By Lekan Sote August 29, 2018 #PUNCH

To convince the electorate of the South-West Nigeria to buy into the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, who is also the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, must provide concrete assurances of a better deal.

This is imperative because it appeared that Tinubu was sent to Coventry by the Buhari administration for a spell, and was seemingly “rehabilitated,” and given the strange assignment to kill perceived brushfires within the APC, only because the votes of the South-West will be needed for President Buhari’s re-election quest.

The cold calculations of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who argued that the South-West has gone with the North to produce the Buhari Presidency, and must therefore forfeit the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party to Uche Secondus of the South-South, appears to confirm that the Yoruba must find ways to profit from their new found Northern Nigerian friends.

To be sure, there is nothing wrong in the South-West being branded as a political ally of the North. After all, almost the entire bloc of Eastern Nigeria allied with the political North in the First and Second Republics of Nigeria-to good advantage.

Governor Wike’s postulation appears to have been confirmed by the defeat inflicted on the PDP by the APC’s Kayode Fayemi, who won the recently concluded Ekiti State governorship election.

Some however, argue that the victory of the APC and its candidate was accomplished through a combination of an overbearing Federal Government might and the not-so-new phenomenon of “see and buy” money politics.

The Ndigbo of the South-East Nigeria who seem to agree with the observations of Wike, have nonetheless asked why President Buhari would prefer to support a presidential candidate from the South-West for the 2023 General Election.

Not a few Yoruba are concerned that the query of Ndigbo may deprive the South-West of the APC’s 2023 presidential candidature, the same way the zone was argued out of the chairmanship of the PDP by Wike.

The new Yoruba thinking is that Tinubu must extract concrete gains for the South-West in order to convince them into another political alliance with the North. Wike has forced the Yoruba to the reality that they must reap from the Buhari Presidency because they have worked at its altar.

They therefore – justifiably – think that as the vice presidency of President Buhari’s re-election attempt is a shoo-in for them, they should also expect the co-operation of Northern Nigeria when they vie for the Presidency in 2023.

This is informed by the brazen posture of the Reformed-APC, who returned to the PDP, only for the purpose of retaining the Presidency for the Northern Nigeria in 2019. You will not be able to fault the R-APC if you appreciate that politics is about advancing personal interests.

The South-West must play hardball politics, and bring the issues that concern them to the negotiating table. Tinubu must not “be dulling” this time round, as they say on the street. But the requirements of the Yoruba do not end with producing the Vice President in 2019.

Apart from assurances of getting the presidential ticket in 2023, the Yoruba want other things, which are encapsulated by the word, “restructuring.” Some cynics claim that they have no idea what is meant by restructuring.

It means the devolution of powers from the central government to the state and local government tiers of government. In more specific terms, restructuring would include shifting certain items from the Federal Exclusive List to the ballpark of the state and local governments on the Residual List.

It will also mean amending Section 9 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which implies that the constitution cannot be altered to create new states, and new local governments, change the state capitals, or alter the names of states, and local government headquarters, except by the approval of four-fifth of members of the National Assembly and two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly.

A constitution that is silent on possibilities of states and local government areas merging, demerging, or having common utility and infrastructural services, but also insists that electricity generated beyond a certain level must be uploaded to the national grid, must be amended.

To the South-West, restructuring should also mean that personal or group aspirations of Nigerian citizens will not be put on hold because of other citizens.

For instance, the argument that prevents a candidate with high UTME score from gaining admission to a tertiary institution so that another candidate with a lower score can go in because of the phenomenon called “educationally disadvantaged state” must no longer be advanced.

All citizens or groups must be able to progress at the pace that they have chosen. But to achieve this, resources must be provided to aid the aspirations of all Nigerian citizens, regardless of their state, local government, ethnic nationality, or religion. There must be no federally sponsored impediments, artificial barriers, or booby traps, in the way of any citizen of Nigeria.

Any political party that wants the full support of the South-West may have to take a look at the four-fold thrust of the manifesto of the Second Republic’s Unity Party of Nigeria: These are free education from nursery through tertiary level; free health services for all; integrated and rural community development; and full and sustainable employment.

While free education and free health services are easy to understand, the last two may need a little explanation. If you followed the enthusiasm that greeted the highly successful OYOMESI educational project of the Oyo State Government of Abiola Ajimobi, you will appreciate the importance of education to the Yoruba.

Also, the attempt by former Governor Olusegun Mimiko to implement a strong medical infrastructure in Ondo State is a signal that the Yoruba crave good healthcare delivery.

