APC Imbroglio: Is Bola Tinubu Guilty?
30 January 2017
By Abiodun Komolafe
ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk
Bola Ahmed Tinubu's call on John Odigie-Oyegun to resign as National Chairman
of All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly derailing from the path of
progressives continues to generate diverse opinions in the polity. The call,
rather than being misconstrued by Tinubu's antagonists should be seen for its
altruistic value and content. It is about saving the soul of a ruling party
that is still in its embryo.
But, while waiting to see how circumstances eventuate, some questions keep
bothering me and if they are answered dispassionately, they may help put the
understanding of the issue in proper perspective. Before all else, was Tinubu
wrong in endorsing a candidate? Better put, did he, as the National Leader of
a foremost party, do something he ought not to have done by allegedly asking
all the aspirants to work for his preferred choice (Punch, September 3, 2016)?
Also, and, in fairness to the facts, is Tinubu gradually losing out in
Nigeria's political space and what is the way out? As a matter of fact, what
has become of the ruling party in so short a space of time and where lies the
place of its founding fathers in all of this?
Well, while I may be insufficient at supplying answers to these troubling
questions, until proven otherwise, I hold the notion that Odigie-Oyegun was
either misunderstood, misrepresented or used by some principalities higher
than him. Again, until there is evidence to the contrary, I am also of the
firm belief that President Muhammadu Buhari is too decent a leader to be
involved in this messy and rather childish tricks that take nobody anywhere.
Having said that, Nigerians will agree with me that, on a good day, the
forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State is a rare privilege for APC to
present itself as a party of choice to the electorate. It is also an
opportunity to test the waters a la Nigerians' acceptance of its policies and
programmes, preparatory to 2019. With the situation of things however, one can
only pray it would not mess it up on the altar of some unbelievably
self-inflicted wounds. From all indications, Mimiko as the Contestant-in-Chief
looks well-prepared for the battle ahead and this ought to have spurred the
opposition into going into the race with a formidable team for the overall
purpose of enriching our democratic process. With Eyitayo Jegede, from a
Senatorial District which, among other considerations, is noted for having the
largest chunk of voters, as People's Democratic Party, PDP's governorship
candidate; and John Ola Mafo, from an axis notorious for political
characterizations similar to Alimosho in Lagos State, Oke Ogun in Oyo State
and Florida in the United States of America, tentatively as Jegede's deputy,
the battle line is already drawn! While the import of these should not be lost
on objective observers, we also need to bear in mind that Goodluck Jonathan,
as fate would have it, is no longer in power. Impliedly, November 26, 2016
will most certainly follow a path different from the experience in Ekiti and
Osun States in 2014. Little wonder the outgoing governor has been running 'upandan'
to bung any inadequacy that is within his powers.
Kazi Shams was right when he described "half a truth" as "a whole lie." From a
state of denial to an overflowing scourge of anger, the troubling truth is
that we deceive ourselves a lot in this country and this adds more confusion
to the course of questions! Much as we would pretend not to know, life itself
is full of lessons. It is also full of surprises. But, if care is not taken,
one may concentrate more on the 'surprise' aspect of life to the detriment of
its lessons. Anyway, since memories are real, those who wish to be
unnecessarily emotions- and sentiments-driven should pause a bit and ponder
the roles of Pharaoh in the life of Joseph (Genesis 45:46); King Xerxes in
Mordecai's (Esther 10:3); Melchizedek in Abraham's (Hebrews 7); the Widow of
Zarephat in Prophet Elijah's (1 Kings 17: 7-16); and ask Nigeria's
exceptionally good liars and professional pretenders what they would do better
should they find themselves in Tinubu's shoes before casting the first stone.
Again, if history is an oracle we must consult in order to determine the
future, then, we need not forget in a hurry that, once upon a recent
experience in Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida, in crude and rude connivance with
some military top brass, not only endorsed Olusegun Obasanjo, they also
ensured that he succeeded Abdusalami Abubakar as Nigeria's president. Adams
Oshiomhole stood by Godwin Obaseki at the just-concluded governorship election
in Edo State. Even, Rotimi Akeredolu, the man in the eye of the storm,
reportedly had his campaign "bankrolled by Atiku Abubakar and some APC
bigwigs" (Vanguard, September 28, 2016). But for the luxury of time and space,
one can go on and on! So, who's fooling who?
To some schools of thought, Tinubu ought to have read the tea leaves
correctly, especially, given that the contestants paid to obtain Expression of
Interest and Nomination Forms. Well, since the rules of natural justice are so
fundamental that they don't have to be legislated, Odigie-Oyegun's interview
in Punch, August 21, 2016, has, in my considered opinion, settled that!
Yes! Nigeria is in challenging times and conventional prescriptions for her
ailments ought to be of interest to us as Nigerians. But, in the midst of the
monstrosity of the corruption that has tragically become Nigeria's defining
characteristic, Tinubu comes about as one leader who has given deep meanings
to democracy. Like him or hate him: he is a politician who has attained an
unprecedented level of political sophistication that can radically influence
the perception of governance in this once-so-beautiful-but-now-badly-damaged
microcosm. His gift of being able to make the right choices is superb as one
could see in his preference for Babatunde Fashola and Rauf Aregbesola as Lagos
and Osun State Governors respectively. With the benefit of hindsight, Fashola
not only performed, he eventually became the APC poster boy in the last
election. And while Aregbesola, on his part, has succeeded in unselfishly
redefining governance in my home state, he is also patriotically preparing the
'Land of Virtue' for the future and, when its fruits blossom forth, they will
be to the gapes of Nigerians.
Another worthy example of Tinubu's ability to identify talents is his choice
of Akinwunmi Ambode as Fashola's successor. Surely, Ambode's ongoing silent
revolution in modernizing Lagos, especially, with the expansion of road
networks and redesigning of bus stops to ease traffic congestion, is a step in
the right direction. Kudos must also be given to this forward-looking Nigerian
for making Buhari's aspiration possible after three futile attempts. And, do
we need to discuss the success of his business ventures? Without being
immodest, facts on ground have already spoken! For the patriotism he has
expressed as well as his enormous contributions to the development of
democracy in Nigeria, methinks this sagacious and perspicacious politician
deserves encouragement, not disparagement; and solidarity, not brickbats.
From my perspective, politics as a game of interest and numbers goes beyond
vote casting and party affiliation. Maybe that's why some people see politics,
especially in Africa, as 'the shortest road to financial freedom.' The point I
am trying to make here is that though, the system in vogue in Nigeria may at
the moment be defective and frustrating, all through history, those who who
came out of it smoking were those who were able to master its 'by-the-minute'
difficulties, frustrations, and, not unexpectedly, its success stories while
those who could not have always had themselves to blame. And that's the real
deal!
Finally, let's pray that life, times, even travails of Bola Ige would treat
our leaders to some salient lessons in season.
May powers and personalities, assigned to derail Nigeria's beautiful
destiny, wither!
©
EsinIslam.Com
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