How Osinbajo’s Presidential ambition is taunting Asiwaju’s dominance in APC
The conjecture by Robert Greene in 48 Laws of Power, which stipulates that ‘You do not outshine your master’ has become an illusionary grandeur in the heart of political power psychology between a revered master and a scholastic servant, who has developed a subtle brashness of a peacock after he had been emboldened with a glimpse of power in Aso Rock. And while the Master has risen for a shot at the most coveted seat in Nigeria, it appears that both of them have just begun a long walk to reality as moments of truth beckon in May 2022, writes Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo.
The long-awaited speculations by a sectional group of party members in the All Progressives Congress {APC}, that the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo {PYO}, should declare his aspiration for the exalted position of President; Federal Republic of Nigeria, has come to pass. The ripple effects of the declaration have undoubtedly unsettled the camp of one of the most sophisticated political actors in Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu {BAT}.
To some political observers, the hand of Esau and the deeds of Judas had long been anticipated in this witty game of political chess, once the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, began to exhibit his famous ‘body language in the political transition towards 2023, at the camp of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo has gone through the test of loyalty. It’s obvious he cannot serve two masters, and a bird at hand in Aso Rock is worth more than two birds in Lagos! Ask the Abuja boys and the gangling Governor’s forum chairman about the audacious air of authority which is contagious, infectious and irredeemably unapologetic. And this is what the diminutive Professor of Law has been served with, in Abuja, hence the bald-faced presidential declaration that was more of an Oscar speech than political nuggets necessary for social and economic reflections in the emancipation of a circular society like Nigeria!
THE NORTHERN ARISTOCRATS
The episodic political slurs by Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, had attained a major height of despondency in the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, until the cancellation of BAT’s 70th birthday colloquium in order to honour victims of the train attack in Kaduna recently.
Prior to this year, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s understated innuendos and political bashing at the Jagaban of Borgu were the early signals that the Northern Aristocrats may not be willing to relinquish power and hand it over on a platter to Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The pawn in this game of political chess had been carefully chosen, and it became apparent that the Professor of Law must undertake this task in order to test his loyalty and throw a spanner in the wheel of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential aspiration.
In what appears deeper than what met the eyes, the Northern Aristocrats understand the political implication of handing over power to a political stooge instead of BAT, hence the official declaration through a script made ineffective with a chronicle of administrative engagement assigned to the office of the vice-president in the guise of presidential aspiration scorecards!
THE PCG AS A POLITICAL CHARADE
The Progressive Consolidation Group {PCG}, had been craftily set-up, up and with a composition of all geo-political zones inclusion. The group which has been used to test the political waters across Nigeria, came to the height of political shibboleth when it visited the Governor of Bornu, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
While quoting the Chairman of the PCG, Dr Aliyu Rabiu Kurfi, during the group’s visit to Governor Zulum, he maintained that other state governors and party leaders at the ward, state and federal levels should forge a consensus in order to make Professor Yemi Osinbajo Nigeria’s next president.
In his words: “The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo deserves the right of first refusal and even in a crowded race with great individuals, he stands out as an insider with the right level of competence and intellect to do the job better than all others.”
Like part of the script handed down to test the political temperaments of Tinubu’s camp and others, PCG is being used to advocate for ‘a solid consensus’. And as if corroborating the script, Professor Zulum on his part added that he was solidly behind the initiatives geared towards promoting the progress and unity of APC in Nigeria. According to him, especially in this sensitive period, ‘nothing will prevent the ruling party to move for progress collectively.’
His position further emphasized the need to downplay individual’s aspirations, as he posited that the party hierarchy, starting with the President, leaders at the National Assembly, party leaders at the state and ward levels will have to arrive at a befitting solution necessary for moving Nigeria forward, on the choice of a President.
The advocacy job by PCG has become strategically effective after it began to massage the airwaves of many across Nigeria, especially after Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared his presidential ambition to the President in Aso Rock earlier in the year. And with these and many more lobbying that is bound to occur within the political communities across Nigeria, the PCG has delivered, and it is left for the political stakeholders to catch the bug and fall for the bait of a PYO that is being stage-managed by the Northern oligarchs!
