In the socio-political landscape of contemporary Nigeria, there is arguably no other single individual that has influenced political discuss in the country in the last decade, and in very recent times, like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done. He is the man some people love to hate. They shudder at the mention of his name. They are afraid of him, and they know that they cannot ignore him.

The man is indeed an enigma, a giant in a class of his own. Pound for pound, Asiwaju has more political clout than most political leaders in Nigeria today. Indeed, he has become a driving force in the wheel of good governance and a staunch advocate for civil liberty. The man swims the murky and often treacherous waters of Nigerian politics and has borne the scars of battle and the banner of victory. Many look at his body language to gauge the direction the country is headed politically. Never since the time of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, has any politician of the west wielded so much influence across the entire nation.

As a keen politician, Asiwaju is rooted in the ideals of a free and just society where there is equal opportunity for everyone. His enduring passion is to see a transformed society, where everyone can prosper in his lawful endeavour. He is proud as he is lofty, unafraid to speak his mind and strive for a cause he believes in. He is by nature, an activist and a leader. But at the same time, he is humble enough to shift ground when confronted with superior arguments. Herein lays the fundamental trait of a Genius-Leader.

Asiwaju is also futuristic in his approach; he knows that life is fleeting and that change is constant, so he essentially surrounds himself with leaders, thereby forming a legitimate and formidable team where every member of the team is prepped to stand alone and galvanize others after him. Those who have been fortunate to meet and associate with Asiwaju at any level are often the better for it; they go on to become captains in their own rights.

Take the present Governor of Lagos State, for instance. In 2006 when as the out-going Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju nominated Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), his then Chief of Staff, to be his successor, a lot of dust was raised which threatened to consume the party and destroy all that Asiwaju had built over time. Today, those who opposed the choice of Fashola have seen the light, like Asiwaju did long ago. Those who still maintain that Governor Fashola did not perform well are mere mischief-makers seeking for relevance.

Thus as a bona fide leader, Asiwaju Tinubu has a penchant for noting like qualities in others. You immediately earn his respect, even his friendship, if you’re a person of idea, forthrightness and integrity, and if you’re ready to keep faith with the poor masses. Contrary to what some think, Tinubu is not anti-masses. He is not pro-elite, either. How could he be, when he is the most visible critic of injustice in governance right from before democracy?

As a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in the Abacha days, Asiwaju suffered various forms of persecution and intimidation from the military junta, before he fled abroad for his personal safety and to advance the cause of the Pro-Democracy struggle. How many of those presently calling for the head of Tinubu could face up to the dark-goggled General, when he held sway as Commander-in-Chief?

Where were the critics; those who ‘know’ how democracy ought to be run, when Asiwaju was taking the Federal Military Government head on? The men of today’s politics, I daresay, even the ‘Abuja’ politicians, are cheap opportunists who dived in when it was safe to do so, when the coast was clear. Now, suddenly they’re branding themselves heroes of democracy.

The lifeblood of democracy is credible election. As a man in the forefront of democratic struggle, Tinubu believes and expects that, during an election, people should choose their preferred candidates. But he is a central figure in politics and is too involved to stand aloof while the drum of election is beating. World over, many key leaders in developed countries, even the U.S, have been known to openly canvass support for particular candidates during election. For anyone to now accuse Asiwaju Tinubu of not being a democrat is laughable. Such folks have obviously been living on Mars for the last two decades.

Today, as we head towards 2015, it is ironic that some of those who have benefited largely from the magnanimity of Asiwaju Tinubu are now contesting his role in the body polity, in their selfish and blind desperation to occupy the Lagos State Government House, Alausa, in 2015. Indeed, can any politician within the fold of the APC, especially in the south-west, boast that they did not get a push from Asiwaju to be where they are today? Why turn against him now, because the spotlight is not on you? It needn’t be about you. It should be for about the people.

Today, the APC has lost in Ekiti State, and many see that as a slap on the face of Asiwaju, a sign that the Jagaban is no longer politically relevant. But they are having an early party. They forget the change that swept across the south-west in 2007. Asiwaju is an agent of positive transformation. The masses who reportedly voted against Gov. Fayemi in Ekiti State had better not wake up one morning to bite their fingers in regret. And I hope that voters across the country will be smart enough in 2015 to see through the PDP smokescreen.

A lot of great political leaders are celebrated in life, but more after they might have passed on. Asiwaju has done so much to impact this country positively, and the sweeping movement that he initiated will be felt across the nation in many, many years to come. That is something that nobody can take away from him.