Heroes Are Made by Events of Their Time
Misgivings notwithstanding, Bola Tinubu is the hero of Nigeria’s budding democracy, writes Goke Omisore
Nothing in this dapper fellow would wow anybody, a grossly understated mien that betrays the inner strength of his political sagacity – a very roundly ambitious and politically hungry fellow with profound appetite for mission accomplishments. Often, in his ordinariness, you are won’t to mistake him for his lesser worth. A strength and study in political deft moves on consequential visions: A small frame but parked-full, yet, taller than most men in his political callings.
Astute, brilliant, a master tactician of note – a mobile, distinguished-alumni-fellow, and now the undisputed crowned kingmaker of greater Nigerian project – the lion of Bourdilon has delivered. Please stand-up, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is it! And whenever the Lion of Bourdilon roars or whispers in solemn tones, beware of political tremor.
A Shakespearean character that was best described in Julius Ceasers. “Let me have men about me that are fat, sleek-headed men and such as sleep at nights. Young Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.” Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the grandmaster of political intrigues can only be ignored at rivals and associates’ peril.
A most vilified fellow often underrated at peers folly. A perpetual frown looking man of means and focused missions that borders on altruistic or unbridled ambition, some will say: a la Robinhood, a disciple of generosity for the greatest good of legion in our commonwealth. But by all means, not a saint neither is this writer here, trying to canonise him. Facts: the end justifies the means. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the undisputed folk hero of the moment. Posterity will judge him kindly.
The challenges on Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s shoulder and other progressives go far beyond that of this victory today. Electoral victory is hinged, usually on political calculations by tacticians and he is the grandmaster in this game. The next challenge is that which should come from the wells of wisdom, deep-minds of political strategist and visionaries, for an enduring legacy of true fiscal federalism, not an over-bloated center.
But a nation where the weakest, the smallest, state or region in the Nigeria union can stand shoulder high with the strongest and biggest, without feeling compromised on our common-wealth, justice, equity or the realisation of individual region’s potential to be optimised. Our constitution should guarantee nothing less. Progressives should not lose focus on the mission.
That, I think is the dream of the founding fathers, and a good compass to navigate the nation forward. History beckons and today’s fathers of modern day Nigeria should take note! The tangibles of infrastructure, good roads, rails and wiping out corruption pail into insignificant, if these crops of modern Nigerian architects fail to consolidate and embolden a strong fiscal stature in the mantra of change our nation deserves, that is the new challenge of the progressives. Before the gains of the moment are frittered on the disciples of change, while the message and mission might be lost in the euphoria of celebrations. The beauty of true fiscal federalism is in self-censorship-orders and not at the mercy of leadership.
This flawed Nigerian nation as presently constituted is our collective guilt by commissions and omissions, politically mined and monetised, in our time. This land is an insanely corrupt society that revels in the grandiose of nuisance values. Phony heroes, “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” that precludes and excludes the luxury of saints, but occasional Chilvary!
A great nation cannot be built on serial deceptions, wasteful spending and reckless perks of office, and a host of unearned privileges, damned-up behind selfishaggrandisement, but on true fiscal discipline and federalism. We ought to be a better nation than this, and in this task, we must all stand up, as we did in the 2015 general election and we must all keep on marching and be vigilant on the task ahead because to realise the greater Nigerian project is where patriotism should start and end.
Back to my subject: Bola Ahmed Tinubu, without boring you with recapitulations of his well-rounded achievements, challenges and goals of a well celebrated man in our times and the worth of his political currency. The Jagaban as he his fondly adored by a formidable forest of fans and loathed by a sparsely undernourished or often overfed wounded-lions - the select few of means – those who have serious axe to grind with him.