THE ABUJA BOYS FACTOR
There has been a political parable that Aso Rock is contagious, and once you catch the bug, it becomes your way of life. The political beneficiaries of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that were endorsed to serve in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari are prone to switch their allegiance and loyalty to the Northern oligarch.
This may not be far from the truth judging by the political indifferences between the likes of former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola {SAN}, together with his political army of soldiers, such as Muiz Banire, Fouad Oki among others.
Feelers from Lagos believe that these outstanding politicians from the centre of excellence have invariably converted PYO’s allegiance under the parlance of ‘you cannot serve two masters’, into the ways of Aso Rock, which has continued to make the political status quo in Abuja remain defiant and indifferent towards Tinubu’s aspiration.
THE EMOTIONAL RELIGIOUS DILEMMA
Just like the PCG, the Redeemed Christian Church of God under the tutelage of the revered Pastor Adeboye, was rumoured to have circulated a letter urging all districts and parishes of the great church to support the presidential aspiration of PYO. A situation that may be harmless on the superficial surface and can be justified under freedom of expression as stipulated in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. However, beyond the facade of religious affinity, the circular nature of a country like Nigeria is unapologetically sentimental and whimsically mischievous to quote a harmless intention out of context. PYO may not be regarded in some quarters, as a man who has successfully demonstrated sensitive empathy for the other religion after the incident of him disparaging one of the tenets of Islam when he was rumoured to have gone into a mosque with his pair of shoes on. Aside from this, sectional motivation by a religious group to push for one of their pastors may signal a stiffer opposition and be used to discourage another religious sect from perceiving Osinbajo as the leader ready to manage a circular state like Nigeria.
DOES POLITICAL STRUCTURE MATTER IN THIS REGARD?
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu commands a rich political structure across the geo-political zones of the country, Nigeria. His political forte, which is significantly Lagos State, has become influential with a compelling political structure that has imaginarily begun to rub off effectively in the Eastern States of Nigeria. To many political observers, the Tinubumania in Nigeria’s political setting is such a tsunami that is unwavering, focused, determined and with an eye on the coveted seat in Abuja. Such is the political resume of BAT which PYO is not politically endowed with. One may argue that the assumed Northern oligarchs have done enough by airlifting a structure for PYO at the federal level, and with the massive support of other structures by these northern actors to be used in favour of PYO as against Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political machinery. And from all indications, the stage is set for one of the most dramatic political plays in the history of Nigeria, as both protagonists embark on a long walk to reality in May 2022!
THE ASIWAJU CAMP
To the political proteges of BAT, the presidential declaration of PYO was an insult to the political personality of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To them, it is morally unethical and political sabotage on the part of PYO to have betrayed and want to outshine his political benefactor. But despite the show of solidarity by the followers of Asiwaju’s political philosophy, the reality of truth must be upheld and adopted as part of their emotional caution, that PYO’s political stance is beyond his personality. There is a greater movement, bigger and overwhelming, and writing the political script which PYO has presented before Nigeria under the guise of a constitutional right to aspire for the position of a president!
IS THIS A BETRAYAL OF TRUST?
Your 6 may be my 9, depending on the analytical sense of views so many people have adopted to summarize the presidential aspiration of Professor Yemi Osinbajo. And for the purpose of this thesis, the onus of the reader’s mindset lies with what they believe and disbelief beyond this critical moment of emotional solidarity for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or political empathy for the renaissance of a technocrat wishing to manage the affairs of one of the most populous black nation in the world!
THE LONG WALK TO REALITY
This is the long walk to reality for Professor Yemi Osinbajo as he attempts to upset and unsettle the political grandiose of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. PYO is oblivious of the political impact that this journey will generate for posterity. It will either make or mar his political personality in his future engagement with Asiwaju’s protegees and contemporaries. The effect, whether positive or negative cannot be speculated in one short breath. It is a journey of no return once PYO manned up and bawled his oratorical skills garnished with unmistakable elocution proficiency on the microphone, during his presidential ambition declaration. The die is cast, and Osinbajo must be made to stride this path alone, because history and posterity will judge who is the villain or saviour in this long walk to reality by May 2022…
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