Hello Friends!
My opinions are totally rumbled up in respect to this analysis of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
On Thursday, March 29, 2012, when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned 60, major Nigerian newspapers carried adulating advertorials and tributes, congratulating him.
This was particularly true of The Nation, followed by THE PUNCH. It was the peak of weeklong celebrations, which included cultural performances, a gala night, a festival of prayers, and a colloquium, titled “Looking Back, Thinking Ahead”. The events drew the nation’s political and business elite, thus confirming Tinubu as a national political heavyweight.
A notable feature of the accolades was their use as launching pads for various projects. Many Action Congress of Nigeria governors thanked him for his mentorship and contributions to their political careers. ACN governorship aspirants used their advertorials to curry favour and solicit Tinubu’s endorsement.
A notable feature of the accolades was their use as launching pads for various projects. Many Action Congress of Nigeria governors thanked him for his mentorship and contributions to their political careers. ACN governorship aspirants used their advertorials to curry favour and solicit Tinubu’s endorsement.
Yet others, including statesmen, political rivals, and business associates used theirs to demonstrate political correctness. Above all, relatives and close friends used their advertorials to genuinely celebrate a productive life.
A common thread through the accolades is the celebration of Tinubu’s political achievements.They include his service as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1992-94); his key role as a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition that confronted Abacha’s tyranny (1993-98); his participation in the activities of National Democratic Coalition and Egbe Omo Yoruba of North America while he was exiled abroad (1994-98); his services as a two-term Governor of Lagos State (1999-2007); his founding of the progressive Action Congress of Nigeria, which he led into various electoral victories at federal, state, and local government levels across the nation. Of particular significance is winning the control of South-West states, except Ondo where the Labour Party holds sway.
In typical Nigerian political culture, many chieftaincy titles have followed Tinubu’s political achievements, including Asiwaju of Lagos; Agba Akin of Ijeshaland; Aare of Ile-Oluji; Aare Atayese of Ilawe Ekiti; Jagaban of Borgu; and Ezeobaludikegwu of Oko. Added to this list is a unique political title, “The Governor Emeritus of Lagos”.
The political achievements also attracted various epithets in the advertorials.
A common thread through the accolades is the celebration of Tinubu’s political achievements.They include his service as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1992-94); his key role as a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition that confronted Abacha’s tyranny (1993-98); his participation in the activities of National Democratic Coalition and Egbe Omo Yoruba of North America while he was exiled abroad (1994-98); his services as a two-term Governor of Lagos State (1999-2007); his founding of the progressive Action Congress of Nigeria, which he led into various electoral victories at federal, state, and local government levels across the nation. Of particular significance is winning the control of South-West states, except Ondo where the Labour Party holds sway.
In typical Nigerian political culture, many chieftaincy titles have followed Tinubu’s political achievements, including Asiwaju of Lagos; Agba Akin of Ijeshaland; Aare of Ile-Oluji; Aare Atayese of Ilawe Ekiti; Jagaban of Borgu; and Ezeobaludikegwu of Oko. Added to this list is a unique political title, “The Governor Emeritus of Lagos”.
The political achievements also attracted various epithets in the advertorials.
They include “master strategist”; “agent of progress”; “the leading light”; “a worthy leader”; “visionary and selfless leader”; “indefatigable and resourceful national leader”; “a colossus”; “an icon”; “the Lion of Bourdillon”; and “Asiwaju of the Universe”. Tinubu’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, topped the accolades with “Olu Omo”.
The accolades also showcased Tinubu’s generosity and strategic prowess, even before he became governor. His philosophy of friendship never changed since I knew him in 1984 through a mutual friend, Chief Pius Oluwole Akinyelure:
The accolades also showcased Tinubu’s generosity and strategic prowess, even before he became governor. His philosophy of friendship never changed since I knew him in 1984 through a mutual friend, Chief Pius Oluwole Akinyelure:
If you are Tinubu’s friend, your problem automatically becomes his. His generosity in those early years ranged from paying for our lunch and drinks to loaning out his car and opening up his Ilupeju residence to close friends as a meeting point for socialising and talking about economic and political developments.
