By Tony Onyima/
Every March 29, his disciples gather for an intellectual banquet.
This year’s feast attracted President Muhammad Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and an army of APC faithful. Unlike the other nine years where seminal topics on democracy were discussed, this year’s Ahmed Bola Tinubu Colloquium, held to mark his 66th birthday, was expectedly devoted to PDP bashing. And, thoroughly, they did it. This piece is, however, not about what was discussed at the colloquium. The piece is about an aspect of the enigma which this writer finds inspiring and worthy of study.
Love him or hate him, there’s something about this former governor of Lagos State that you cannot but notice. Forget about his scandals and his sudden stupendous wealth. His political leadership and sagacity should interest political and leadership scholars.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in my humble view, leads the pack of the most ‘successful’ politicians in Nigeria today.
To some, this assertion may appear controversial, but it fits into my comparative studies about the politics and development of South East and South West. A profound thinker and political strategist, he has remained relevant on the political scene; both in opposition and in power. From his NADECO days to the formation of Alliance for Democracy (AD), to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressive Congress (APC), the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom has galvanized and inspired an army of passionate loyalists.
Using Lagos as his canvas, he fiercely fought for and won the political hearts of the Southwest. With sprinkle of successes recorded in the Southwest, he successfully built a formidable national coalition that elected President Muhammad Buhari under the banner of APC in 2015. His coalition ousted a sitting president; a rare feat in African political history. I am more interested in his uncanny ability to identify and raise talents. He has produced a good number of ‘graduates’ from the Tinubu School of Political Leadership. Here’s a sampler:
Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, was his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. He is today, Nigeria’s Vice President. Rauf Aregbesola was Tinubu’s Commissioner for Works. Today he is serving his second tenure as Governor of Osun State.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, was Tinubu’s Chief of Staff and successor in office. Forget the public view of their relationship now, Fashola is today Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Works and Housing. Governor Akinwumni Ambode was his accountant general. We were witnesses to the subtle struggle between him and Fashola over Ambode. In the end he easily prevailed. Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Buhari’s controversial Minister of Information and Culture, was Tinubu’s first Chief of Staff. Babatunde Fowler was appointed by Tinubu as Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service. Today, he is the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service. And many more in not too visible positions. In Lagos State today, after his experience with Femi Pedro, there’s a ‘rule’ influenced by the Jagaban that deputy governorship position is now reserved for women. And Lagos deputy governors are never idle; they are assigned a ministry, notably education, to supervise.
At the National Assembly, there are a good number of his ‘graduates’ who have occupied and some are still occupying seats till today. Since 1999, the Tinubu camp has produced almost 98% of the members of the National Assembly from South west, which include his wife. The fiery politician is perhaps the only member of the Class of 1999 governors who is still relevant and active on the political scene. His contemporaries in the South East are Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju (Anambra), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi). Why was it difficult for any of these governors to achieve Tinubu’s feat in the South East? Why did they not raise an army of passionate loyalists like Tinubu did in South West? Why is it difficult to build one dominant political block in the South East as it was in the days of Nnamdi Azikiwe? And many more questions.
Tinubu’s pragmatism, doggedness and ability to inspire a committed followership is seriously needed in the South East. It has been said that the hallmark of a true leader is not just the ability to rule well but also the ability to nurture and groom successors. Tinubu has in my view done well in this area. I do not think that other geopolitical zones are that lucky with South East as the worst hit with leadership crises. From Abia to Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra States, it’s the same unending fight between political ‘godfathers and godsons’.
With his People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA), Orji Uzor Kalu tried to galvanize new leadership and followership but lost steam midway. Peter Obi had a golden opportunity to nurture APGA into a great platform for Ndigbo but he didn’t rise to the occasion. Chimaroke Nnamani showed intellectual capacity but lacked the reach and enough knowledge of the politics of the zone. Sam Egwu was too into himself and showed no interest on any pan-Igbo matters. Achike Udenwa was too occupied with the vicious politics of Imo State. There’s an urgent need for a serious conversation in the South East about the region’s economic and political future. But the conversation needs content, tone and direction which only a visionary and committed leadership can provide. The type of selfless leadership once provided by the likes of Akanu Ibiam, M. I Okpara, Sam Mbakwe and Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Now, Providence has thrown up Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to lead APGA into new heights. There’s now an opportunity to spread the message of Nke bu nke anyi to Imo and Abia. This requires pragmatism and commitment. It requires a strategist in the mould of a Tinubu to navigate the labyrinth of many political challenges facing the geopolitical region. Ndigbo seriously needs to re-negotiate their position in the present structure of Nigeria. They need a Moses and a Tinubu to do that. Who will it be?
Tony Onyima was former Commissioner for Tourism and Culture in Anambra State
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