Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is many things to different people. To some, he is the Jagaban of Nigerian politics, who played a leading role in unseating the last administration. While to others, he is a corrupt opportunist, always seeking out means to enrich himself and feather his political nest.

Asiwaju, no doubt, reached the acme of his political life when he, along with several others, formed the All Progressives Congress, APC, which later defeated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 presidential polls. Since that feat was achieved, there has been a conscious effort to narrow the narrative of the victory to Tinubu's political acumen. He has been paraded in the media as the sole reason why the APC emerged victorious in the election. This, obviously, has not gone down well with other members of the party who played equally important roles in the party's triumph at the polls.

Tunubu, by no little means, contributed immensely to the success of the merger that gave birth to the APC. But his efforts would have come to nought if politicians like Nasir el-Rufai didn't persuade Gen Buhari to team up with him. Also, no one can dismiss the role played by members of the NewPDP, who were the last group of people to join the merger. In a single day the APC gained five governors, thirteen senators and about 25 House of Representatives members! Their entrance into the party gave it a more national spread and made it a viable opposition party. It didn't come as a surprise when the APC won the presidential election as any acute political observer would have seen it coming.

Tinubu, as imperious as ever, refused to acknowledge that victory was collectively achieved and the spoils of victory must be collectively shared. He began moves to enthrone his political protégés as the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives. He chose Senator Ahmed Lawan and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively. This move was stoutly resisted by other members of the party, especially those from the NewPDP, who felt the Vice Presidential seat ceded to Tinubu was commensurate with the role he played in the party's victory. They then went on to ensure that their bloc produced the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Tinubu didn't learn much lesson from that experience and was quick to forget that the APC is an amalgam of different parties and, as such, no leader can take unilateral decisions. His imperial actions in the defunct ACN, where he was the supreme leader are not acceptable in a party that has many leaders. I really had a good laugh when I read excerpts of his letter to Oyegun calling on him to resign from office. The letter didn't only expose Tinubu's narcissism but also showed a man who suffers from megalomania. How he thinks he alone can order the Chairman of his party to resign beats my understanding.

Since the report of his feud with Oyegun broke out, it has dominated our political discourse. Many have sympathized with Tinubu and see him as a victim of political ingratitude but nothing could be further from the the truth. Tinubu has no enemy but himself. His penchant for having his finger in every pie is the cause of his political travails. He simply failed to face the fact that in a party with multitude of leaders he cannot be the generalissimo. He is a part of a whole, not the whole itself. His imperious acts will continue to breed more enmity for him. His protégés who understand that they now belong to a party owned by no one have stopped been servile to Tinubu. The primary election that produced Akeredolu as the party's gubernatorial candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state is a classic example of how ready his protégés are to beat him at his own game.

The sudden low stock that Tinubu is falling into can be halted if he stops meddling in every party affair. As an example, Tinubu shouldn't have nominated Wale Edun as the ministerial nominee from Ogun State without consulting with the governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Edun has lived all his life in Lagos and was not seen as the right choice for the state. Also, his overt support for Senator Olamilekan Adeola, aka Yayi, to succeed Amosun in 2019 has driven a wedge between both politicians. It is superfluous to say every governor wants to choose his successor. Tinubu shouldn't usurp that 'right'. He has been choosing his successors since he left office in 2007 and no one has begrudged him the right to do so.
Whatever Tinubu has achieved in politics, he has paid the price. But he needs to understand that the tune of the music has changed so must be his dance.

Epistle loading...

Abeg let's here word jare.

His business, his interest just waiting for someone.

modath:

Epistle loading...

Modath, the issue has generated a lot of discourse. This post is just my take on the issue.

BrutalJab:
Abeg let's here word jare.

Sorry if I disturbed your peace.

SAHACO:
His business, his interest just waiting for someone.

Someone to do what?

bejeiodus:
Someone to do what?

Someone an expecting on the thread.

Haaa