As President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrates his 71st birthday today, Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the ideas, struggles, exploits, and ascendancy of the political colossus at a critical time in national history
In the hierarchy of earthly needs, self-actualisation is the highest. For many great men, it is often an elusive goal, especially if it is associated with the struggle for the ultimate power, which is never served ‘al a carte.’
In this rare, difficult and extremely challenging terrain, a titanic battle was fought and won by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Asiwaju of Lagos and President-elect of Nigeria. He has excelled as a first timer in the historic race, achieving a feat that eluded the illustrious pathfinder and undisputed role model, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and billionaire business mogul, Bashorun Moshood Abiola, Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland.
Having groomed many followers for leadership at local, state and federal levels, and successfully led the All Progressives Congress (APC) to tedious presidential battles in 2015 and 2019, the kingmaker is now king.
“It is my turn,” he retorted in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, during his consultative meeting with political leaders there. He put everything he had into the contest, winning the primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)and defeating an old timer, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP, and a noisy green horn, Peter Obi of the Labour Party(LP).
Those who may aspire for future leadership at any of the tiers have instructive lessons to learn from. Tinubu. He had planned ahead and worked towards achieving his personal goals. He never lost focus. But, he invested in forming political parties along with compatriots. He groomed many Nigerians and aided them as they climbed the ladder of power.
For over 30 years, had started the journey that took him to the top. From the Third Republic when he took his seat in the Senate, he set out. The era was shortlived. Tinubu joined a company of brave and bold men in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to query the truncation of the transition programme through the criminal annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by his political elder, the late Chief Moshood Abiola. When his life was in danger, he fled abroad, only to bounce back in 1999 as governor of Lagos State.
Disowned by the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, in 2003, he thrived in adversity, surviving the federal might under which his Alliance for Democracy (AD) crashed.
Tinubu was the best governor of his time. His achievements across the srctirs-education, health, security, judicial reforms, infrastructural development, expansion of the revenue base, e.t.c have remained indelible.
Under his leadership, Lagos was a mini-country. He fostered inclusion by appointing competent Nigerians from other ethnic groups into the State
Conscious of the internal contradiction in AD, which had become a weak vessel, Tinubu and like-minded people floated the Action Congress (AC), which later became the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN. Tinubu started building bridges and nurturing networks across the six geo-political zones. He made friends with those that mattered.
Between 2003 and 2015, he was the opposition arrowhead, and the main issue in national politics. From Lagos, the lone APC state, the progressives spread their tentacles regained Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti. Later, it installed a governor in Edo.
ACN and other parties-All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a section of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and PDP-later fused, giving birth to APC. Tinubu became its national leader.
Twice, he led the party to victory in 2015 and 2019. When he stormed Aso Villa, seat of government in Abuja to inform President Muhammadu Buhari about his intention to succeed him, keen observers knew he was the man to watch; the candidate to beat.
A courageous politician, Tinubu braced the odds. Having prepared to face the vicissitudes, he placed his hand on the plough without looking back. A very tolerant and accommodating leader, was prepared for betrayals. Yet, as he never held grudges because he planned for forgiveness. Through the cooperation of dependable APC governors, he triumphed over the zoning hurdle. The coast was clear. Tinubu became unstoppable.
The detractors swung into action. Social media miscreants teamed up to distract his attention. He was painted as a frail-looking old man; a spent force who could hardly walk alone unsupported, and a drug pusher. Although he was never indicted for sleaze, his foes branded him as a corrupt person. He is speeches were misquoted and misinterpreted. Some elite conspired against him. But, his support base waxed stronger.
Some even went to court before and after the primary and general election to stop him. It was futile. Tinubu won all the cases. More legal battles lay ahead.
Ahead of the historic presidential poll, he acknowledged those running along with him, although he said he did not know where they were heading. But, he was clear in his own mind that he was going to Aso Rock.
At the primary in Eagle Square, Abuja, scores of aspirants stepped down for him. At the close of shadow poll, he carried the day.
Then, the social media manipulators intensified their campaign of calumny. A strategist and tactician, he was ready to take decisive steps. One of them was the choice of a Muslim running mate. If Tinubu had committed the mistake of picking a Christian, he could not have won. He is a realist.
During the campaigns, the APC candidate approached Nigerians with the best blueprint. He never promised to sell Nigeria and its commonwealth, but to increase the wealth and foster good governance.
His mandate, despite the virtuperation by the opposition, has the prospects of uniting the country. Tinubu had the highest number of votes in the Northwest, Northcentral, and Southwest. He came second in the Southsouth and Southeast. PDP and LP candidates were jolted out of their delusion. They have not overcome the shock. The candidate they had sought to demarket and disparage stole the show.
On May 29, a democrat, pro-democracy crusader, financial surgeon, astute administrator, strategist, humanist, philanthropist, and statesman will assume the reins as president of African most populous country. The continent expect him to be a Commander-in-Chief with a difference.
As the Jagaban Borgu, celebrates his 71st birthday today, Nigerians are locked in deep reflection about the metamorphosis of a man of destiny.
Tinubu stands out among members of the political class. Courage, determination, resilience, devotion to principles and commitment to the high ideals of democracy are the virtues that have defined and shaped the character of the enigma and icon in his 33 years of his sojourn in politics.
For the Jagaban Borgu, the road to fame was long and tortuous. Tinubu is not a politician without a second address. He had a rich curriculum vitae before venturing into politics, which he embraced as a vocation. He had worked hard and made fortunes in the accounting profession as an auditor in Mobil, a thriving oil company. He relishes his professional calling as a financial surgeon; an accountant of note and worth; the legendary treasurer.
