(one of my #odalebaleku series)

Get this to you head, Tinubu-haters: Asiwaju is a good leader by all established parameters and he also has his own weaknesses as well.
Before, during and after the #OndoAPCprimaries, one person that has continued to feature is no other person than Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is not from Ondo but he influences ‎decisions. In 2002, when president Olusegun Obasanjo solicited support of South West (SW) governors to back his re-election bid, all, except Asiwaju accepted Obasanjo's plea. They were all rigged out except the son of late Abibat Mogaji.
A veteran of many successful political wars, he decided to rescue the Yorubas from the locusts who had rigged their way to power. As the only opposition governor in the SW‎, he battled the Federal Government (FG) under the leadership of Obasanjo - thirteen times, Tinubu took the FG to court.
During his tenure as Lagos governor, he brought young minds, within the ages of 25 and 43 into governance. One by one, he helped retrieved the stolen mandate of the people of Edo, then Ondo, Ekiti and Osun -all through ‎court pronouncement. Ogun and Oyo were in the hands of Gbenga Daniel and Adebayo Alao-Akala respectively until 2011.
The merger of the four political parties wouldn't have been made possible without Tinubu. From the day Rauf Aregbesola recorded what transpired at the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) election which was manipulated in favour of Jonah Jang of Plateau State, to the defection of the 5 PDP governors led by Rotimi Amaechi, it was through the assurance given by Asiwaju. To prepare the ground for the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as the candidate of the newly formed All Progressives Congress, APC, he didn't only 'imposed' Fayemi as the convention chairman, he brought the convention to Lagos. Atiku reportedly 'dollarised' the convention but many people collected his money and did the bidding of Asiwaju. Buhari emerged and most of the campaign strategies were designed in Lagos.
It was very obvious that Tinubu was the backbone. He was blackmailed. Maligned. His character defamed and all sorts of propaganda were manufactured, just against the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom. Tinubu was not contesting but he was their enemy and so he was mercilessly attacked. Africa Independent Television, AIT, owned by a known chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party from Edo State, almost incurred the wrath of the law, for airing a documentary -Lion of Bourdillon‎ on its medium. It was made to apologise.
For the first time, an opposition party rode into power and Buhari, who had contested thrice unsuccessfully, became Nigeria's president. In all the three times Buhari contested the president‎ial election, he neither win Kaduna, where he lives, nor Katsina where he comes from until the fourth time. The campaign strategies that were deployed were very potent.
In politics, nobody assists you without expecting patronage - at least to empower those who worked for the electioneering campaign. Most of Tinubu's men were not considered when the government was formed. Most of us, were at first shocked but later had a rethink - that Buhari should be allowed to pick the very best not knowing that he has been fenced by some people. These people, including two northern and one southern governors, take charge when Buhari goes to sleep every night. They have an agenda - to edge out Asiwaju -"...he is becoming too power and it is time we clipped his wings" -one of them was quoted as saying. Pekelepekele -ogede wo koko ye tan..." Surely, they have succeeded to a considerable extent.
Not many people know that APC died that day Saraki and Dogara became Senate President and Reps Speaker respectively. And for the first time, let me break my silence. To the moralist, it was not constitutional to have a preferred candidate but others were right. A Tinubu wouldn't hide his choice. The cabals surrounding Buhari advised Buhari otherwise and surely they had their way.
Soon after, late Audu picked James Faleke, a two-term chairman and three-term Reps member as his running mate. Many were quick to term it 'Tinubu arrangement'. In short, Audu died on the eve of the announcement of result and as they were trying to sort things out, the names of Yahaya Bello, who left the state after he had lost the primary and didn't vote on election day was ‎submitted as a replacement for the deceased candidate by Odigie-Oyegun on the order of the 'president's men'.
Before the Ondo APC primaries, Tinubu endorsed his longterm friend and business associate, Dr Olusegun Abraham. Many people, most of whom had visited Bourdillon to seek his endorsement but didn't get it, were angry. They ganged up against the father of Iyaloja -won n boke sote, oke o jé, oke o mu..." Two of them, both lawyers, the youngest being 62, who had enjoyed Asiwaju's unstoppable benevolence, began the war whose end they may not see. Tunji Abayomi, whose biography cannot be written without the mention of Asiwaju, wrote a letter, advising Asiwaju 'not to impose' candidate on them. Ever since the death of late Ade Adefarati, Tinubu has been the sole financier of the progressives in Ondo, every now and then, they run to him for political and financial assistance and he has never failed them. Trust Tinubu, he fired back, exposing the 'furo' of an 'adie'. But let's come to think of it: is there no difference between impose and endorse. As that was not enough, Akeredolu, who Tinubu brought to political reckoning in Ondo State, fired