“Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.”
― Mineko Iwasaki

The grand conspiracy and recent desperate attempts to de-construct and indeed, de-mystify one of Africa’s most decorated political colossuses, who, incidentally remains an enduring metaphor for what true democratic culture represents in Nigeria smirks of gross ingratitude. The pain runs deep, considering the incontestable fact that the masterminds are some of the greatest beneficiaries of his patriotic struggles, at one time or the other over the past five decades.

One is talking about none other than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the famed Jagaban, the one man who stood firm, like Zuma rock in the whirlwind of Nigeria’s politics, against the brutal and bruising boots of late Abacha’s dictatorship. Our subject was the guiding light of the struggle for the realization of June 12,1993 mandate as won by late Chief MKO Abiola. He was the former executive governor of Lagos State(1999-2007) and has remained the constant star in the firmament of Nigeria’s progressive political spectrum.

But for the commitment of this national Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), perhaps Nigeria’s then rudderless ship of state would long have capsized into the vast ocean of corruption under the clueless, Jonathan-led administration. That was then. But this is now, as he is being paid back in coins he never traded for the survival of democratic culture in his dear country, Nigeria.

So, it rankles; it shocks one to the marrow, more so because acts of sheer deception and bitter betrayal as reflected in some of William Shakespeare’s plays of the 16th century now play out in the 21st Century Nigeria, with uncanny semblances! And for what? All because of transient fame and fortunes. For instance, in the play Macbeth the lead character betrays King Duncan (to whom he has sworn allegiance) by killing him when he is a guest at his home. But why, one may ask? It is in an overtly ambitious attempt to gain the crown that Duncan wears. He also betrays his friend, Banquo, just to retain the power and position of being King. Thereafter, he murdered sleep!

But that is man for you; vacillating like the tropic weather. Today, he pretends to be the most loving and loyal friend or ally, only because he is in dire need of the other’s help, most likely to get out of a sticky situation. But tomorrow he turns coat at the drop of a hat, that is when the price is right. There are scruples but he has none. No binding philosophy of commitment to a cause. Greed for instant gains and an unquenchable desire to be seen as the man- of -the -moment are his propelling passion; his odious guiding credo.

Worse still, Tinubu’s traducers are going about it as if he is one desperate politician, who wants power at all costs and by all crooked means. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. If memory serves, Tinubu’s political trajectory took off when he pitched tent with the Musa Yar’Adua’s political dynasty. That was the Social Democratic Party(SDP).Before long, he was championing the struggle for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 mandate, as freely given by the good people of Nigeria to Chief MKO Abiola(of blessed memory). He made a lot of sacrifices; of precious time, energy, finance, strategies, wise counsel and other incalculable resources in this noble cause.

And still sticking to his political guns, to forever remain on the side of the people through a democratic structure he, it was who warned Dapo Sarumi, who was then the patriarch of the Primrose Group not to jump ship into the IBB contraption of an Interim National Government. Back then, the group was the most dominant in Lagos politics in 1992-93. Tinubu vowed to break rank with Sarumi should he not heed his piece of patriotic advice. But the other was far too gone in his quest for political relevance under the military government to heed it. That singular wrong choice led to Sarumi’ political oblivion, till this day.

If Tinubu was desperate he would have joined the bandwagon as one of the infamous carpet baggers. It would also be recalled that when he, Tinubu was the Chairman, House Committee on Finance at the Senate he was offered the juicy post as the Minister of Finance by the Abacha-led military government but he rejected it out rightly out of sheer national interest. Yet, that was not all.

Specifically in 2003, when as the Lagos state governor he became the last man standing at a time OBJ’s rigging machinery raged through the South West geo-political zone Tinubu’s commitment, dedication, determination and personal sacrifice re-engineered the progressive community to retrieve the zone from the conservative People’s Democratic Party, PDP. The eventual emergence of Kayode Fayemi and Rauf Aregbesola as the governors of Ekiti and Osun states respectively became the turning point for the progressives’ relevance.

Another remarkable and in fact, epochal moment in the South West politics came in 2007.When the market din swirled in Lagos over the emergence of Babatunde Raji Fashola -then a political neophyte-as the governorship candidate of the AC it was Tinubu who made another sacrifice of his Senatorial ambition, giving the ticket to Ganiyu Solomon.

It was Fashola’s victory at the polls in 2011 that empowered, emboldened and paved the way for the subsequent victories of the progressives in Oyo and Ogun states in 2011.And it was also in the spirit of Asiwaju’s sacrifice that made it possible for Ibikunle Amosun, well-known then as a diehard conservative politician to clinch the coveted governorship seat in Ogun State, in spite of the array of other progressive politicians on ground.

Ditto for Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo sate who had earlier abandoned Alliance for Democracy, AD for ANPP. Ordinarily, if Asiwaju was one desperate politician, as being insinuated such politicians would not have ridden to political prominence on the back of the Jagaban. Worthy of note too, is that it was the sacrifice made by Tinubu out of love for his country that led to the historic merger amongst the ACN,CPC,ANPP and a faction of APGA to form APC. And for the first time in the political evolution in Nigeria the party was able to dislodge the incumbent greed-driven PDP-led administration.

Were he one selfish politician he would have been contented being a king in his South West enclave. But no. Even when the then presidential flag-bearer, Muhammadu Buhari offered him the post of his running mate in the presence of Chief Bisi Akande, who was the Interim Chairman of the party Tinubu declined the offer. He nominated Professor Yemi Osibanjo instead. This is an incontrovertible fact. It was borne out of his patriotic zeal, taking cognizance that the PDP had then polarized Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines. Unfortunately, one John Baden, a total stranger to Nigeria’s political evolution has stood logic on its head by claiming otherwise in his recently launched biography of Mister President.