His former boss, Otunba Solomon Oladunnni, former Mobil Oil vice chairman, said Tinubu was captivating to the oil giant during the interview session. He displayed confidence, competence, skill, experience and capacity, which made him indispensable.
He was destined to be the man of the future, undeterred by his troubled childhood and other obstacles on the way of a struggling youth. He confronted life difficulties with uncommon courage, converting the obstacles into an opportunity to struggle, work hard and excel. His life became a lesson.
A promising young man, Tinubu left Nigeria for the United States of America in search of the proverbial golden fleece in 1975. He carried on his head the bow of fate and destiny, trusting that his maker will order his footsteps. If any youth travels to Europe or America today to do menial job, including being a gateman or a teacher, let him know that Tinubu had passed through the same layers of life.
His next point of call was the Richard Daley College, Illinois, where he was on the college’s Honours’ List, and later, Chicago State University, Chigaco where he acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with specialization in Accounting and Management. Studying in the institution was not a child’s play.
Tinubu shone like a star in the tertiary institution. In his second year, he was accorded the honour of teaching remedial tutorial classes on part-time basis to the students of the faculty. He was focused and serious. He was on the Dean’s List throughout his undergraduate years. His awards included the Outstanding Students’ Award, University Scholar’s Award and Certificate of Merit in Accounting and Finance in his first year.
Politics was in his blood. Apart from his academic prowess, he was also a campus politician. He was elected as the President of the Accounting Society in his final year. The episode marked his journey to statesmanship.
It was possible that he had also observed and participated in the political activities of his illustrious adopted mother, Iyaloja Abibat Mogaji, a strong women leader in the defunct Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led by the indomitable Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
After his university education, Tinubu worked with the American based-accounting firm, Arthur Anderson. Later, he moved to ‘Deloitte Haskins and Sells’, now Deloitte Haskins and Touche, for his professional training. He was always interested in learning for the purpose of professional fortification.
The young accountant also received professional training in other prominent firms, including General Motors, First National Bank of ChicagoProcter and Gamble, International Harvester, Fortune 50 Firms, and DEC, the largest communication and utility company in the United States.
As a technocrat, Tinubu was devoted to the goals of organisational efficiency. The key was efficient performance. He knew that the white men he worked with will never condone indolence, idleness and laziness. He was an outstanding staff traveling across the globe with huge responsibilities on his shoulders. He learned new things travelling across the globe.
Between 1981 and 1982, Tinubu was a member of the Deloitte team that established the financial sytem of ARAMCO, the giant oil company. He was even retained by the firm to supervise the implementation of its financial system.
However, his employment with the Mobil Producing Nigeria as a senior auditor marked a turning point. He rose to the position of the Audit Manager, and later, Treasurer of the Mobil Producing, Nigeria. Under his leadership, there were prudent financial management, aggressive corporate think-tank for the reorganisation of the company’s financial system and treasury activities, the integration of staff development, cost saving and fraud detection and prevention. The experience made Tinubu to describe himself as a financial surgeon; a wizard.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s contributions to the growth and development of the company, Oladunni said his audit report on indicted the managing director of the company. Tinubu was brave, bold and fearless.
Oladunnni also recalled that Tinubu played a prominent role in the building of the Mobil House in Lekki, Lagos.
In Lagos of 70s and 80s, he rocked Lagos social circles. It was reminiscent of how he followed a DJ to Ado-Ekiti because of his love for entertainment. He is a lover of crowd; the masses, poor and indigent, who are in the majority in the society.
In the Third Republic, Tinubu entered politics as a new breed. His senior colleagues in Mobil were taken aback that he was leaving a lucrative job for an uncertain career in politics. He was a founding member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), on which platform he contested for the Senate in Lagos West District. The senatorial form was purchased on his behalf by Chief Kola Oseni, his relation. He was supported by the powerful political group, Primose, led By Chief Dapo Sarunmi. The group was locked in supremacy battle with the ‘Ase,’ a group, led by former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande, in the Lagos SDP. During the screening, the chairman of the panel, Alhaji Lanre Rasak, was surprised that Tinubu answered critical questions with much intelligence, despite being perceived as a green horn. He predicted that he will go far in politics.
Tinubu meant business. He had developed the slogan:’Power is not served a la carte.’ He put all he had into the political process, seizing the politics of Lagos West by storm.
Tinubu’s opponent at the senatorial poll was the late Mrs. Kemi Nelson of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), who he defeated, emerging as the senator that polled the highest number of votes in the country. He had wanted to vie for Senate President, but was persuaded to step down for Dr, Iyorcha Ayu. Tinubu was not a bench warmer. He was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Finance, Appropriation and Currency.
In those days, he spoke authoritatively and forcefully to power, daring the military on the floor of the National Assembly. It was distressing to him that the military later boxed the country into an avoidable crisis, following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Abiola.
Tinubu joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which fought the military to a standstill. When his life was threatened, he left the country and became the major financier and pillar of the pro-democracy movement abroad. It was almost a lost battle. Although the military surrendered power to civilians, the mandate was not restored to Abiola, who died in detention.
In 1999, Tinubu bounced back. He returned home to participate in the Abdulsalami transition programme. Although he wanted to return to the Senate, the leaders of Afenifere/NADECO believed that he will be a good governor. They were right. Their words had a predictive value. The Justice Forum was rooting for him. The only dissenting voice was the late Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, who had pitched his tent with Funso Williams, former Works Commissioner. Reflecting on the struggle for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) ticket, a party elder, the late Oba Olatunji Hamzat, said: “Dawodu’s preference for Williams who had served in Abacha’s government over his own comrades who suffered in the trenches with him remains a puzzle.”
(THENATION)
