I read an article on Nairaland that drew comparism between Senate President Bukola Saraki and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Being a pro-pdp commentator and a campaigner for Saraki's Senate Presidency, some may expect me to naturally be on the side of the Saraki. But this will not be so because I can't live in self deception.

Yes, Bola Tinubu was a Senator, two term Governor of Lagos state and political godfather of the state. Saraki on the other hand is the incumbent SP, a two term Governor of Kwara state and the political godfather of the state. However, there are more to this.

[size=13pt]Senator Bola Tinubu[/size]
For those that aren't aware, Bola Tinubu rise to power as Lagos state governor in 1999 was associated with his 1993 democratic struggle against IBB first and later Sani Abacha. The AD 1999 contest was direct struggle between the favored late engineer Funso Williams and the political activist Bola Tinubu. Tinubu as at then had little political structure but somehow beat the late engineer to the AD ticket. In 2003 he somehow outsmarted some Afenifere leaders of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and got re-elected, all other five AD incumbent governors bowed to the power of PDP. He consolidated his hold on power by dismantling the existing Afenifere structure in the party by forming the Action Congress in 2006 with the absorption of two mushroom parties-Justice party(JP) and Advance Congress of Democrats (ACD). His leaving AD crumbled the party forever.

In 2006 Bola Tinubu led AC gave embattled Vice President Atiku Abubakar a political lifeline after the Turaki Alhaji was whipped to size by then President Olusegun Obasanjo. Atiku had to defect to AC along with his loyalist Governor of Adamawa state Mr Boni Haruna. Also to defect were Chief Audu Ogbeh former National Chairman of PDP from Benue state. During the 2007 election run-up, Tinubu media tried to polish Atiku's image to counter the negative image from the FG as Atiku was the AC Presidential candidate for 2007. Though Atiku won Lagos state in a landslide thanks to Tinubu structure, he lost Adamawa state (his home state) to Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku's AC candidate for the Adamawa guber election also lost woefully to PDP's Admiral Nyako.

In the run-up to 2007 general election, there was a major shakes in the Lagos state chapter of AC. Tinubu had "imposed" his unknown Chief of Staff Raji Fashola as his party's governorship candidate over heavyweights like Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Mr Jimi Agbaje, Hon Ganiyu Solomon, Dep Gov Femi Pedro etc. Jimi left to fly the flag of DPA, Pedro was given the flag of LP, Afikuyomi was given the ANPP flag(he later returned to AC on election eve) while Solomon was compensated with a Senatoral ticket of AC. Tinubu's AC still managed to win the Guber and all Senate seats. The unknown Raji Fashola became Governor courtesy Tinubu. Not just that, Bola Tinubu deployed his loyalists Rauf Aregbesola to Osun state to unseat incumbent Olagunsoye Oyinlola of PDP. Fayemi was also deployed to Ekiti state where he defeated Segun Oni (credit to Ayo Fayose support). It was Tinubu legal machinery led by Yemi Osinbajo that fought to help LP's Rahman Mimiko to unseat PDP's Segun Agagu. Adams Oshiomole had to seek refuge in AC in 2007 when he saw that the LP can't help him dislodge PDP from Edo Government house.

The 2010 Atiku's exit of AC gave Tinibu a major setback. Nevertheless, his AC/ACN managed to sweep all SW states but Ondo state and also got a Senatorial seat from PDP's stronghold-Benue state in the 2011 election. As at today, Bola Tinubu controls the APC structure in the entire South except Rivers and Imo states.

In his political sojourn, Bola Tinubu has churned out prominent names like Sen Musliu Obanikoro (a former ally and Commissioner under Tinubu), Raji Fashola (a former governor that rode to power via Tinubu's benevolence), Rauf Aregbesola (Incumbent Governor of Osun state), Kayode Fayemi (defeated exGovernor of Ekiti state), and even VP Yemi Osinbajo is in power thanks to Tinubu.

[size=13pt]Senator Bukola Saraki[/size]:
Saraki was a "mere" appointee of Obasanjo prior to the 2003 Governorship election. He won the PDP primaries courtesy Oloye Olusola Saraki, his father and political godfather of Kwara state. He was to be elected as Kwara state governor not on his own but solely on his father. His father had installed then Governor Lawal in 1999 and replaced him him Bukola in 2003. In 2010 Saraki declared for President. He along with IBB and Atiku Abubakar were the Northern PDP aspirants that sought to unseat President Jonathan in 2011. In same 2010 a Northern caucus within the PDP called for a consensus Northern candidate among the three northern aspirants. Atiku defeated Saraki and IBB to be the northern candidate for the PdP. Saraki pledged his allegiance to Atiku during the PDP Presidential primaries for 2011 election but Atiku lost WOEFULLY to incumbent Goodluck Jonathan. Saraki couldn't even influence other North Central PDP caucus apart from his Kwara to vote Atiku.