Taken together, integrated and rural community development and full employment mean that infrastructure will be provided so that citizens can prosper both in urban and rural centres, whether they are engaged in agriculture, manufacturing, or the service industry.

The ambitious agricultural projects of Ogun State at Omo Forest Reserve and the J4 Farm Settlement for instance, tell you the importance the Yoruba attach to production of food and cash crops.

The Oodua Group of Companies, owned by the South-West states, which have now been joined by their Lagos kins, is an evidence of the Yoruba quest for industrialisation.

The Afenifere, often regarded as a pressure group that serves the tribal interest, and preserves the ethnic identity, of the Yoruba, birthed the Third Republic’s Alliance for Democracy political party, whose preamble includes “reengineering of the political, economic, and social foundations to… build a new, united, and prosperous country under a good democratic government.”

The Egbe Omo Oduduwa, formed in 1945 to unite the Yoruba, was a response to the Ibibio State Union and the Ibo Federal Union, the political action committees of the Ibibio and the Igbo ethnic groups during colonial Nigeria.

Tinubu’s political family must join the Afenifere, whose influence waned after the 2003 elections, and harmonise their objectives into a corpus for the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, the Special Purpose Vehicle dedicated to delivering composite economic development throughout the South-West.

Failure to work together may jeopardise the political future of the South-West.

We don hear.... tired of APC ranting

The South West don't need all this grammars, Tinubu is the only one that can and will tell them who to vote.



I begin to doubt if they are really educated as they claim cos I can't just wrap my head around the reason why someone will selfishly decide the fate and future of a tribe just for his own ambitions.

Metuh:
The South West don't need all this grammars, Tinubu is the only one that can and will tell them who to vote. I begin to doubt if they are really educated as they claim cos I can't just wrap my head around the reason why someone will selfishly decide the fate and future of a tribe just for his own ambitions.

You might be making wrong assumptions. It is the misbehavior of people on Earth that reminds us of ghosts in heaven. The disappointing performance of Jonathan brought the likes of Buhari and Tinubu to the federal level. Jonathan dashed the hopes of every right thinking Nigerian and it was imperative to stop him and his cronies before the country becomes grounded.

Its a game of fighting evil with evil...


#Op, learn to summarize

Nukilia:


You might be making wrong assumptions. It is the misbehavior of people on Earth that reminds us of ghosts in heaven. The disappointing performance of Jonathan brought the likes of Buhari and Tinubu to the federal level. Jonathan dashed the hopes of every right thinking Nigerian and it was imperative to stop him and his cronies before the country becomes grounded.

Its a game of fighting evil with evil...


#Op, learn to summarized

You are partially right tho but Nigerians had other options apart from PDP and APC. We had professors, doctors, e.t.c and very educated modern candidates to choose from.

Instead, the South West settled for a cattle rearer with no form of education or improvement since he retired from the military.


We are suffering from that single mistake till date and some group of people are planning to still vote the sick man in again.

k

Metuh:

You are partially right tho but Nigerians had other options apart from PDP and APC. We had professors, doctors, e.t.c and very educated modern candidates to choose from.
Instead, the South West settled for a cattle rearer with no form of education or improvement since he retired from the military.
We are suffering from that single mistake till date and some group of people are planning to still vote the sick man in again.

I totally agree with you, the suffering was unavoidable! The Southwest used it as a strategy to spite the Southsouth for ignoring them. Since politics is a game of numbers and the Southwest realized that even though Buhari is a dumb fellow, his votes would be needed to get rid of Jonathan, they saw the experiment as a worthwhile one.

Having dislodged Jonathan for the greater good of the nation, the next strategy by the SW will be to discourage APC from feeding Buhari as a president due to his woeful performance. The SW will definitely switch loyalty to anyother viable candidate who will salvage the nation.

Nukilia:


I totally agree with you, the suffering was unavoidable! The Southwest used it as a strategy to spite the Southsouth for ignoring them. Since politics is a game of numbers and the Southwest realized that even though Buhari is a dumb fellow, his votes would be needed to get rid of Jonathan, they saw the experiment as a worthwhile one.

Having dislodged Jonathan for the greater good of the nation, the next strategy by the SW will be to discourage APC from feeding Buhari as a president due to his woeful performance. The SW will definitely switch loyalty to anyother viable candidate who will salvage the nation.

I for one will support any younger and brilliant APC or PDP candidate as long as he or she is not Buhari.

The man is too old,weak and sick to rule Nigerians. His ideas are archaic, we need someone with progressive ideas.

Metuh:

I for one will support any younger and brilliant APC or PDP candidate as long as he or she is not Buhari.
The man is too old,weak and sick to rule Nigerians. His ideas are archaic, we need someone with progressive ideas.

