THE MAN CALLED TINUBU
As political juggernauts go, undoubtedly Bola Ahmed Tinubu ranks amongst the biggest, most enduring, most influential in Nigeria’s history as an independent country. In power play, he is one of our lead characters.
An accomplished statesman, his political career began as a Senator, in 1992, when he was elected to the Nigerian Senate representing lagos west constituency. just over a year sequel to this, the june 12 1993 elections were annulled and Tinubu grew from politician to activist. He was a founding member of a pro-democracy group, the National democratic Coalition, calling for a restoration of the election results.
For his efforts, and with an increasingly merciless military regime looming, removing all that stood in its way, Tinubu went into exile in 1994, only returning when the country was returned to the path to democratic rule, in 1998.
A year later, he would stand to run as Governor of lagos state that he once represented nationally, albeit for a short while.
In May 1999, after winning the elections he was sworn in. And so the political juggernaut was born. If there were any doubts as to lagos’ claims to being the biggest economy on the continent, and increasingly the world, Tinubu quickly put them to bed during his administration. He ran a tight, efficient ship that accelerated lagos’ progress towards global, leading city.
He achieved this over eight years while fending off concerted, consistent blockades. He was the lone representative of his party, Alliance for democracy as a majority of the country and at Federal Government level, was in the hands of the ruling Peoples’ democratic Party. He was regularly challenged by the Federal Government, allocations to the state withdrawn or cut off. yet, the state still thrived. He found a way. After eight years in power, he anointed a successor, not unusual in Nigerian politics. what was unusual was his successor went on to not only continue from where he left off but set even a higher standard for governance and political performance.
This is the sterling quality that makes Tinubu so revered today. He is a kingmaker, an impeccable scout who can identify the gifted, the competent, and perhaps, even the prepared. As a result, positions for Commissioners, Ministers, head of parastatals, and even the current sitting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, have gone through him or been rubber stamped by him one way or another.
Of course, it could be argued that this creates breeding ground for nepotism but the thought is perished when those selected by the man can back up their assisted ascent to power with positive results for the citizens who have been placed in their care.
These days, Tinubu shows no signs of slowing down. He is firmly in the centre of national consciousness, widely regarded as a leader for yoruba people and increasingly the country at large. little wonder, rumours started to swirl a few weeks ago that he was preparing a bid to occupy the Office of the President.
The rumours turned out not to be true as he debunked them himself.
It seems unclear to many still, that one does not always need an office, seal, staff or title to wield true power or influence lives.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a lesson, example and a guide.