From the sublime to the ridiculous there is only one step.”Thomas Paine, 1737-1809. (VANGUARD BOOK OG QUOTES, p236).

This time last year, he was the toast of Nigerian politics; the man who had stitched together the contraption called the All Progressives Congress, APC, almost single handedly, to score the first major upset of a sitting African President. No exaggeration of his political sagacity and his brilliance and strategist was regarded as excessive. He was the all-conquering hero and Buhari was just the tool for the realisation of his ambition to rule Aso Rock.

Even the questions raised by some of us regarding the sustainability of the political machine he helped to put together was largely ignored. “In times of victory, prophets are unnecessary distractions”, according to Professor Trevor Roper (VBQ p 204). Still, as far back as August 2013, writing on these pages, long before the choice of presidential candidate was made under the title “IS APC THE ANSWER?” the point had been made then that Nigerians might be going to the polls to vote for an alliance based on fear rather than love. Below are excerpts from that article which is proving prophetic in many respects. Is APC, as presently constituted, the answer? My answer for now is: perhaps not. We may need another political party.

That answer will probably shock a lot of people who had assumed that as a long-term critic of the PDP, I would naturally embrace any political association, especially one that has arrogated to itself the word “PROGRESSIVE”. The reason my enthusiasm for APC is less than expected lies in the fact that my readings in semantics had taught me to disregard the words people use to describe themselves and to focus on what they have done, or causes they have been known to support and their utterances on important matters.

Lastly, I am more interested in character, or its synonym, integrity. Looking closely at the leaders of the APC, it is doubtful if all of them will pass the test of integrity. Few, if deeply probed, will fail to change their designer suits for prison attire. But, my biggest worry lies in the fact that APC, even so early in the day, is like a structure resting on two major pillars; each deeply flawed.

APC remains ACN and CPC or, more candidly, Bola Tinubu and Buhari – with a lot of political appendages or even jesters attached. Character flaws in some of the leaders are so deep as to frighten me at the prospect that power might shift to them. Few of them believe in and practice democracy within their own organisations or in the areas they control and with the exception of two, there has been little really “progressive” about the governance in their domains.

The question that bothers my mind can be summarized this way: will I be happy if Nigeria is delivered to a political party led by con-men? The answer is: I doubt it….” It has been necessary to go so far back into the short history of this political machine and what I thought about them right from the start in order to reach the present and observe how soon the political contraption carefully engineered with expediency, but devoid of principles or shared values, is breaking down right in front of our eyes.

Meanwhile, any sympathizer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who thinks the self-destruction of the APC will pave the way for the return of the PDP is living with self-delusion. APC and PDP have broken down irreparably and the politicians in the two will find it almost impossible to unite after this. All what had gone before leads us inexorably to the Leader of the APC – who had once again become the centre of attraction in the drama playing out within the APC. Two years ago, nobody would have whispered in his bedroom that Asiwaju should leave the APC because he was totally indispensable then.

Today, some people are shouting from the roof tops what nobody would dare suggest in 2014. When the late English Prime Minister, Harold Wilson said in the 1970s that “A week is a long time in politics”, he raised eyebrows but not anymore. Today, especially in Nigeria, two years would appear to be like eternity. It is bad enough they no longer tremble when he talks; some are now talking back – directly or through surrogates. They have decamped.

Knowing Bola Tinubu, he will fight back. But, before he starts rebuilding his siege engine, he would need to know one thing he missed which brought about his present predicament. Sam Rayburn, 1882-1961, the Texan, longest and most powerful Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, once made the observation that in politics “there are some people who it is better to keep on the inside pissing out, than on the outside pissing in.

To reach this stage, Asiwaju had allowed several individuals formerly pissing out to get out and to start pissing in – names withheld for now. Secondly, he had fielded the same “team” for too long. Most were picked from obscurity and made prominent and they remained loyal until they became “stinkingly” rich and developed their own political bases. They were no longer the willing “errand boys” he started with. And, they will not follow him into the trenches for the next battle. He needs new soldiers for that one. Meanwhile, he should not forget that “the only battle that counts is the last one.