Your concern is the same with every right thinking Nigerian. I will prefer Osibanjo as the President and Buhari as his vice. Hope APC can discern that on time before Nigerians dump the party and vote for a party presenting a younger candidate with sense and a strategic plan.

We are glad u are having headache over south west alliance and purpose
Just wait...
It will be clear to you, we don't issue ultimatums and rant all over the place

Nukilia:


Your concern is the same with every right thinking Nigerian. I will prefer Osibanjo as the President and Buhari as his vice. Hope APC can discern that on time before Nigerians dump the party and vote for a party presenting a younger candidate with sense and a strategic plan.

You know very well what you are proposing is impossible.
Nobody will even have the guts to suggest that to Buhari in APC as it will be considered as treason by Buharist elements.

Ojiofor:


You know very well what you are proposing is impossible.
Nobody will even have the guts to suggest that to Buhari in APC as it will be considered as treason by Buharist elements.

Can we have Dr Kingsley Moghalu as the CUPP presidential candidate? isn't he qualified?

Or will the followers of the awusa Fulani Lords of PDP consider it treasonous?

Shukuakukobambi:


Can we have Dr Kingsley Moghalu as the CUPP presidential candidate? isn't he qualified?

Or will the followers of the awusa Fulani Lords of PDP consider it treasonous?

Dr Moghalu is more than qualified but is he a member of PDP?

Ojiofor:


Dr Moghalu is more than qualified but is he a member of PDP?

Is PDP not a member of CUPP? Has CUPP not signed an MOU to present a joint candidate?

Why are you not promoting Moghalu? Will the followers of the awusa Fulani Lords of PDP accuse you of treason?

Shukuakukobambi:


Is PDP not a member of CUPP? Has CUPP not signed an MOU to present a joint candidate?

Why are you not promoting Moghalu? Will the followers of the awusa Fulani Lords of PDP accuse you of treason?

I see,I thought PDP zoned their party presidential candidancy to the North?
Please direct any further questions about PDP to the right direction.I am not a member nor an official of PDP.I rep myself in this platform and expresses my views in accordance with my conscience.

Ojiofor:


I see,I thought PDP zoned their party presidential candidancy to the North?
Please direct any further questions about PDP to the right direction.I am not a member nor an official of PDP.I rep myself in this platform and expresses my views in accordance with my conscience.

oh Mr hypocrite in chief, so only PDP is allowed to zone to the north? I thought APC is the northern and Muslim Party?

You'll rather vote an awusa Fulani because PDP ordered you to instead of Dr Moghalu whom you know is more qualified and you have the gall to tag others zombie?

Shukuakukobambi:


oh Mr hypocrite in chief, so only PDP is allowed to zone to the north? I thought APC is the northern and Muslim Party?

You'll rather vote an awusa Fulani because PDP ordered you to instead of Dr Moghalu whom you know is more qualified and you have the gall to tag others zombie?

You can say whatever you like that is your business.I never suggested to APC where they should pick their candidate from,not in this thread or anywhere else.Take another look at my first comment that you are sniffing at like a jonesing junkie.

Ojiofor:


You know very well what you are proposing is impossible.
Nobody will even have the guts to suggest that to Buhari in APC as it will be considered as treason by Buharist elements.

was a response to this.

Nukilia:


Your concern is the same with every right thinking Nigerian. I will prefer Osibanjo as the President and Buhari as his vice. Hope APC can discern that on time before Nigerians dump the party and vote for a party presenting a younger candidate with sense and a strategic plan.

Ojiofor:


You can say whatever you like that is your business.I never suggested to APC where they should pick their candidate from,not in this thread or anywhere else.Take another look at my first comment that you are sniffing at like a jonesing junkie.



was a response to this.

And you too must have been confused by the awusa butt you've been sniffing otherwise you'd have responded appropriately to my initial post below

Can we have Dr Kingsley Moghalu as the CUPP presidential candidate? isn't he qualified?

Or will the followers of the awusa Fulani Lords of PDP consider it treasonous?

If you can wonder about Osinbajo, why aren't you bothered about Moghalu? Is it hypocrisy or slavery to awusa Fulani?

Shukuakukobambi:


And you too must have been confused by the awusa butt you've been sniffing otherwise you'd have responded appropriately to my initial post below



If you can wonder about Osinbajo, why aren't you bothered about Moghalu? Is it hypocrisy or slavery to awusa Fulani?

Don't bother about Fulanis for they know their true slaves.

Ojiofor:


Don't bother about Fulanis for they know their true slaves.

Of course they know about who has been used as target practice since 1953?

Sure they know