In 2011 Saraki's father wanted Bukola to go to Senate but Gbemi his daughter to become Governor. Saraki however had Abdulfattah Ahmed in mind. The truth is Saraki and his father played a fast one on Kwara people. The ACN candidate Muhammed Balgore was gaining momentum, Saraki's father had to play the Gbemi card by forming ACPN to confuse the electorates and split the ACN's vote. In fact, on June 5, 2011 just 8 days after Gov Ahmed was inaugurated , Olusola Saraki and Bukola Saraki "re-united" after Bukola "begged", the PDP and Pa Saraki ACPN merged as one BIG Family. Pa Olusola Saraki was again affirmed to be the leader of PDP in Kwara. Saraki and his sister Gbemi were to play the same trick in 2015. How? Gbemi remained in PDP after Saraki moved to APC in 2013. She caused lots of troubles and had her faction and then dumped PDP to APC on the eve of 2015 Presidential election after deliberately destroyed the party from within.

Saraki's ascension to Senate Presidency is not due to the political commando of Saraki but because he had to bend to PDP's compromise and also because PDP needed to neutralise APC's proposed structure. It would have infact been the reverse if Saraki was APC candidate and Lawan was the rebel. Also note that the power and influence of the Senate President starts and ends inside the Senate Chamber and the occupant's Senatorial district. In fact, Senators may elect to kick him out if he bites more than he can chew. Also looking at Saraki, with exception of Governor Ahmed I don't think Saraki can boast of any influential loyalist. Even Ahmed is not a force of influence among Governors like we have Rochas of Imo, Wike of Rivers, Amosun of Ogun, Ajimobi of Oyo, Fayose of Ekiti, Oshiomole of Edo, Shetimma of Borno, Obiano of Anambra etc.

Comparing Bola Ahmed Tinubu political influence with that of Bukola Saraki is like comparing an Eagle with a tse-tse fly simply because both have wings. Saraki's sycophant should not make him believe that he rose to SP seat on his own.


CAVEAT: This article is purely on the political influence of both men. It is not an endorsement of either party nor a statement of sainthood.

Nice piece, interesting read, devoid of sentiments and bias. I have always agreed with the OP on football issues since he's a Barcelona fan and on this, I agree completely too.

From his submission, betrayal seems to thrive well in Saraki family going by the fast one being played by Gbemi and Bukola on Kwara people.

One thing synonymous with both of them is godfatherism. While Tinubu has spread his tentacles majorly in Southwest, Bukola only controls his Fulani/Yoruba state.

I think Bukola is still a learner compared to Tinubu but I frown at what both of them stand for. We want a nation governed by people that would serve selflessly to reposition our country not individuals that are power-drunk, willing to stuff their houses, banks, private saves with our collective treasure.

For me, none of them is worth celebrating.

My brother, I wish you can be objective like this always.

We don hear

APC guys would be like "yees na we dey here, we dey here, na we get am"
APC- CHANNNGIIII

My prof, I got no comment!

jimmysho:
My brother, I wish you can be objective like this always.

The truth is that deep inside......the protection seeker can and is reasonable but....he has so far boxed himself into such a position that he now has to write silly articles in order to remain relevant......just wish he will be brave enough to be his real self again....

jimmysho:
My brother, I wish you can be objective like this always.

Errrm I can be partisan when necessary but that doesn't mean I throw away my sense of objectivity.

Barcanista i disagree completely. First of all, these guys are both politicians not some skilled footballer that solely depends on their flair, these guys depend on the ppl and are at the mercy of popular opinion, ones the ppl stop liking you no matter how smart and influential you once were you're done. Secondly, Saraki and Tinubu these guys both want to be president one day so the senate presidency and Tinubus fancy political résumé is just a means to an end, my point is from were we stand today saraki seems to be winning the war. Judging from recent events it will be safe to assume that the south east and south south will favour a saraki presidency over a tinubu one. Saraki also has a considerable amount of influence in the north that i believe he will stand a good chance even against tinubu, in the southwest tinubu has enough enemies that will undermine him and give saraki a whole lot respectable result even from that zone. In all tinubu was great once, but now he has passed his heydays and saraki is the new rising sun

Nice write-up barcanista.

i like this piece

pls why long epistle both godfathers in there area both formal governors tinubu a formal Senate but now saraki edge him by becoming senate presdo which tinubu will never smell for rest of his life

I smell a Fish.. Barcanista of all people... Hmmm

barcanista:
Errrm I can be partisan when necessary but that doesn't mean I throw away my sense of objectivity.

