Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2022 In Retrospect – Olasumbo Faseesin, Esq.
A man who had waited twenty three years and more, observing but practically involving himself in the game of power is right to have described his ambition as life long. Whatever interpretation, the man will remain unrepentant, stubborn, courageous and independent in fighting through to success.
Describing his ambition as life long only suggests he gave up chances to dream and desire a day like this in 2022 having walked boldly to inform President Muhammadu Buhari as well as Prof. Osinbajo whom he described as a General in his team.
It is no longer news that Tinubu has invested material and human resources to advance and realise dreams for people. In all the moves, he had good products to put forward anytime the need arises. Lagos state remains the case study! Do a simple but reasonable research to examine and evaluate the person of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You may be quick to conclude that Tinubu is favoured being a Lagos Politician. How about Bode George and others? His contemporaries too numerous to mention have also risen at some point but no one has been so relevant as Tinubu is today. Other people criticize Tinubu but fail to appreciate the place of God in his life. To even live up his ever desired place, describing same as life long ambition raises poignant questions. Beyond mundane interpretation of the unintelligent minds are voices pushing Tinubu above the storms of politics. Such inhibitions are not limited to characteristics of politics. Is Nigerian politics not embedded in backstabbing, betrayal, distrust, hatred and other funny antics?
Let Tinubu know for a fact that, Prof. Osinbajo is the least of many hurdles ahead. Like some have raised issues about his fragile health, age and stamina among other things. Do not forget ye good samaritans that we had a Musa Yardua and the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari whose debilitating health condition could not deny him the chance to preside over Nigeria.
While appreciating the comportment of Prof. Osinbajo who carefully but smartly embraced the declaration of Tinubu, I must acknowledge the reasonableness of such adventure. It is to tell the leadership of APC at the highest ront that the decision to contest Presidency is not only sincere but genuine. The enthusiasm displayed by Tinubu before President Muhammadu Buhari is not only laced with courage but also typical of a major stakeholder in the affairs of party politics in Nigeria. Some have suggested beyond rhetoric that Tinubu however intelligent could not have survived without group-thinking mechanism. This involving the likes of Prof. Osinbajo the current Vice President of Nigeria and a former attorney general of Lagos state when Tinubu governed.
Other questions arising from the hide and seek is whether or, not Prof. Osinbajo who has not made his intention known or, made declaration to contest any elective position would betray his former boss under whom he served.
While people predict, it is morally acceptable to expect that loyalty once earned must continue. This is the thinking of many sympathizers who feel Tinubu is more qualified to run than any other rank in the APC including Prof Osinbajo. This thinking might remain imaginative should forces combine otherwise the interests of Tinubu. But he who must build a house must first plant a foundation. Almost likened with the Paul and Appollo experience of planting, watering but God who determines increase. In term of foundation, no one would contest this painstaking efforts with Tinubu. Tinubu has consistently remained uncompromising, faithful and strategic against the opposition PDP. In the history of Nigeria, no politician since 1999 has galvanised the needed support against PDP to actualize and birth progressives in power. I need not mention several but severe political navigations orchestrated by Tinubu’s ingenuity to unseat the PDP who had beastly boasted to remain in power forever. Like they often chant, “power”.
Therefore, if a man had struggled twenty three years since 1999 transition and had not wept like President Muhammadu Buhari for a chance to preside over Nigeria until now, it is not only deserving but expected to admit the correctness in describing his ambition as not only “life long” but “life threatening”. This time, for me, is most likely the only opportunity Tinubu has to become Nigerian President after decades of political rehearsals through compatriots whom he saw to Olympia heights in politics. This generosity cannot be extinguished by a shove of hand. It matters that all right thinking individuals converge for meaningfulj interpretations of a life long ambition as described by the National Leader of APC and a presidential aspirant in the soon to play contest.
Let’s have your opinions? Happy New Year!
Olasumbo Faseesin, Esq.