Heartily, I will say in a prized-race in the furnace of political greatness and choice for the most treasured position that is now in a vacuum: leadership of Yoruba land. Eyin omo odua, the alajobis are watching us! Eni ti fila yi ba wo ori re, lo mi a de. Ade eye, iyi ti Ojogbon Ile kaaro o’jire bi? Omoro se s’ogun Aguntan ti; ogbon inu re pe egberun-gbeje. Eni ti o’le moo, Oyun Igbinninu-Ikaraun!!! I am sure the initiated can decode my incantations. Let all pretenders and pretences take a bow and be challenged. The die is cast; Asiwaju lo gba first!
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on a lonely road less travelled, steeped in history and failed efforts to bond the political sophisticated North and South progressives in constant opposition to the center. He has struck the crux of the differences in our times - carrying the very heavy load of a civilized and politically matured race.
The Yoruba is quite a burden to the Lion of Burdillon. He has so much to proof to earn the trust, respect and integrity of the politically conscious race. I am not unmindful of all the insignificant noise surrounding his degrees and pedegee. Omo Odua, ni Bola Ahmed Tinubu, no one has yet disputed that. Fate, the arbiter of all dreams is often very cruel and tough when you are favoured to lead. Uneasy lies the head that dare dream. The crown-prince jewel is most often ladened with torns, scorn, praises and outright abuse that rise and fall with disdain and poisoned-bitterness. The pain in this instance is worth the paean. Congratulations!
Heroes of our time, please stand counted! The Nigeria nation is the cat with nine-lives. Forget what the doomsayers predicted. It was a timely prediction the entire world was waiting to celebrate. We confounded them and ourselves. Do I hear you say: God is a Nigerian! No, he lives in God’s own country. Have you ever seen the Montana or Houston-Texas heavenly sky-lines, on roads that appear leading to Heavens? But God loves us too in Africa. Our father in heavens is not too proud of us, but cares a great deal about us and that’s why he embarks on timely and occasional rescue missions, recharging and re-awakening us as we often slip into nightmare. He gives us when we need another chance, the opportunity to redeem in spite of ourselves.
God often gives us a healthy, breathing space and hopefully this time around it will not be squandered for the umpteenth times. The most resilient people on the planet earth, Nigerians, get my vote and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cannot be distanced nor detached from this once-in-a-life time feat. Please all Nigerians, stand-up and be proud of yourself. We are the true heroes and heroine of greater Nigeria project in focus.
General Muhammad Buhari, the chosen messiah, we are waiting, you must have been destined; it’s hard to see it otherwise. Sir, my prophetic treatise on you before the election, “The Last Upright Man Standing”, published in THISDAY newspaper, Saturday January 10th 2015, speaks volume of my admiration and expectations of you.
My treasured one-man-vote cast in your favour and that of million others is on demand, that only your very best will be good enough to bail out this potentially great nation. We are thirsty for great-leadership by exemplary standard from all of you elected. You are indeed a virtue’s man, may Allah bless your wisdom, give you strength and resilience in overcoming our challenges on the road to the promised land.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, from the harrowing shoeless fame, from the crannies of rural Otueke, you have shone like a blinding thousand megastars to put Otueke on the map of indelible history of your father land. You stand acknowledged and celebrated by the world. Now, you have won the golden shoe by your stroke of ingenuity as you conceded wisely and timely to safe a nation on the precipice, politically doused to be ignited in conflagration. We salute your courage and sanguine state manliness. You are indeed a hero of the moment. Please bow out gracefully and take a deserved rest. Congratulations!
The victor ludorum, the golden trophy of the 2015 presidential election belongs to the indefatigable umpire of all times, Professor Atahiru Jega, a man of honour, an epitome of integrity, a giant that stood boldly on the shoulder of history to dwarf is predecessors, who dined and wined to be forgotten in times, in a most daunting task, packed full of all the risks and temptations in silver and gold.
But you chose to etch your name in diamond-studded achievements in your gift of building an institution of enduring legacy in INEC, a great gift to our nation in our democratic culture. I am sure this grateful nation doffs our hats for your uncommon courage and resilience. You stand counted in the nation’s hours of need. I humbly submit.