another salvo published on the election day in Punch. Like he predicted, he shocked Tinubu. Through the help of some renegades, the delegates' list was manipulated and Aketi 'won' the ticket. Some aspirants, especially Olusola Oke who was the first to discover the fraud, petitioned the party and it set up a panel of 11 men -six of the members, having discovered the fraud, voted for a fresh primary while five voted against it. Oyegun, acting another script, submitted the names of Akeredolu, while the party was still looking for solution to the issue. Tinubu, never found wanting, wrote a long letter, accusing Oyegun and his ilks of plans to pollute the change the party campaigned for. The letter sent jitters than the spine of many political observers. Why should anybody blame Olusola Oke for defecting to the Alliance for Democracy to realise his ambition? He was not satisfied with a process and he followed the rules only for one old man to 'veto' everything.
When he 'imposed' people like Muiz Banire and Odigie Oyegun as national legal adviser and national chairman of APC respectively, it was a good decision.‎ When he made this same Muiz Banire as commissioner, at age 32, it was a good thing. Banire, now a SAN, is now out to settle scores because his hope of becoming Lagos governor was dashed. He is angry with Tinubu, his mentor, just like Fashola, Fayemi and others. But was it Tinubu that dashed his hope? No! It was agitation for a christian governor that threw up Ambode. Only last Thursday, I saw Banire's press statement, threatening that any attempt to withdraw the ticket from Akeredolu would be resisted.
To these dissidents, they are battle-ready to 'molest' their benefactors, forgetting that Tinubu is known for winning wars. This is not the first time he was betrayed but each time, he comes out stronger. Before the 2002 election, all his three ‎senators -Musiliu Obanikoro, Wahab Dosunmu and Adeseye Ogunlewe left him and he won his re-election and the senators lost their bids. In 2006, people also betrayed him and he won again. However, he is a true leader -he has a forgotten spirit. Femi Pedro, MOB, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Demola Seriki and host of others were forgiven for their mistakes.
In Asiwaju: Leadership in Troubled Times, edited by the trio of Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye and Segun Ayobolu, Bello, who was commissioner from 1999 till 2015 and now Secretary to the State Government of Lagos said: "Incidentally, some of Asiwaju's weaknesses come from those virtues he cherishes. His obsession with loyalty, love for the poor and respect for human rights as some of us his lieutenants have observed did sometimes prevent him from taking rightful but painful decisions. His love for loyalty has been exploited by some who claim to be more loyal to him to deal with their political enemies.
"Asiwaju is someone that listens. He is ever willing to concede to superior argument of his advisers. But where he is sure of his facts and the result he will get, he remains obdurate‎....
"In 2005, Asiwaju was about to introduce a new measure of opportunities into the civil service that was capable of destroying the civil service. Babatunde Fashola, his Chief of Staff was designated to formally announce the new decision. But he took Asiwaju on for several hours in his office. When Asiwaju remained obstinate, Dele Alake also went to meet him at home and took him on from midnight‎ to 5 am in the morning. When Alake left, Asiwaju was still adamant on his position. Two hours later, perhaps after reflection, Asiwaju bowed to superior argument and he called Fashola to stop the announcement.
"In early October 2006, the controversy over Fashola's choice as his successor-nominee was still raging seriously. Eight of his commissioners that were members of the inner circle within his cabinet with views that he respected on any matter thought they could persuade him against his choice. They rose from a meeting in Ikoyi one night and went straight to Asiwaju's house to inform him‎ that Fashola's choice would not sell as it would end up dividing the party and possibly cost us the 2007 election. Asiwaju annoyingly rose up and told the advisers: "He is the man for the job. If you will not help me carry him, I will do so on my own. Thank you." and that was the end of the matter. His response disarmed the commissioners and they had no choice but to follow him.
‎Written in the foreword of the book by Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Counci for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) is: "I have known Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for many years and since 2006, have interacted and worked closely with him. I have found in Asiwaju...an affable, humane and sincere personality who is forthright in his views and deeply committed to the lofty ideals that he believes in. He accords respect to each and everyone, irrespective of tribe and tongue; and remains a legendary bridge builder who has been able to foster understanding, amity and partnership across the variegated landscape of our collective existence...May Allah (SWT) grant Asiwaju guidance and support and bless his noble efforts in the service of humanity."
Despite the many people who have betrayed Asiwaju, there are still many, eggheads, who are still proud to be associated with the Lion. Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, Rauf Aregbesola, Dele Alake and host of others remain gidigba.
We just have to thank those who are misleading Buhari to continue - winners would emerge soon.

