Tinubu: Tribute to a discerning leader who democratises power and share wealth, by Kola Amzat

Some months back before the APC recently concluded primaries, the political space was completely overwhelmed with speculation that Seyi Tinubu was the candidate to beat in the Lagos APC gubernatorial primary elections.

To put it succinctly: rumour was rife that the president had concluded a plan to foist his son on the people of the state of excellence as the next governor.

The rumour totally dominated the social media, so much that teeming youths and varying interest groups seized the medium to start mobilizing for the amiable, calm and very promising Lawyer.

Of course, there was no gain-said the fact that the rumour totally destabilized the state’s political stakeholders and key political figures that were planning to throw their hats into the ring.

The fact remains: if the Commander-in-Chief desires an office in this land, who are you to signify interest for the same office?

But, remarkably at the end of the day, Mr. Seyi respectfully and gloriously disappeared throughout the primaries-the all-important event that commenced with the sales of forms to aspirants, down to the submission and later screening before the real primaries exercise.

Throughout the primaries, the ONLY comment from the camp of the very reserved young man was when he sympathized with Cubana Chief who lost the ticket in his Anambra Federal Constituency’s primary elections.

Indeed, Nigerians are not in doubt that the president might have expressly given instruction to the business-centric son to completely stay away from the primaries and leave the space for other willing aspirants to fulfill their individual aspirations.

As far as the president is concerned, the topmost office in the land that Almighty god has ceded to the family is QUITE enough, and the Commander-in-Chief might have reasoned that there is no need for him NOT to be magnanimous and gracious enough to offer opportunity for others to fulfill their individual aspirations and ambitions.

Nigerians would vividly recollect that it’s the same president who mandated the security and protocol team that they shouldn’t under any circumstance allow any of his family members to attend Federal Executive Meetings, including Seyi Tinubu, because they’re not elected or appointed officers.

The crux of this piece remains: Nigeria is presently blessed with a president who has no interest whatsoever to build a political dynasty, as well as perpetrate a political hegemony.

The country is opportune to have a president that embodies contentment, patriotism, resourcefulness, hard-work, focus, zeal and more importantly, love & affection for the Nigerian people, as well as for the nation to prosper and within a short while, be in the league of the industrial nations.

This writer passionately appeals to Nigerians in all walks of life, particularly the president’s adversaries and critics of his administration to start the process of viewing this president through a different lens.

Check his records since he burst into political limelight in 1993 when he was elected as Senator representing Lagos central senatorial districts till date. He has not involved in governance any member of Tinubu family whether remotely or directly.

The only family member that the president has dragged into politics is the first lady and there is a justifiable reason for this. The reasons for this is the incredible, amazing and patriotic roles madam is presently discharging across the nation.

In his characteristics as a visionary leader, the president might have visualized decades back that he would assume the topmost office in the land, and when this happens, he would surely need a first lady who could seamlessly partner and collaborate with him to run the country.

And, that first lady must of necessity be politically savvy and grounded, and also understands Nigerians mentality and their diverse demands. Hence, the foray of first lady at the Upper Chambers for 12 solid years.

From all evidence available, It is instructive to submit that this president is in office to democratize power and authority, as well as spreading wealth as much as possible.

For the record: Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akin Ambode, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as the recently elected Lagos APC gubernatorial candidate-Obafemi Hamzat are not members of Tinubu family. He met them in the political sphere just as he met others.

He offered them a veritable platform to flourish and blossom, as well as fulfill their individual aspirations. Indeed, record had it that he practically dragged Fashola and Ambode onto the governorship office, with none of them having any inkling of the move of then Lagos state governor until it materialized.

The list of Tinubu beneficiaries is endless.

Prof Yemi Osinbajo who was a star in the ex-governor of Lagos state’s cabinet and later became vice president wouldn’t have moved closer to the offices he occupied without the benevolence of the president.

Rauf Aregbesola ascended to the commissionership office and was there   for eight years and thereafter became two-term Osun state governor and subsequently assumed office as Interior Minister, all through the compassion of the president. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have proceeded beyond a professional struggling for contracts.

The president has been replicating the same model since he was inaugurated into the Aso Villa office.

George Akume, the former governor of Benue state was already in the twilight of his political career before the president appointed him as Secretary to the Federal Government.

Godswill Akpabio would forever be grateful to Asiwaju Tinubu for mobilizing the senators to vote him in, as the senate president, and this was against all odds.

Kayode Fayemi should have his own story to tell if he’s sincere enough. With Tinubu’s favour and endorsement, he ascended into Ekiti state governor’s office where he reigned for 8 years. The same man launched him into national prominence as Minister during the late president Buhari administration.

Adams Oshiomole has the president to thank profoundly for his political revival as national chairman of APC and thereafter, Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Solomon Adeola Olalemilekan, the APC gubernatorial candidate for Ogun state surely have president to thank for his  unusual and  impressive political journey, starting as member of Lagos state of House of Assembly, member, Federal House of Representatives, Senator representing Lagos West and thereafter, Ogun West senatorial districts and now the biggest one, his imminent ascendance as governor of Ogun state.

Of course, Taiwo Oyedele, the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of economy might have still not recovered from how Tinubu mysteriously catapulted him to that important and career life-time job.

Opeyemi Bamidele would have his own glorious story to tell of how Tinubu has been his destiny helper from being a Lagos Commissioner, House of Representative member, and now, not only a distinguished Senator, but, senate majority leader.

When it comes to lifting people up, the president does it with impunity.  He simply doesn’t look at the class. Musiliu Oluomo would ever be grateful to the president for where he is today-President, NURTW from the street. Awesome! How gracious and magnanimous could a destiny helper be!

Tinubu derives joy and pleasure in building people. His belief and mantra rooted in the fact that it’s the people that build nations.

Emman Macron, the president of France, has been a delight to watch. He’s built by his country. The American society built Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama. The duo later contributed significantly to the prosperity of America and the world at large.

In the African continent, Paul Kagame, the unassuming president of Rwanda has restored the pride of that country after decades of ruins. The Rwanda society built and made him.

This writer passionately pleads to Nigerians to join and collaborate with the president in his divine mission in showcasing talents across the length and breadth, and launching them to national prominence.

After all, it’s the talent that would reposition, reconstruct and redirect our country onto the path of prosperity and greatness.

This president has remarkably done well in democratizing power and authority, as well as spreading wealth amongst Nigerians. He deserves a resounding applause.                              

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.