As the race towards the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria is gathering momentum, intrigues, political realignments and horse tradings are now becoming the order of the day.
As democrats and true citizens of this country, there are some fundamental questions we need to ask ourselves about the ‘presidential ambition of one of the ‘supposedly aspirants’ – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
These are;
- IS ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU QUALIFIED TO BE A NIGERIAN PRESIDENT ?
- WHO GAINS FROM HIS PRESIDENCY, THE ELITES, THE MASSES OR ASIWAJU HIMSELF ?
- WHO IS AFTER BOLA AHMED TINUBU?
He is eminently qualified to be the next Nigerian President as he has all it takes to lead the country to the next level going by his antecedents as a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as a former Governor of Lagos State.
ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU AND THE PRE-1999 POLITICS.
It would be recalled that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu wanted to be the Senate Leader after his success at the poll representing Lagos West Senatorial District at the Red Chamber. He sacrificed this exalted office because of his love for the Yorubas and Nigeria as a whole. The political calculation then was that if he emerges the Senate Leader, it would automatically affect the presidential ambition of the Late M.K.O.
He withdrew from being the Senate Leader after spending a lot of money and energy which later paved way for the emergence of Senator Iyorcha Ayu. He also supported and worked very hard in ensuring that the late M.K.O. emerge victorious at all costs.
He had in 1998 wanted to be a Senator after returning from the United States where he ran to after escaping from the Military Junta, Late Gen. Sanni Abacha but the then Leadership of the party (A.D.) asked him to drop his ambition for the governorship seat of Lagos state after considering the roles he played during the Pre- June 12 and Post- June 12 struggles. He gladly accepted this and we all saw what followed in terms of his monumental achievements.
This was repeated in 2007 when he won the primaries to represent the party in the Lagos West Senatorial Elections but faithfully gave the ticket to Senator Ganiu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS).
I’m convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Nigeria and Nigerians have a lot to gain from his presidency in 2023. He should be dragged into the race because of his antecedents as a detribalized Nigerian, a good Manager of human and material resources.
His wide knowledge of the economy combined with his international experience will do the magic.
It’s quite unfortunate though not unexpected that the major opponents of Asiwaju today are not opponents outside the party but those within. He isn’t the first to experience such and definitely won’t be the last.
IF NOT ASIWAJU, WHO IN APC ?
I stand to be corrected, no one within or outside the APC can match or compete with his political interplays. Some of these contenders had in one time or the other the beneficiaries of his dynasty.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will combine both his administrative dexterity and political sagacity to govern Nigeria. The nation’s unity and security of lives and property will be sacrosanct under his watch.
HIS OFFENCE:
The only offence purportedly committed by Asiwaju is that he has remains a Progressive throughout his political sojourn. Right from the days of Baba Awolowo till date.
Olukoya Adeniyi Rahman is the General Secretary of Asiwaju Grassroot Talks( AGT)Lagos State Chapter.