Having achieved such political feats, out of a rare sense of patriotism it is a crying shame that some lucky individuals who rode on his back to fame are now hands-in-glove with the Hausa/Fulani hegemony to attempt to rubbish his good image which he has built over the decades. What is their aim? To gain entrance into the hearts of the new generation of Yorubas.

But they must learn from the unfailing hands of history that the Akintolas, Omoboriowos and Babatopes who had travelled such ignoble paths have been consigned into the dustbins of political history. No Yoruba man who has jettisoned the collective interest of their people ever survived their ill-fated journeys. More instructively, they may have to read the accounts of Shakespeare characters in Julius Caesar. For instance, the wily one named Antony betrays his commitment to Cleopatra by marrying Octavia. Conversely, Mena betrays Antony, Lepidus, and Caesar by suggesting that Pompey should kill the trio. On the other hand, Ahenobarbus betrays Antony by deserting Antony when the latter is at his most vulnerable point in life. As if to literally turn tables, Cleopatra herself endures betrayal from both Caesar as well as her own treasurer. This deception, coming from among one’s closest servants, constitutes great betrayal. Instructively, they all ended on the sad side of history.

It would therefore, do the Yoruba political traitors in Abuja, who, like the Astyanax fish species betray their own , are now hell-bent on doing Tinubu in to have some moment of sober reflection. Even Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State governor in his characteristic blunt manner has warned of the dire consequences for those so involved. They should remember that in the market square of life, it is always honourable and rewarding to be grateful to those who lift us up, instead of turning round to spit on their faces. God, who created us all is watching. As the only one to who vengeance belongs He will surely take recompense. For, anybody who abuses grace will soon have nothing to eat but grass.

http://www.saharaweeklyng.com/tinubu-and-the-generation-of-astyanax-bimaculatus-by-idowu-ajanaku/

ok but .......

politicians are hypocrites they don't wanna listen

We hear thee oh Tinubu praise singer.
You have enlightened us with nothing new. No facts or research just the usual paranoia of Nigerian Politicians. the " they want to destroy me" syndrome "

However since you must eat, seeing that your quack writeup has made it to Nairaland.

Proceed without delay to Burdillion and collect your brown envelope.

Tinubu is a great politician with good foresight no doubt.
Tinubu is used to being betrayed but time has always proven him right. For instance, look at Obanikoro today. He has gone back to his root after straying away from his root.
You know you're great when the dunces of this world are against you.

Aegon:
We hear thee oh Tinubu praise singer.
You have enlightened us with nothing new. No facts or research just the usual paranoia of Nigerian Politicians. the " they want to destroy me" syndrome "

However since you must eat, seeing that your quack writeup has made it to Nairaland.

Proceed without delay to Burdillion and collect your brown envelope.

This article is beyond what any numbskull can comprehend. Expecially those with no rational elders in the mould of Tinubu in the cursed region where every elders there have now joined APC after misleading and betraying GEJ.

All these eulogies just to venerate a politician .Yet no fear of God among these liars? Another Joe Igbokwe.Keep on ass-licking.You don't even mind if these fellas mortgage your future for their selfish agendas.

ettybaba:

This article is beyond what any numbskull can comprehend. Expecially those with no rational elders in the mould of Tinubu in the cursed region where every elders there have now joined APC after misleading and betraying GEJ.

May blessings be urs today, tomorrow and forever.
These people are just so filled with hate, the more reason they can never participate at the highest level politically.
Biafra should just come quick so they can leave with their silliness.

Ok

This write up is nothing but a concoction of fictions,hearsays, and creative embellishments,its good only for the dustbin, tinubu did not make Buhari President,but the north made Buhari president,all d vote from the southwest is not up to dat of Kano alone,Tinubu should maintain his lane or he will suffer d same fate as Awolowo.Cry me a river.

I'm expecting the Nigerian jews,a.k.a Ijaw slaves to come up with their CONSPIRACY THEORIES against the collosus as usual.

Zeddicuz:
This write up is nothing but a concoction of fictions,hearsays, and creative embellishments,its good only for the dustbin, tinubu did not make Buhari President,but the north made Buhari president,all d vote from the southwest is not up to dat of Kano alone,Tinubu should maintain his lane or he will suffer d same fate as Awolowo.Cry me a river.

Permit me to quote you. There are certain processes that precede general elections. As a matter of fact, they are more important than general elections. Those processes are:
1. Political alignment and realignment.
2. Selection or choice of candidates.
3. Presentation of candidates for primaries.
4. The primary election itself.
Thanks.

Zeddicuz:
This write up is nothing but a concoction of fictions,hearsays, and creative embellishments,its good only for the dustbin, tinubu did not make Buhari President,but the north made Buhari president,all d vote from the southwest is not up to dat of Kano alone,Tinubu should maintain his lane or he will suffer d same fate as Awolowo.Cry me a river.

Very gullible statements, were the votes of Kano not in existence in 2011 and before then? Why didn't they make Buhari president the three times he got those votes. Use your grey matter more diligently.

ettybaba:

This article is beyond what any numbskull can comprehend. Expecially those with no rational elders in the mould of Tinubu in the cursed region where every elders there have now joined APC after misleading and betraying GEJ.

My brother I totally agree with you, the innefectual elders like Lateef Jakande and co that betrayed Awolowo and collected bribes from the babangida Government that betrayal eventually led him to be the first politician to use Rat Poison to solve his problems. What of Oba Siduade who led the delegation of all the Obas from southwest to Aso Rock to collect compensation over the death of MKO Abiola. They traded him for brown envelopes. The joke is on you fool.