The man Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu may appear as simple and regular as every political leader, but his kind does only live once in a lifetime. His persona cuts the image of the popular American warlord, Raymond Reddington from the popular TV series, The Blacklist. Just like Asiwaju, Raymond is highly intelligent and politically manipulative and he is always three steps ahead of everyone else and is determined to keep himself a mystery.
It is no doubt that Asiwaju has proven to be incomparably better at every political curve of history, but his recent victory against the strong cabal at the just concluded primaries is way beyond the comprehension of any pundit, analyst or prophetic seer. It was written and published in almost every tabloid and newspaper and respected analysts on television and social media had maintained that Asiwaju was not, and will not be the preferred candidate of the cabal or Presidency. Some men of God also made several predictions in that line, that Asiwaju will not even get the party ticket. Some former governors from the southwest even wrote to him openly that the north will not betray their own people and vote for him. Most people believed Asiwaju has been used and dumped. Another key event that further fuelled the indication was when it was announced on the eve of the primaries that the party executives had picked a consensus candidate from the north. The Chairman of the party, former Governor Abdulahi Adamu had reportedly mentioned Senate President as the anointed one.
In other news, the Vice President had also appeared as the anointed one. He had littered the social media with very beautiful pictures with various poses and styles with well-starched Agbada and Kembe. His shoes were delicately polished one would mistake them for mirrors. The confidence was there and his social media handlers actually got Nigerians believing he’s the Starboy.
No one saw the chance for Asiwaju in all of these. It became almost believable that Asiwaju stood no chance when he visited Ogun delegates, and spoke so hard and tough. It was mistaken for the words of a frustrated man. Asiwaju was indeed undermined.
A top politician who claimed to have played at the federal level claimed that Asiwaju has no experience beyond regional politics. He swore that Asiwaju will not get the ticket as long as Buhari remains the president and the cabal are still in the corridor.
The rest, as we can see, has become a history that would be told in a long time. Asiwaju rode gallantly to victory and to the shock of his political adversaries. He walked majestically in tune with the pride-ridden theme of Kizz Daniel’s Buga to further intimidate his foes.
But how did Asiwaju outplay his contestants? You may ask. Let’s give you a fresh dimension of the gist. Asiwaju had once said that he envisaged betrayal at the beginning of every relationship, and he made preparation for it long before it happens, and also make preparation for reconciliation. He proved all these in the last six months.
Asiwaju’s first travail was when he travelled abroad for medical treatment and the news went round that his second in command is not on talking terms with him based on some internal issues in Osun. It became open when the interior minister verbally attacked Asiwaju at one of the meetings he held with some key members of the party faction in Osun State. Aregbe, as he is fondly called went as far as requesting that the imams pray for Asiwaju’s downfall. He was mocked and booed. It became clear that Asiwaju’s internal arsenal was in crisis. Then it was later revealed that Aregbe was not the only one who has turned his back on his one-time benefactor.
Pundits wrote many kinds of lengthy Op-Eds projection of Asiwaju’s downfall. Especially when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo declared to go head-to-head with his one-time benefactor.
The narrative proved that the cabal had succeeded in tearing Tinubu’s camp apart, so as to get him out of the Presidential race in 2023. But Asiwaju pretended. He kept a low profile and was working underground. Before the morning light, Asiwaju had invaded the camp of the enemy and had claimed a major part of the spoil. He penetrated the North and got the support of the major players before the cabal could detect what had hit them.
He befriended the tip guns in the north, especially the northern governors. He is aware of the power tussle among governors, lawmakers and the cabal. He had established a strong, enviable bond with no fewer than 17 governors. More shocking is how he was able to win Kaduna State Governor, Mallam El-Rufai over to his camp. This is the same governor who openly condemned him and praised his new adversary, and one-time political aide, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Asiwaju received warm and kind hospitality in Kaduna, where he donated fifty million to support the victim of a bandit attack. He repeated the same gesture in Katsina, Nassarawa, Niger and major parts of the north. The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje became his close ally. Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, became his integrity manager, and Zamfara state governor, Bello Matawale became his personal guide in the north. Need we wonder why Asiwaju especially appreciate the Election Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi, in his primary election appreciation speech?
While other contesters were busy buying delegates, Asiwaju was busy buying the interest of the governors and aspirants. Asiwaju knows how a regular politician would think and also prepare a way ahead of their thoughts and premonitions. He was indeed way ahead of the rest.
Even when the party chairman had announced that Ahmed Lawan was the chosen one, it was the northern governors who openly rejected the idea. The governors would later storm the residence of Abdulahi Adamu and request that he comes out to explain to them why a name would be mentioned outside the nod or approval of the National Working Committee, NWC or the Progressive Governors Forum. At the primary, the majority of Asiwaju’s enemies watched helplessly as he rode to victory before their very own eyes.
For the first time in Nigeria’s history: One man stood, fought and defeat the powers that be. No wonder he’s been referred to the same appellation of Abami’ as Fela was called in his days. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is indeed one of a kind.
