By Ibrahim Ola Balogun,
I read series of comments with regards to the NASS leadership tussle and APC crisis where some Nigerians posited that Tinubu’s political career is plummeting.
I simply said don’t bet against him…just like it was difficult to bet against Spartacus in gladiator fight in Capua, same is the case of Jagaban in Nigeria Politics.
As far as Bola, the illustrious son of Habibatu Magaji is concerned; we all belong to any of these four categories: you either want to be him, embrace and kiss him, stone him or kill him!
This was a man that some political godfathers in Lagos insisted would not contest the second term as Governor of Lagos…, he did not only contest against one of them in 2003 election but defeated them squarely and took over the political leadership in the State.
There were almost 51 governorship aspirants on the platform of AC in 2007, he supported an underdog, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was not even in the race.
The then dark horse did not only win the 2007 election convincingly but won a second term with ease. Same went for Akinwunmi Ambode.
He supported Rauf Aregbesola, and the almighty Olagunsoye Oyinlola was vanquished.
He did same for Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni was thrown out of Ekiti Governor’s House.
Just from a lone AD Governor in 2003, he became the single most powerful political strategist in the South-West against the entire Babas of the Afenifere. Like the invisible snake, ACN from Lagos crept into Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Edo.
When the likes of influential and dexterous Atiku with the overwhelmingly charismatic Kwankwaso contested against Buhari in one of the toughest primaries he ever participated; against all odds as- ‘Rain of Dollars’ Kwankwasiyya movement, Rochas vibrancy & oratory prowess and with Nda’s big ideas, Asiwaju’s support got GMB the party’s Presidential ticket!
No wonder, the PDP neither sponsored documentaries against the Turaki of Adamawa nor the Owelle of Owerri…, but against The Lion of Bourdillon and the amiable General of Daura- since the contest was between the ruling part y and duo of GMB and the Master Strategist.
Tinubu was the foremost face of the opposition in the country…. Call him any name; but those who know his worth will never underestimate him.
Obasanjo tried it in 2003-2007, now he has accepted that Jagaban cannot be wish away. Remember what Oyinlola said about him during the Aregbe/Oyinlola governorship tussle, but later turned around to give him a warm embrace. Ribadu made many ridiculous comments about the Jagaban, but eventually crawled back to him in 2010-2011, denying all he previously uttered. Fashola practically disowned him as the political godfather ahead of 2011 election, but soon discovered he did not possess the balls.
Over the years, many of us had thought Tinubu’s cup was full but he kept springing surprises against our pressumed impossibilities.
As a matte r of fact, the Turaki of Ilorin is indeed a political gladiator, for he truly sent the King Maker of Kwara, Olusola Saraki and his Council of Chiefs to early political retirement and relegation respectively.
Turaki Adamawa is undoubtedly a political heavy weight with a large war chest that virtually sent Obasanjo back to Otta earlier than planned; without reservation, Dogara certainly have a lot of Northern strong men behind him… and there remain many more power blocs within the APC, but I won’t put a bet against Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
To all commentators, would you for a while, stop parroting what you hear from the envy-prone politicians about Asiwaju, for each of them either wants to be him, embrace him, beat him or kill him. Asiwaju, the one who leads Frontally.
The only Yoruba son that deserves special reverence of the Balogun (Ebora) of Owu,
The Jagaban Borgu, I hail Thee. The Asiwaju of Nigeria, Iba re ooo!
Just before you call me names, remember that we all fall into those four categories….
Ola-Balogun is a Policy Analyst and Social Commentator