jagaban

Oranmiyan has always been a writer I love to read right from his Great Ife days. Great work there.

Hummmmmmm.. Nice write-up..... Political Scientist of our time

It's good hating the North as the 5% has made us to understand, though.

good write up. pls remind them.

Many never thought Tinubu enjoy so much goodwill even from those that aren't in same party with him (eg Yours faithfully)

Hmm, there is no doubting the fact that Jagaban is a strategist and dogged fighter bt he also has to accept that the A. P. C as it is now has become bigger than him and so he can't impose or have his way at will like he did with the A. D and later the A. C. N.

With more successes come more enemies and envies,and it's just a human nature stuff.

The northerners are more mature politically as u will never see them slight their benefactors at least publicly, they will always come together to achieve a particular aim irrespective of where they stand politically,a southerner can't use a northerner against his fellow northerner just like we saw in the last presidential elections. Southerners re specialists in this P. H. D(pull him down ) syndrome.

He erred big time teaming up with northerners to wrestle power from the president then because he ought to ve known that things may eventually turn our this way given the many experiences notable Yoruba men had in the "hands " of northerners who can't nd will never be loyal to anyone else other than to a fellow northerner like himself.

TonyeBarcanista:
Many never thought Tinubu enjoy so much goodwill even from those that aren't in same party with him (eg Yours faithfully)

The man is an enigma.

In fact the Oyegun debacle has won Jagaban many new fans in the North as the injustice was too clear to see, and Tinubus wisdom and maturity in handling the issue was, like Jega, quite firm, effective and impressive.

A toxic character like Wike or Fayose would have handled the Oyegun situation so poorly that APC would have been in pieces by now instead of coming together as one family to celebrate their leader's book launch like they did yesterday.

But you can only admire from a distance Tonye...Jagaban is APC and APC is Jagaban.

MONITZ:

He erred big time teaming up with northerners to wrestle power from the president then because he ought to ve known that things may eventually turn our this way given the many experiences notable Yoruba men had in the "hands " of northerners who can't nd will never be loyal to anyone else other than to a fellow northerner like himself.

Are you suggesting that Tinubu should have allowed this country to be looted to destruction because of a phantom southern loyalty?

Where is the southern contract that was violated?

@ relegation: Yes the APC now accommodates more interests than what subsisted when he was in his regional ACN, but to suggest that the North has any agenda against Jagaban (a title given to him by the North) is a lie from the pit of hell and only exists in the imaginations of the relegated Jonathanians.

fulanimafia:

In fact the Oyegun debacle has won Jagaban many new fans in the North as the injustice was too clear to see, and Tinubus wisdom and maturity in handling the issue was, like Jega, quite firm, effective and impressive.

He will emerge victorious, he handled Abacha, OBJ and GEJ victoriously.

fulanimafia:


Are you suggesting that Tinubu should have allowed this country to be looted to destruction because of a phantom southern loyalty?

Where is the southern contract that was violated?