That he has been badly treated is not in doubt. But, also not in doubt is the growing resentment against his imposition of candidates and his contemptuous disregard for the feelings of the indigenes of Lagos State – presumably his own state. Two examples will illustrate the point about contempt. No other Governor of any state since 1999 had ever appointed a non-indigene to the position of Chief of Staff – the second most important in the state. Bola Tinubu not only appointed Lai Mohammed, from Kwara State, to that position, but proceeded to appoint at least four other non-indigenes as Commissioners.

He had followed that with other selections which could only have been made by someone assured of absolute power – and we all know what that means. His attempt to “export” that impunity to other states is major reason he is in the present predicament. And, he runs the risk of more embarrassments. Lastly, at least for now, Asiwaju ignores the fact of current political life in Nigeria. Before, those seeking appointments and contracts, in the South-West, headed for Ikoyi.

Today those in pursuit of Federal appointments have a choice of Vice President, Ministers, Special Advisers from the zone to run after. Not only has he lost the monopoly of power of patronage, an increasing number of people seeking favours from Abuja now consider him a liability. The more the perception grows that he is at loggerheads with Buhari the more isolated and an outcast he will become within the house he laboured so hard to build.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/asiwaju-bola-tinubu-crossroads-politically/

He can even carry cross if he wants, he still will never influence anyone outside of SW.

He danced the dance of shame, let him sleep out in the cold alone.........

I believe the shabby treatment being metted out to Tinubu should be condemned by all men of good concience... Thats . ALL!

I feel for Tinubu Shaaa. It's hurts when you are the conveyer of a vision, idea and you get booted off after you have actualized it. Tinubu should have shown interest in being the National Chairman, the position National Leader is nothing but a ceremonial one.

All Tinubu's ally suddenly turned on him. I know all is well as Buhari since he became president has never paid Lagos an official visit. A whole Lagos, an economic republic on its own. The last one Ambode spent billions painting our street with, Mr integrity is coming, posting huge banners and painting the whole of third mainland bridge with Buhari's face , he sent Osinbajo.

Biafman:
He can even carry cross if he wants, he still will never influence anyone outside of SW.

See pure envies

There is no equal of tinubu politically in modern day Nigeria.

In my opinion, i think Tinubu has a grand plan against the north for 2019. He will align with the SS/SE and make sure we wrestle power from the north who believes they are born to rule. Nobody can keep Tinubu in check. He has fought and won several political battles. I trust him to lure fhe the southeast with igbo presidency to gain their co-operation. Will he flaunt another party? Time will tell

Bethelwealthy:
He danced the dance of shame, let him sleep out in the cold alone.........

Chai

We are different from you Guys

We are not for sale

We stand and Identify with our own

Pray that you achieve quatre of what this great man

achieved in life

TPAND:
I feel for Tinubu Shaaa. It's hurts when you are the conveyer of a vision, idea and you get booted off after you have actualized it. Tinubu should have shown interest in being the National Chairman, the position National Leader is nothing but a ceremonial one.

All Tinubu's ally suddenly turned on him. I know all is well as Buhari since he became president has never paid Lagos an official visit. A whole Lagos, an economic republic on its own. The last one Ambode spent billions painting our street with, Mr integrity is coming, posting huge banners and painting the whole of third mainland bridge with Buhari's face , he sent Osinbajo.

Am a buhari fan to the core

But will definitely choose my own son if the need be

I can never trade mine for anyone no matter what.

sarrki:


Am a buhari fan to the core
But will definitely choose my own son if the need be
I can never trade mine for anyone no matter what.

So in other words, you support APC & Buhari's sidetracking and ill-treatment of Tinubu

TPAND:


So in other words, you support APC & Buhari's
sidetracking and ill-treatment of Tinubu

Bros read it again

I will choose tinubu a thousand time of the need be

sarrki:


Bros read it again

I will choose tinubu a thousand time of the need be

Understood. Thanks for further clarification.

