In case you don’t
know, Baba Akande is a former Deputy Governor of old Oyo State, former
Governor of Osun State, former Interim Chairman of Alliance for Democracy,
former Chairman of AC, former Interim Chairman of APC and much more, is one of
the most respected and revered leaders in Nigeria today. He has worked hard to
earn that uncommon reputation. If you want someone who can bring about a
consensus where it seems strife is inevitable, then Baba Akande is your
man. He is very honest and remarkably frank. He is also a man of
fairness, justice and peace. Most people I know see him as an icon and treat
him as one. He is seen as one of the few Yoruba leaders who has remained
steadfast and loyal to the lofty ideals and heights of the late sage, Chief
Obafemi Awolowo. I have done this little introduction for the sake of our young
ones who may not know how important and influential Baba Akande is.
When such a political
colossus speaks, therefore, you must listen attentively to one of our most
outstanding symbols. Yes, Baba Akande spoke two days ago and tremor
reverberated across the nation. In fact, he said what many of us already knew
was coming. I had written several times about it, more appropriately, against
it. I’ve never hidden my disdain against the idea of zoning political
appointments. Zoning and Federal character have both failed to cure the
maladies that gave birth to them. They have mostly empowered and enriched some
cliques and acolytes. Those policies could not have succeeded in any event
because they fail to take account of the truism that merit cannot be sacrificed
on the altar of expediency as the only result is doom.
My interpretation of Baba
Akande’s salvo is that the alliance at the centre is about to collapse. The
ruling party, APC, is about to splinter into many parts, unless a miracle
happens very fast. A rebellion of monumental proportions is brewing even if it
has not yet exploded into smithereens. I have no doubt in my mind that the
cookie is about to crumble and the bubble is about to burst. Please, watch this
space, and note more what Baba Akande has not said than what he said.
What Baba Akande has not
said is simply that the days when the Presidency would be voluntarily zoned to
exclude most sections of the country in favour of another section, whether the
candidate presented and supported by the people is competent or useless, are
over. The truth is zoning never worked anyway, as some Presidential candidates
left their original parties for other parties in defiance of the zoning formula
of their own party. Without mincing words, it is obvious that the Yoruba
leadership has decided it would no longer support other tribes, zones or
regions to attain to power to the exclusion of their tribe. They would rather
work hard, reach out, and join hands with like minds to get power. Their
decision is borne out of the acute frustration and disappointment that makes
them feel cheated about the Nigerian configuration which does not throw up the
best but regularly favours the dregs of society who have only contributed to
drawing Nigeria backward, in most cases.
The campaign has probably
started in earnest, culminating in the search for a Yoruba Presidency. Though
the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Peter Ayodele Fayose has controversially but
ceremoniously thrown his hat into the ring, it is the fact that the capo di
tutti capi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, may be warming up for his turn to take a
major shot at the race of his life that is most significant.
Mark my words. One of the
greatest political strategists in Nigeria, Tinubu is tired of being a kingmaker
and he would rather be the king. Indeed, that has always been his ambition but
this has been largely curtailed by circumstances. Like many of those who
supported Major General Muhammadu Buhari to attain power, after so many
attempts, the former Senator and former Governor of Lagos State, feels he’s not
gotten the respect and relevance he deserves for his monumental effort.
Accordingly, he seems determined to make a personal push.
Apart from the virtues of
Baba Akande that I have enumerated above, a lesser known one is his deep sense
of loyalty. In thus regard he is known to he fiercely loyal to Asiwaju, who saw
his sterling qualities and has promoted them on the national stage. When he
spoke therefore, he was also wittingly or unwittingly acting as his friend’s
voice and heralding Asiwaju’s aspiration to be top dog! The options that are
likely to be pursued by Tinubu can be shortly and succinctly summarised.
BAT, as we love to call him,
will contest as Presidential candidate. Clearly, such an audacious attempt
would be in a party other than APC which going by recent events and noises, is
likely to insist on fielding a miraculously rejuvenated President Buhari. This
is obviously Asiwaju’s preferred move, but again the present dynamics and the
dark clouds which hovers ominously over him may mean that he is better suited
to hide behind another person as President. Remember, age and health are going
to be strong factors in the coming election and at 65 now, Tinubu is seen as
having crossed the threshold.
The second option is to
realise his limitations and pressurise APC into submission to the extent that
he would have to be appeased and rewarded. BAT’s former protégé and current
Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo may be cajoled into stepping down for
his political mentor. It is not known if President Buhari would agree to
this fiasco, which would mean, not only a Muslim Muslim ticket but also one
without the benefit and refreshing vigour of vibrant youth, out of desperation
for a second term.
No matter what you think,
these are not the easiest of times for APC. It is very clear that there are no
easy options ahead with the number of hardened and resolute aspirants on
parade, including the flighty former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku who seems
on the way out of APC. Some are also suggesting an Atiku/Tinubu ticket but
there won’t be much difference between that pair and that of Buhari/Tinubu on
account of age and religion. This is why many feel Tinubu just wants to rattle
Buhari to bring him to the negotiating table but I thing he’s very determined
about being the president himself after helping a few African Presidents to
power.
Sadly, it is not just about
elections and ambitions, even the presidential team is rapidly falling apart.
Everyone is fighting everybody and it is so disheartening and distressing! What
we envisaged to be a change is fast becoming a mirage and turning out to be a
riotous calamity!
Source: thebossnewspapers
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