@ relegation: Yes the APC now accommodates more interests than what subsisted when he was in his regional ACN, but to suggest that the North has any agenda against Jagaban (a title given to him by the North) is a lie from the pit of hell and only exists in the imaginations of the relegated Jonathanians.

Politics is all about interests,so if he thought his interests would be taken care of by the amalgamation of the parties then he shouldn't complain now that he has been out-schemed.

And which contract re u referring to and is the country any better now ? Is the looting that the opposition are wont to always point out as a flaw of the last administration still not happening now albeit secretly.

They re planning to borrow to fund our budget,so Wat happens to the monies realised from scrapping fuel subsidy, nobody is even saying a thing abt that money nor asking questions because they think everyone is a "zombie"

Is it still not obvious to u yet that so many obstacles were thrown in the way of the last administration with intent to discredit and embarrass it? a very good example is the "Chibok girls and Boko haram" scourge,more than a year into the life of this administration the girls re yet to still be found and with very slim hope of ever seeing the girls again because nobody and I mean no school girl got missing in the first place,and with a particular northern governor regaling us with tales of the girls being in underground bunkers, what a load of bunkum!,wat an irresponsible statement for a leader to make ?If u know where they re then y ve our security forces not stormed the place?Hmmm,i guess "oga presido" now knows that ; uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, always easier said than done for on-lookers or passers-by. It is glaring that he has nothing to offer, he is as confused as the citizenry too with his one-step forward and four-steps backward policies.

He cane with no concrete plans or blue-print on how to turn things around esp as he had contested severally and lost in the past ,he only cane to fulfil a long time ambition of becoming president once more before he takes his final bow.


Would any of ur ilks in the north ve treated Jagaban this way if he was one of u? Spare me the crap on how his current debacle has won him more loyalists in the north because the north care abt no one else other than themselves. Truthfully like he said, he was just used as a vehicle to get to their destinations and having achieved that aim they now feel it's time they did away with him. .

Continue living in denial that Jagaban is still the leader of the party, of Wat use is a general without the paraphernalia of war. My dear Jagaban knows better that the party structure is gradually being taken away from him and his influence is being whittled down and these were the reasons for his recent outburst.

If u had said he is a fighter and strategist and probably has some tricks up his sleeves then I would understand and not that ur wishy-washy write-up.

MONITZ:


Politics is all about interests,so if he thought his interests would be taken care of by the amalgamation of the parties then he shouldn't complain now that he has been out-schemed.

And which contract re u referring to and is the country any better now ? Is the looting that the opposition are wont to always point out as a flaw of the last administration still not happening now albeit secretly.

He has not been out-schemed and his interests are still being WELL taken care of by the strategic alliance. Tinubu still has a warchest of appointees as the Vice-President is from his camp as well as several other ministers and HOA's including the FIRS chief, added to his Lagos state etc., which essentially implies that Jagaban remains a powerful player in the APC and the larger political space, who has benefited and continues to benefit immensely from his defeat of the corrupt and inept Jonathan and role in enthroning the current government of the land.

The contract I was referring to is the one which you apparently assume exists, that requires Tinubu to be loyal to a southern Presidential candidate as against a Northern one, especially when that southern one is an irredeemably corrupt, weak, incompetent and clueless President that set Nigeria on the path of this recession and was on the way to looting the entire country to its destruction.

MONITZ:

They re planning to borrow to fund our budget,so Wat happens to the monies realised from scrapping fuel subsidy, nobody is even saying a thing abt that money nor asking questions because they think everyone is a "zombie"

Is it still not obvious to u yet that so many obstacles were thrown in the way of the last administration with intent to discredit and embarrass it? a very good example is the "Chibok girls and Boko haram" scourge,more than a year into the life of this administration the girls re yet to still be found and with very slim hope of ever seeing the girls again because nobody and I mean no school girl got missing in the first place,and with a particular northern governor regaling us with tales of the girls being in underground bunkers, what a load of bunkum!,wat an irresponsible statement for a leader to make ?If u know where they re then y ve our security forces not stormed the place?Hmmm,i guess "oga presido" now knows that ; uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, always easier said than done for on-lookers or passers-by. It is glaring that he has nothing to offer, he is as confused as the citizenry too with his one-step forward and four-steps backward policies.