We all make mistake sometimes, pray God gives him chance and means to correct this huge one

GeeOh:
We all make mistake sometimes, pray God gives him chance and means to correct this huge one

GBAM

Jagaban made some political blunders..believe say he suppose don learn by now..
He forget say..immediately bubu become president...bubu don turn him master..e come dey drag power with bubu..
Come dey call eimself leader..
Imagine jagaban conniving with. Ayiri to run legitimate bunkering..where bubu still tidy creeks..that one pain bubu..

Forget o jagaban too commit..but sha..bubu atleast for keep am in house..jagaban himself too loud the matter.
Why eim come dey attack Oyegun where be say na bubu e suppose call straighten matter..
And e know say na the hand of Jacob but the voice of Easu...based on say eim self don already commit.
Just say he forget his limit...and where he came from..
Come thinks say him don arrive..but all na politics sha..

Respect jagaban..you na our own sha..we know fit deny you.. we're with you..na political lesson for us..

fiizznation:
People are just making a mountain out of a molehill as far as this tinubu saga is concern. The two people at loggerhead with one another is tinubu and oyegun. If I want to define them by their region I will say south south vs southwest. So I still don't know why political infants are painting this saga as a 'tinubu vs buhari' or north vs southwest fight. I will never support impunity in whatever form and that's why tinubu's call for oyegun resignation will never be supported by party loyalists.

If tinubu have some kind of disagreement with oyegun over the coming ondo election, what is expected of him was to have a private talk with oyegun to see how they could settle the problem amicably. Running directly to the pages of newspapers to call for oyegun's resignation was simply silly. Oyegun whether tinubu like it or not is a heavyweight in APC, he have his own loyalists, he is a power broker in the APC. So I don't see how tinubu will want to dictate to such a person.

And again what I clearly observe with this tinubu brouhaha is that nobody is talking about the real issue that caused all the little drama in APC, rather mischievous elements have turned the entire drama to ridicule tinubu by reminding him about how they warned him about forming so sort of unholy alliance with the north. And the last time I checked, upcoming ondo election caused the disagreements, and Mr oyegun is not from the north. So I still don't understand.

before pikin go slap him papa , E go don get backing from person wey go harbour am for house. All this people disrespecting Tinubu are doing it from the backing of the Fulanis. 1st was saraki, 2nd was Dino meleye , now oyegun. They must have had a secret meeting somewhere in Abuja to sideline him from the Abuja politics.

fiizznation:
People are just making a mountain out of a molehill as far as this tinubu saga is concern. The two people at loggerhead with one another is tinubu and oyegun. If I want to define them by their region I will say south south vs southwest. So I still don't know why political infants are painting this saga as a 'tinubu vs buhari' or north vs southwest fight. I will never support impunity in whatever form and that's why tinubu's call for oyegun resignation will never be supported by party loyalists.

If tinubu have some kind of disagreement with oyegun over the coming ondo election, what is expected of him was to have a private talk with oyegun to see how they could settle the problem amicably. Running directly to the pages of newspapers to call for oyegun's resignation was simply silly. Oyegun whether tinubu like it or not is a heavyweight in APC, he have his own loyalists, he is a power broker in the APC. So I don't see how tinubu will want to dictate to such a person.

And again what I clearly observe with this tinubu brouhaha is that nobody is talking about the real issue that caused all the little drama in APC, rather mischievous elements have turned the entire drama to ridicule tinubu by reminding him about how they warned him about forming so sort of unholy alliance with the north. And the last time I checked, upcoming ondo election caused the disagreements, and Mr oyegun is not from the north. So I still don't understand.

It did not begin with party primaries @ Ondo,it started with nomination of ministers to the Kogi debacle etc.

sarrki:


See pure envies

There is no equal of tinubu politically in modern day Nigeria.

