AREWA 2019: POLITICS OR POSTERITY?
It serves the North better by sticking to the earlier accord with the South-west,
Latest developments within the leadership circle of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with particular reference to the speculations of the jilting of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by his former sworn loyalists, now described as “Buhari Boys” and credited with the wheeling and dealing that saw Akeredolu emerge victorious in the Ondo governorship elections, have raised new tensions in the Arewa 2019 sectors. It now looks like the political dynamics of the South-west/Arewa ruling alliance have finally imploded into a triple threat trajectory with the new Buharian offensive rearing its renegade head. So what is the fate of the 2015 ‘ring marriage’ arduously arranged between Asiwaju Tinubu and General Muhammadu Buhari to consummate the South-west/ Arewa presidential power-pact?
The emergence of a new chorus of hailers of the Buhari Presidency in the mournful midst of mass wailing across the nation has evoked more suspicion and apprehension by its curious composition. Comprising those same “Tinubu Boys” who got into Buhari’s cabinet without their oga’s recommendation and proceeded to appropriate the oversized political dividends of their desertion, they have now ingested enough political adrenalin to flaunt their fraternity of incumbency and even lay claim to territory! But how real is this parody of political power play, where rookies take the lead roles in a drama of epic complexity?
The awesome geo-political undercurrents of the APC phenomenal triumph over the confidently complacent incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidency in 2015 were powered by formidable national constituents and stakeholders, drawing from a restive reservoir of popular agitation for positive change. It is well known that this coalition of convinced citizens and committed political leaders was foisted on the national political arena by the mainstream membership of the immediate past House of Representatives, spawned by the intricate cross-country networking talent of their charismatic Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. So effective and entrenched was that honourable House that it successfully overwhelmed the partisan and ethnic blocs of its members and wielded the legislative gavel to checkmate the ruling PDP and its clueless Presidency.
At this juncture we fast forward the narrative to connect with the realisation of the ultimate and logical outcome of the legislative agenda with the groundswell of support and endorsement of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as presidential aspirant. Solidly anchored on the mobilised mainstream membership of the House of Representatives and their nationwide spheres of influence, this national progressive movement formed the nucleus of what became the APC. By the same token Right Hon. Tambuwal earned the respect, support and recognition exclusively bestowed on him as the ‘original’ Presidential Candidate of the progressives. He is instead Sokoto State Governor today by dint of humble magnanimity and subordination of personal political ambition to uphold party/national interest.
It is apt to recall the impassioned pronouncements of the Asiwaju himself in recognition of Tambuwal’s exemplary attainment of leadership by honour : “You secured the wish of a virile section of our party, especially your colleagues, Honourable Members who meant well in their desire to have you vie for the highest office of the land. And excited by your politics and candidature, most Nigerians looked in your direction hopeful in the prospects of your candidacy and a New Nigeria.” This was in November 2014 when Tinubu was reacting to the astonishing turn of events that saw Aminu Tambuwal withdrawing his bid for Nigeria’s 2015 presidency to give his “father”-rival and party a smooth ride to victory.
The Asiwaju also made definitive pointers to the endurance and durability built into the political dynamics behind Tambuwal’s emergence : “Since you joined our party, the APC has become stronger. You have brought strength to our party through a political profile that is unrivalled. Having travelled through over 300 federal constituencies, the widespread support you enjoy across the country validates you as a leader for our generation and a political asset for our great party. Undoubtedly, you have what it takes to lead this country to a better future and we take note of your astuteness, brilliant political trajectory and preparedness for higher service.”
Tinubu declared: “Your sacrifice for the cohesion of the party and a greater Nigeria will go down in history as one of the greatest pragmatic and progressive political sacrifices ever made in the politics of our country. You have demonstrated to all that after the political calculations are made and the dust of competition has settled, it must be this nation and its people who shall stand. Therein, we find the lessons of your decision to suspend your participation in the presidential contest for now.”
Unfortunately, today the nation and its people are reeling from the squandering of “progressive political sacrifices” by a cabal of incumbents reaping what they did not stock. But indeed “it must be this nation and its people who shall stand” so it’s not just a matter of Tambuwal and Tinubu, or even South-west and Arewa. It is matter of national conscience and necessity that we all must see through the dust of incumbency and remain focused on reclaiming and realigning the drifting political and economic destiny of the nation.
To meet the still unfulfilled yearnings of the wailing majority of Nigerians and the drifting Arewa 2019 ship, we must be steadfast in rallying round the original “greatest pragmatic and progressive political sacrifices”. This is best for Arewa 2019, it is best for Nigeria. Donga wrote from Jos
WHAT IS THE FATE OF THE 2015 ‘RING MARRIAGE’ ARDUOUSLY ARRANGED BETWEEN ASIWAJU TINUBU AND GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI TO CONSUMMATE THE SOUTH-WEST/ AREWA PRESIDENTIAL POWER-PACT?