His strategic prowess was evident in those early political discussions. In one of them, he foresaw many years of military rule shortly after Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) took over power from President Shehu Shagari, and predicted that it would take a strong coalition of civil society organisations led by committed democrats to wrestle power from the military. It was not surprising to me that he later became one of those committed democrats.
Does Tinubu deserve the accolades? Some political opponents and disillusioned pundits would say no. But many impartial observers of contemporary Nigerian politics would say yes. There are at least three reasons for endorsing the latter position.
His strategic prowess was evident in those early political discussions. In one of them, he foresaw many years of military rule shortly after Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) took over power from President Shehu Shagari, and predicted that it would take a strong coalition of civil society organisations led by committed democrats to wrestle power from the military. It was not surprising to me that he later became one of those committed democrats.
Does Tinubu deserve the accolades? Some political opponents and disillusioned pundits would say no. But many impartial observers of contemporary Nigerian politics would say yes. There are at least three reasons for endorsing the latter position.
First, Tinubu actively participated in prodemocracy advocacy and in Egbe Omo Yoruba activities while he was exiled in the United States. Second, he gallantly withstood the Peoples Democratic Party’s onslaughts on Lagos, especially in 2003 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo reached a deceptive pact with the leadership of Afenifere and Alliance for Democracy.
Third, realising the death of the AD and determined to curb PDP’s excesses, Tinubu worked with others to establish a mega party and finally founded the ACN, which he then used as a political platform to regain the South-West from the PDP. Finally, Tinubu successfully groomed successors and loyal followers.
Say what you will about his tactics and political ambitions, these were monumental political achievements.
There have been various speculations about Tinubu’s ambitions.
There have been various speculations about Tinubu’s ambitions.
A popular one is that he wants to be the undisputed leader of the Yoruba people. Indeed, the title was already conferred on him in some tributes.
The attempts to convert the Labour Party Governor of Ondo State, Segun Mimiko, to the ACN have been viewed as Tinubu’s attempt to conquer the entire South-West and use the victory as evidence of unrivalled control of the zone.
The campaign for Yoruba integration is viewed as an attempt to disguise this hidden agenda.
To be sure, Yoruba integration is a desirable project and it should be pursued. However, a single political party across the South-West is not a necessary and sufficient condition for Yoruba integration.
To be sure, Yoruba integration is a desirable project and it should be pursued. However, a single political party across the South-West is not a necessary and sufficient condition for Yoruba integration.
At least, not at this time when there really is no ideological difference between ACN and LP. Besides, given what we know of past dominant parties in the South-West, what assurance is there that the ACN would maintain perpetual dominance?
The conflation of the expansion of ACN’s fortunes with a Yoruba agenda will negatively affect the party’s national stature by portraying it as a Yoruba party, thus opening it up to the misfortunes of the AD and its historical progenitor, the Action Group.
The conflation of the expansion of ACN’s fortunes with a Yoruba agenda will negatively affect the party’s national stature by portraying it as a Yoruba party, thus opening it up to the misfortunes of the AD and its historical progenitor, the Action Group.
The uncritical adulations displayed in many tributes during the past week reveal the dangers of a single party across the South-West dominated by an idolised leader.
Leadership idolisation breeds sycophantic following, which often shields the leader from the truth. The leader’s attempt to build loyal followers also breeds uncritical selection of candidates for office. Yet, these practices run counter to Tinubu’s professed democratic values and progressive ideology.
That’s why in highlighting Tinubu’s political achievements at 60, his attention should be drawn to needed improvements.
Leadership idolisation breeds sycophantic following, which often shields the leader from the truth. The leader’s attempt to build loyal followers also breeds uncritical selection of candidates for office. Yet, these practices run counter to Tinubu’s professed democratic values and progressive ideology.
That’s why in highlighting Tinubu’s political achievements at 60, his attention should be drawn to needed improvements.
An inclusive leadership style is needed that will allow for vigorous debate and self-criticism.
The ACN should pursue a national agenda rather than a parochial zonal leadership. Above all, the process of choosing candidates for elective offices should be fully democratised. Democracy is never served by imposition of candidates however well intentioned.
These are the paths to follow if Tinubu wants the accolades to be encored when he turns 65. Although that is only one election cycle away, it is enough time in politics to change the equation for better or for worse.
What do you think?
Source: The Punch...
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
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