I appreciate your honesty and sincerity. The truth is we all can't be in the same boat, some are to give guardians to other vessels.

When one quit being partisan, it will be easy to say the truth.

temitemi1:
My prof, I got no comment!

I tut as much

Making sense

I don't have all the facts about how Buhari won but from what I can deduce from the recent happenings I am tempted to think some people feel Tinubu's role in Buhari election is exaggerated.

Will Buhari have won if Jega was not INEC chair? Did Jega craft a process to install his kinsman based on they are both from same axis? Is this why Tinubu is being cut to size?

How many votes did Buhari get in 2011 and how many did APC get in 2015 and hence is Tinubu really great as much as he thinks?

Time shall tell and the facts will be layed bare!

thinkdip:
We don hear
APC guys would be like "yees na we dey here, we dey here, na we get am" APC- CHANNNGIIII

LOL...Guy you funny Gan. Na we we oo

austinsmat:
pls why long epistle both godfathers in there area both formal governors tinubu a formal Senate but now saraki edge him by becoming senate presdo which tinubu will never smell for rest of his life

Dont be naive my friend, Ahmadu Bello never smelt the office of prime minister but the honour and regard he has in Nigeria and beyond is greater than that of our only prime minister Tafawa Balewa. Tinubu is far ahead of your Judas Isarakious

.

harde2lah:

LOL...Guy you funny Gan. Na we we oo

mikeansy:
I don't have all the facts about how Buhari won but from what I can deduce from the recent happenings I am tempted to think some people feel Tinubu's role in Buhari election is exaggerated.

Will Buhari have won if Jega was not INEC chair? Did Jega craft a process to install his kinsman based on they are both from same axis? Is this why Tinubu is being cut to size?

How many votes did Buhari get in 2011 and how many did APC get in 2015 and hence is Tinubu really great as much as he thinks?

Time shall tell and the facts will be layed bare!

Without A Tinubu, Buhari would not be President today... Tinubu deployed all his Arsenal to deliver the Ticket for Buhari against Atiku's Dollar and d G-5 governors including the traitor, Saraki...

There was no need for the comparison.

olatunji21:
I smell a Fish.. Barcanista of all people... Hmmm

There is no fish anywhere. Saraki is a member of APC that deploys treachery to gain whatever he wants. People like Saraki aren't ideal political allies that PDP needs (if only you have an idea what GEJ went through under Saraki and his gang since becoming VP). Like I used to say, the support of Saraki for Senate President was simply for the gains of PDP and also to neutralise APC's growing strructure (pure politics) and not because of I like Saraki. However, this discuss has nothing to do with PDP but to make comparism(which someone initiated).

Please read my caveat...

God bless you......saraki rose with the help of obasnjo and his father Tinubu in the other way round has no political God father

I don't care about Saraki or Tinubu because those two are part of the problem of Nigeria BUT the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

nerodenero:
Nice piece, interesting read, devoid of sentiments and bias. I have always agreed with the OP on football issues since he's a Barcelona fan and on this, I agree completely too.

From his submission, betrayal seems to thrive well in Saraki family going by the fast one being played by Gbemi and Bukola on Kwara people.

One thing synonymous with both of them is godfatherism. While Tinubu has spread his tentacles majorly in Southwest, Bukola only controls his Fulani/Yoruba state.

I think Bukola is still a learner compared to Tinubu but I frown at what both of them stand for. We want a nation governed by people that would serve selflessly to reposition our country not individuals that are power-drunk, willing to stuff their houses, banks, private saves with our collective treasure.

For me, none of them is worth celebrating.

you are right on point. In terms of godfatherism, Tinubu is light years ahead of Saraki. The Saraki I know is good at backstabbing and being cunny just like his father. Tinubu on the other-hand cannot be said to be backstabbing BUT he always make would-be beneficiaries of his political mastery to enter into a compromise that will see him attain more power, influence and money.

While Tinubu can be "accommodated", someone like Saraki should be watched carefully

barcanista:
Errrm I can be partisan when necessary but that doesn't mean I throw away my sense of objectivity.

that says it all. I might count myself as always being objectivity but with issues concerning Man U? Objectivity, takes the back seat. So I understand. This article have changed my views concerning you.

Someone talking with sense

Let's not forget
Tinubu's Media department


Tinubu's legal department

Barcanista God really saved you today.. Good news to you, your judgement is becoming less impaired by the day. I thought your thread would be the usual sentimental tirades, you would have been lashed by now. Please we need more of your positive and unbiased threads. This one is a real Eye-opener

zenith4biz:
Someone talking with sense

Nothing but the truth!