Politics
How Known Tinubu ‘Enemies’ Marked His Birthday
The 69th birthday anniversary of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was about the most celebrated political activity of the month of March. The birthday which climaxed with a colloquium in Kano saw the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC hailed across the polity for his remarkable efforts in championing the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999. Known enemies of Tinubu also chipped in words of adulation to the political leader.
While well-known friends fawned about the national leader, a number of political actors who had gained a reputation for their political issues with Tinubu also chipped in burying their differences for once to celebrate the national leader of the APC.
Among those who have been severally speculated to be in contention with Tinubu but who came out to celebrate him were Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and notably the APC Governors’ Forum.
However, one man who has been unpretentious about his attitude towards Tinubu and who kept mum throughout the charged celebrations was Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State. He would not be ashamed to say that he is one of the political ‘enemies’ of Tinubu.
Few would forget that El-Rufai had just about one year ago during a colloquium to mark the 60th birthday of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola defined his dislike to Tinubu saying:
“I’m not Asiwaju’s man and you (Aregbesola) are Asiwaju’s man, but I am your man any day. Asiwaju and I have differences but you and I have no differences.”
Hence it was no surprise that he was neither at the Arewa lecture delivered by Tinubu in Kaduna nor at the colloquium on Monday to mark the birthday.
Rotimi Amaechi
Amaechi who is a close political ally of El-Rufai’s has been alleged to have an interest pairing with El-Rufai against Tinubu’s bid for the 2023 ticket of the party.
Amaehci, however, felicitated with Tinubu describing him as an accomplished political leader.
“Congratulations Jagaban as you turn 69 today. We celebrate you and wish you the very best. Your contributions to nation building and to the growth of the APC in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.
Kayode Fayemi
Dr. Kayode Fayemi who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF is presently regarded as the greatest challenger to Tinubu’s bid in the Southwest. While Fayemi would not regard himself as such, but few in the Tinubu camp regard the Ekiti governor as one of their leading enemies.
Fayemi made a bid to attend the colloquium in Kano but his trip was aborted by bad weather.
Fayemi, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Iyebode, described Tinubu as leader of leaders.
The governor said that the former Lagos governor was a distinguished Nigerian and courageous, reliable, dependable and passionate leader.
Fayemi, who is the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), also described Tinubu as a statesman, with an uncommon political sagacity and generosity.
According to him, the two qualities have made the APC leader to stand out as one of the leading lights of progressive politics in the country.
“Asiwaju Tinubu’s ability to identify, nurture and engage talents is unequalled. His life has been a testimony of human capital development in an unrelenting struggle for a better life for people.
“He is not only an accomplished politician; he is a statesman par excellence, a dogged fighter and strong voice in the fight against military dictatorship and enthronement of democratic rule in the country.
“We can only wish him many more useful and productive years in service to humanity.
APC Governors
The Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) the body of APC governors took the lead in the ongoing membership revalidation and registration exercise, an exercise many claim is targeted at cutting down Tinubu’s influence in the APC.
Besides, the APC governors championed the removal of the former national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who they perceived as too close to Tinubu.
The governors also were said not to have minded frustrating the APC in Edo State just to humble Oshiomhole and Tinubu.
But commending Tinubu, the governors in a statement issued by their chairman, Atiku Bagudu said:
“We particularly wish to acknowledge and commend your untiring and selfless leadership and commitment to a united and prosperous Nigeria.
“We rejoice with you and will always continue to look up to you for inspiration and guidance,” Bagudu, who is also the Governor of Kebbi, said.
“As our national leader, you certainly represent one of the inspirations for our successes.
“Congratulations and happy birthday to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Jagaban of Bogu Kingdom,” he said.
Besides Governor Fayemi, another Southwest governor known to have a suspicious relationship with Tinubu is Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. In fact, some would guess that Akeredolu as the most visible of the political enemies of Tinubu in the Southwest.
After the two failed in 2012 bid to remove Governor Segun Mimiko when Akeredolu flew the ticket of Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN the two subsequently went their separate ways.
Akeredolu it would be recalled emerged as the APC candidate against Tinubu’s stance in 2016 and in 2020.
Akeredolu, however, wished him a happy birthday last Monday describing him as a living legend.
Governor Akeredolu in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said Tinubu is undoubtedly, a famous person and many stories can be told about him.
Recalling the roles of the APC National leader in the enthronement of democracy in the nation, Governor Akeredolu noted that his efforts and dedication to the development of the country will remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria.
Governor Akeredolu said the national leader of APC is a symbol of consistency and loyalty in party politics.
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