffering Nigerian masses, I hope that Buhari will at least borrow some sagacity (from anywhere) for the first time in his unfortunate life and ignore the charlatans that urge him to "dump" Tinubu because "it's their turn".

The Tinubu wing of the Apeeshit is the only thing that will separate his regime from the lethargy and crude provincialism and not to mention parochialism that characterized both his first foray into national governance and his kinsman Yardy's mercifully short lived reign.

[/s]DID YOU ACTUALLY WROTE THIS?.

HzRF:
Tinubu was warned but he thinks he can use chicanery to deceive pple
Immediately after election North elites beeen saying tinubu did contribute anything just a margin of 600k

honestly ,the signs were there that buhari will dump tinubu, buhari is a core northerner ,the next thing in some months time will be the removal of apc executives loyal to tinubu, the north will seize control of apc and there is nothing anyone can do about that,unfortunately for tinubu and apc , even the south western states are getting tired of apc ,every one is praying for the removal of the apc governor in oyo state. Even the popularity of tinubu and his ogboni apc is fast dwindling in the south west. It will be very hard for apc to win osun in the next election and the almighty shocker awaiting apc in the west is the coming of a new powerful political party in the south west very soon that will tackle apc in each south west state.

Tinubu's lost doesn't equal Yoruba's lost ..... I alluded Tinubu's lost to his Machiavellian hold on the APC without giving recourse to the Mantra of Change he campaigned for and on the same Mantra he won the election.

Tinubu singlehandedly imposed Oyegun as chairman APC, the rest were watching and waiting

Tinubu singlehandedly imposed Osinbajo as VP, the rest were watching and waiting

Tinubu led caucus of APC backed Lawan/ Akume as sole party resolution for the position of SP/DSP .... This is not constitutionally allowed but usual convention of PDP which Tinubu/APC campaigned against.

Tinubu led caucus of APC backed Gbajabiamala as sole party resolution as Speaker .......

The rest ain't f.oo.l..... silence doesn't mean fooli.shness , they waited for Tinubu to make mistakes and rode on his mistakes to carted away more than enough glory themselves.


If there is one person that should know better not to impose on the Independent National assembly, it should be Tinubu because He fought against this very thing in 2011 where ACN helped Tambuwal to power against PDP favored Mulikat Adeola's Akande

With Tambuwal, Tinubu denied SW the number 3 position in GEJ's Administration . Now he denied the whole of SW NASS principal post because he won't just chill.


Tinubu's Political calculations is getting archaic in the present Nigerian National Politics.