Yes, there is nobody that has been to dominate a single region like tinubu . That is why he is a regional lord.

patriotic9jaboy:
In my opinion, i think Tinubu has a grand plan against the north for 2019. He will align with the SS/SE and make sure we wrestle power from the north who believes they are born to rule. Nobody can keep Tinubu in check. He has fought and won several political battles. I trust him to lure fhe the southeast with igbo presidency to gain their co-operation. Will he flaunt another party? Time will tell

There will be NO such alliance. The SS/SE will Never allign with the SW. Never again. The SW is alone in this battle and they will be eternally destroyed by the north. Mark my words....

Realman87:



There will be NO such alliance. The SS/SE will Never allign with the SW. Never again. The SW is alone in this battle and they will be eternally destroyed by the north. Mark my words....

Obiano is already thinking of joining APC Tinubu's party. Rochas is ready to work with Tinubu anytime. When i refer to ss/se, i mean the political elites not IPOB yoots like u

patriotic9jaboy:




Obiano is already thinking of joining APC Tinubu's party. Rochas is ready to work with Tinubu anytime. When i refer to ss/se, i mean the political elites not IPOB yoots like u

Tell them oooo

patriotic9jaboy:




Obiano is already thinking of joining APC Tinubu's party. Rochas is ready to work with Tinubu anytime. When i refer to ss/se, i mean the political elites not IPOB yoots like u

Obiano has debunked the lies. Rochas is NOT a fool. He is NOT an Afonja. The North CANNOT mess with any Easterner. They know this.
You should be ASHAMED of yourself. Now you want to join the very SS/SE you have always taunted on nairaland. The SS/SE you have always insulted. The very igbos that your Oba threatened and your brothers have always hated. You have NO principles and this is a typical Yoruba problem. SHAME ON YOU. The SS/SE will NEVER join The children of hate. Never....

sarrki:


Tell them oooo

You are deceiving yourself. Am from the SS and you must know that most SS tribes are easy-going but hardly forgive. Yorubas have betrayed Southern unity TWICE. Our leaders are not Afonjas' and they will NEVER lead us into slavery. Leave us out of your woes, Yaribas.....

the problem with tinubu is that he want to become president.

his personal interest is what matters to him and hence they cut him to size. he has lost it already.

the only thing that can save tinubu of this shame is to see if he can influence the whole southwest if they can all support regionalism. only if they will then just leave the rest for south south and south east. we will take it from there. otherwise tinubu is now powerless like obasenjo.

Realman87:



There will be NO such alliance. The SS/SE will Never allign with the SW. Never again. The SW is alone in this battle and they will be eternally destroyed by the north. Mark my words....

look stop this already....
don't let your hatred make you sound foolish...
was I subtle...ok
how retarded can you be?...


The alliance is - quote me anywhere-" the fear of the north"


@ topic Jagaban is a master piece, he's either out or in- he who makes knows how to break...

Raddie:

look stop this already....
don't let your hatred make you sound foolish...
was I subtle...ok
how retarded can you be?...


The alliance is - quote me anywhere-" the fear of the north"


@ topic Jagaban is a master piece, he's either out or in- he who makes knows how to break...

My friend, I speak the TRUTH. Zik did it before when he rejected awo and went with the north and we will do it again. The questions you must answer now are: Why does SW now want a southern alliance? Why didn't they want it in 2015? Please answer me...

Tinubu is politically dead at the federal level. He is a regional champion.

Realman87:


My friend, I speak the TRUTH. Zik did it before when he rejected awo and went with the north and we will do it again. The questions you must answer now are: Why does SW now want a southern alliance? Why didn't they want it in 2015? Please answer me...

same here bro... "SS don't want an alliance" - moreover if there were to be, between who and who... ?

I don't usually answer a Q with a Q, in your case I will, I believe i've answered your Qs'

now I believe I asked you a Q too...?

sarrki:


See pure envies

There is no equal of tinubu politically in modern day Nigeria.

Keep it up with your pseudo confidence and chest beating. Tinubu is about to be roasted like "agbado" and you are here forming sophistication. Keep the mumu flag flying you hear.