The jokes write themselves on this forum. The girls never went missing? So in your mind all the visuals of the captured girls and the global support for their recovery were all what? Is the agitation for their release is still not ongoing and still an embarrassment and distraction to this government? Who then is more confused than the person that says the Chibok case was political and meant to spite Jonathan?

MONITZ:

He cane with no concrete plans or blue-print on how to turn things around esp as he had contested severally and lost in the past ,he only cane to fulfil a long time ambition of becoming president once more before he takes his final bow.

Would any of ur ilks in the north ve treated Jagaban this way if he was one of u? Spare me the crap on how his current debacle has won him more loyalists in the north because the north care abt no one else other than themselves. Truthfully like he said, he was just used as a vehicle to get to their destinations and having achieved that aim they now feel it's time they did away with him. .

Continue living in denial that Jagaban is still the leader of the party, of Wat use is a general without the paraphernalia of war. My dear Jagaban knows better that the party structure is gradually being taken away from him and his influence is being whittled down and these were the reasons for his recent outburst.

If u had said he is a fighter and strategist and probably has some tricks up his sleeves then I would understand and not that ur wishy-washy write-up.

General Buhari came at a divinely appointed time to rescue Nigeria from the total destruction that was assured if the looting spree that was the hallmark of the previous ogogoro administration had continued while the oil price sank and foreign reserves were being emptied amidst a mono economy, and he is putting in a sincere effort with Tinubu's full support so you can save all that hogwash for the gutter.

fulanimafia:


The man is an enigma.

In fact the Oyegun debacle has won Jagaban many new fans in the North as the injustice was too clear to see, and Tinubus wisdom and maturity in handling the issue was, like Jega, quite firm, effective and impressive.

A toxic character like Wike or Fayose would have handled the Oyegun situation so poorly that APC would have been in pieces by now instead of coming together as one family to celebrate their leader's book launch like they did yesterday.

But you can only admire from a distance Tonye...Jagaban is APC and APC is Jagaban.

@Emboldened: Nothing is impossible in politics

If Tinubu's name were a moniker on Nairaland, I wonder how many mentions he would get in a day. It is clear he has become the main issue in Nigerian politics.

The writer wrote glowing about the benevolence of Tinubu and how he had nurtured so many politicians. But the writer failed to acknowledge that Tinubu had recouped every dime he had spent on wining elections and has benefited exceedingly from the men he fixed into political offices.

What is happening to Tinubu is the coming of age of his political 'students'. They seem to have learnt enough from the grand master and want an opportunity to put what they have learnt to test. There is no better way to test their ability than to try and beat their 'teacher' at his own game?

They have won the first round and are poised to do further damage to their benefactor. Tinubu is slowly being asked to take the back seat and allow his 'students' a chance to grow.

Political treachery is as old as politics. Tinubu himself treacherously betrayed the leadership of the Alliance for Democracy to reach his current political height. Why the hullabaloo,when he is being fed the same galling meal he made others eat?

it is all this nonsense praises about the local champion called Tinubu that makes him overrate himself and misfire all the time. He should continue

Okay

#TrueTalk

Vintage you, Sikiru! The onus now lies on us as members of his school of thought to keep rallying support for him by resisting ever ounce of assault on him. An injury to him, is an injury to all Yoruba descendants

.....Yahaya Bello...... replacement for the deceased candidate by Odigie-Oyegun on the order of the 'president's men'.

Who are president’s men? Is this writer scare to use “on the order of Buhari?”

This Tinubu will never allow the good people of southwest to choose their preferred candidates! Politics of imposition

has killed you. Good for you.

Winning spirit at regional level is different from winning at central, at central you look like a serial loser.

I siddon de look how you will win this fight this time around!

Crap.

Tinubu is greater than the writer in every ramifications. Tinubu is his god. I supported GEJ last year, he lost, we moved on.

These image worshipers are slaves who love their chains.

This same writer wouldn't see anything wrong with him parking his car at burdillon by 6.am and returning home by 4:30 am the next day. Just to get approval to run for an office. Are some people Cursed?

Okay