By Ayo Dada
Ahead of the ruling party’s convention on June 6, Mr Tinubu because of his outbust has made headlines for being the least likely to clinch the presidential ticket despite being the most prolific politician amongst the aspirants.
A frustrated and upset Asiwaju Tinubu while Addressing APC delegates at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, ahead of the party’s primary made some comments which did not seat well with many, they see the comments as beneath him and the office of the president for which he seeks. Below are some of his comments;
“I Told Buhari to stop crying, gave him hope; now he wants to erase me from history”
Bola Tinubu has lamented how he has been let down by Muhammadu Buhari after helping him to realise his life-long ambition in 2015, rallying the Yoruba people not to allow the Nigerian president succeed in making him an inconsequential page in history books.
“He tried first time and failed. He tried second time and failed. He tried third time and failed. He even cried on television that he will never run for president again,” Mr Tinubu said in Abeokuta while meeting APC delegates on Thursday afternoon. “I went to meet him and told him this is not a crying matter: ‘we will support you and you will be president’.”
Mr Tinubu, who addressed the audience in Yoruba for the most part of the event, said Mr Buhari was made president on the condition that he will never mess with Yoruba interests.
“I didn’t beg him for contracts, I never begged him for garri, I never begged him for fura and I never borrowed money from him,” Mr Tinubu said of Mr Buhari’s administration. “But I insisted it is Yoruba’s turn and when it comes to Yoruba it is my turn.”
“I don’t want them to just mention me in history books for nothing,” Mr Tinubu said.
The language Tinubu used for Governor Dapo Abiodun ‘eleyi’ (this one) was uncalled for and demeaning, it was as if he was addressing his domestic staff. It is rumored that Dapo Abiodun is one of those supporting Osinbajo for which Tinubu feels betrayed, but even then, a more presidential language would have been befitting, Dapo is the governor of a state.
Now, the thought that he is a master politician has been rubbished by his own actions. Why? Because now the cabal and Buhari know that he’s rattled and angry. This is the same Asiwaju that they are afraid of already before his outburst, the strategy will now be perfected to ensure that he doesn’t take over from Buhari, knowing well what it portends for them.
Things are not looking good for him. Tinubu has played into the hands of those who don’t want him to be president, it seems.
It was reported in some sections of the media that Akeredolu and the southwest governors are vehemently against Atiku’s PDP presidential candidacy and may challenge it in court, failing which they will back a Yoruba candidate from whatever party.
The south will not take another northerner as Nigerian president for the next 4 to 8 years, and they know it. Therefore, APC will most likely opt for a southern candidate.
Furthermore, from unconfirmed reports, it seems like the north is feeling the pushback from the southern governors, leaders, civil rights organizations and politicians for trying to foster another northerner as president on Nigeria after the 8 disastrous years of Mr. Buhari. Knowing that a northern candidate will not fly with southerners, it is likely that APC will choose their candidate from the south, most likely the southwest, with all fingers pointing to Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
I personally do not see how Tinubu’s outburst can be beneficial to his campaign to become APC’s consensus presidential candidate, not to talk of realizing his ambition to become President.
Yes, GOD it is that gives power to whom he pleases, but he uses people in doing so. This is also true in politics, the power game, as it is in every human endeavor, that people give power. In this instance, the power of incumbency controlled by people; can Tinubu take this on and win? I think not!
Therefore, the arrogance displayed by Tinubu’s speech, internationally or not, should have taken a back seat in his quest for power.
If one goes back to history, from Tafawa Balewa down to Buhari, it has been people, those in power, that have chosen the presidents and the heads of state in Nigeria, unfortunately so.
I am afraid, with this posture taken by Tinubu, the presidency he so much desires may be eluding or have eluded him after all.
In politics, it is not wise to dare those who will help you to power, not in this instance, where the odds are not favourable. These utterances may be his greatest undoing.
But then again, 1 day in politics is like 1 year, and 1 year, like 10 as anything can happen, is possible. Who knows?
The battle line has been drawn.
I wish him luck!
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