•Comrade AYODELE ADEWALE Tells City People
Comrade Ayodele Adewale is one of the closest political associates of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Leader, who is running for the Presidency. He is Tinubu’s godson. He met Tinubu as a student leader at LASU and for decades he has remained a loyalist. He was also a 2- term Chairman of Amuwo Local government and he’s now the Organizing Secretary of Lagos APC.
In a recent interview with City People magazine, he described Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a man after God’s heart. He made this known at the City People Political Roundtable session on Monday, 21st February 2022.
Speaking on the sequence of betrayals and backstabs that Asiwaju has experienced over the years, he noted that Asiwaju has never lost sleep over any of his loyalists betraying him, yet he has remained relevant and on top of his game for over 30 years and still counting. Below are excerpts:
What do you make of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s recent outburst against Asiwaju?
What happened in Osun is unfortunate. All I will say is a river that forgets its source will dry off. We all have our origin,; you don’t depart from your origin.. God will not come from heaven to lift you. He will send humans to you. He will send angels in human form.
“And it is not in your place to crucify them. He was fortunate to have been very close. A lot of people felt that in the system of succession, when Asiwaju grows up in ripe age, Aregbe will be the next man in line. He disappointed a lot of us because we are not trained to be rude even if we have things that are bugging us, we will come to you, and inquire on the reasons you choose to take that step, respectfully.
And once the explanation is given, you’ll let it go and you’ll move. Now he has been demystified. So for us, it is a thing of pain because we saw him as an example of loyalty. Loyalty is not when you stand in the time of comfort, loyalty is when you stand when its not convenient for you and you don’t waver. Even the bible said you will be tested. I have also been tested. All I have to say is that we young people are very disappointed.
What do you think could have triggered Ogbeni Aregbe’s fury against Asiwaju?
There are two things I will opine on. You do not know a man until he has tasted Power. And like they say Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. The second is metaphysical. There are principalities and powers in high places. May God continue to guide and protect us. So either way, we are very disappointed, it’s a lesson for everybody.”
Do you think Asiwaju Tinubu will be angry with Aregbe’s derisive utterances?
“Noooo. Such behaviour does not get Asiwaju angry. No, no, no.” The Asiwaju that I know is not perturbed about Ogbeni Aregbesola’s comment, but instead will rather pull him closer and mend fences with him where necessary.
Do you think this sequence of betrayals will affect Asiwaju in any way?
One thing I know for sure is that all the gang-ups against Asiwaju will not affect him in any way. In fact, it will make him stronger. Asiwaju is also very forgiving. That’s his nature. And I believe that is what God has used to continue to make him live longer. Some of us are praying for that kind of spirit. I think that is why God has prolonged his life. One of his security officers who had COVID was always in front of Asiwaju, yet Asiwaju didn’t get COVID despite the fact that Lateef had COVID. It can only be the Grace of God.
Look at David, he killed a man and took his wife. David ate the food that is not meant to be eaten by mere men. But God still says this is a man after my heart. Asiwaju is a man after God’s heart. If he’s not, he would have been demystified long ago. If it’s not for God, Asiwaju will not still be popular as he is today. He will not have followers across Nigeria. But mind you, he’s human also. He has emotions too. He can be very emotional. But he’s quick to gather himself.
How is the southwest taking the news that Osinbajo is contesting against Asiwaju for the presidency?
You see, we should keep our eyes on the ball and don’t get distracted. Prof is doing his constitutional duty as a Vice President. Those people that are campaigning for him to be President, after Prof’s tenure as vice president, what will happen to those people? The truth is they want to keep Prof in office to secure their jobs.
Prof has said countless times that he’s not having any ambition, that he just wants to do his work. So those people that are mobilising themselves are representing their own interests. During my time, when they said I should allow a woman to go for the House of Reps seat because Lagos has 24 reps, but no woman, and if they allow women to file out, none of them will win the primary.
Asiwaju told me; “Ayo, can we work together to allow a woman from your side? I said no problem. But unfortunately, the area was not ready for a woman to be rep’. Yes, there have been a series of speculations that the Vice President plans to run for President, but he has not declared his intention in public.”
In the next 3 months, we will know whether prof is contesting or not, but as of today, Professor Osinbajo is only doing his job as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has no political ambition.?”
Does that mean all is well between Asiwaju and VP?” Oh, all is well between VP Osinbajo and Asiwaju? I can assure you that all is well between them.
What are your views about Asiwaju’s health as people think he’s too weak and lacks the stamina needed for him to rule a country like Nigeria?
Look (cuts in)… I have been confirmed dead and was awake pretty much later. I am a spiritual person, the pastor came, prayed, and miraculously I came back to life. If you see my dentition, you’ll notice it’s an offshoot of what I passed through. And when I talk to you, you’ll see me looking down trying to recollect. It doesn’t mean I’m not normal actually. People fall sick and they come back, even at old age, it brings a lot of things, your metabolism starts changing but your brain is very active, the physicality of Asiwaju is indeed active when you see some young people trying that but they cannot go through the rigour Asiwaju goes through. If you know him very well; he wakes up very early; drinks his coffee and reads the newspapers. Asiwaju will come down to meet with visitors from 10 o’clock, and he won’t go back up again until 4 am the next morning. Can you do that as a young man? It will tell on the body! He can’t age like you. He doesn’t sleep 8 hours. I don’t sleep 8 hours but I go to every care now, I have sleep syndrome. It has disturbed my sleeping pattern. My working from the activism in the university. I will stay on campus until 2 am. What am I still doing on campus by 2 am? I’m still on the table trying to work out some things. That’s how I live my life. Do you think I will be normal like you in terms of sleep or physical look like you? I have overworked my energy. Again it’s gain, Awolowo said when they were sleeping and moving around with women of easy virtue, I, Awolowo was busy burning candles and thinking for the next generation. That is the difference, he has gained mileage in experience, strength and whatever you want to think of.
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