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Tag: tinubu

  • Tinubu, Omatseye get Nigerian Oscar awards

    Students from different campuses will converge on Sunday to honour the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with life-time achievement award. The former Lagos State governor would be honoured at the Nigerian Oscar Award for his contribution to the development of democracy in the country.

    The award will hold at Bespoke Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos.

    The organiser’s spokesperson, Adekolawole Longe, said the choice of Tinubu was informed by his political achievements in the last 16 years. He said students across campuses voted for the politician to be named as Nigerian Oscar Person of the Year.

    Adekolawole said: “Students across the country have decided to turn the spotlight on the statesmanship of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who has invested his resources and personal comfort to promote good democratic values and practice. More than any politician in this dispensation, Tinubu has promoted the principle federalism with strong conviction and unequal fervour. He is also a key player in the political movement that changes the country for better.”

    Also to be honoured at the event are individuals, who have distinguished themselves in the chosen career. They include Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Senator Babajide Omoworare, Chairman of The Nation’s Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye, Innocent Idibia (2face), Mr Taiwo Afolabi and Dr Dapo Majekodunmi, among others.

     

  • Buhari, Tinubu, governors bid Borgu emir farewell

    Buhari, Tinubu, governors bid Borgu emir farewell

    Borgu Emirate in Niger State was in a mourning yesterday as the remains of its Emir, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III (Mai Borgu), were laid to rest.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors and other dignitaries witnessed the funeral.

    Some of the late emir’s subjects, well-wishers and mourners broke down in tears

    The late emir, a former minister and ex-senator, died on Friday in a German hospital. He was 77.

    His remains were brought in by an Arik Air plane marked 5N-JEA, which landed at 11.00am at New Bussa Airport in Niger State.

    The body was received by Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and his Kebbi counterpart, Atiku Bagudu.

    After about 20-minute formalities at the airport, the body was brought out of the plane in a brown mahogany casket.

    While some in the crowd pushed forward to touch the casket, some of them broke down in tears on sighting it.

    Those crying were shouting: “See my Sarki, see my Sarki”.

    Many others who gathered at the Emir’s Palace wept when the body arrived in a Nigeria Air Force  hearse marked AF 221 BO1 around11:45 a.m.

    Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Minister-designate Alhaji Lai Mohammed attended the ceremony.

    Also there was Major Hamza El-Mustapha, the former chief security officer to the late Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha.

    Some of those who attended the funeral included the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and Emir of Bida, Yahaya Abubakar, who led other traditional rulers.

    Most churches cut short their services because of the emir’s burial.

    Markets and shops were also closed. Security was tight.

    Buhari and Tinubu arrived at the late Emir’s palace at 2:12pm.

    The President did not speak to reporters.

    Tinubu, who was turbaned Jagaban Borgu by the late emir in 2006, spoke with reporters.

    Clad in cream-colour agbada and brown cap and shoes to match, he told reporters: “He was a very close friend and compatriot. His death is a very personal loss to me. Particularly, it was very painful because when I saw him last Wednesday, he was looking radiant and ready to come back home.

    “And this sudden death is a great loss to the country. He is a patriot and a committed democrat and a valued Nigerian and a true leader of his people, not just limited to this kingdom, but across Africa. He is a bridge-builder and a unifier.”

    The prayer for the repose of his soul at the palace before burial was led by Chief Imam of New Bussa, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu.

    Some of the late emirs’ subjects spoke about him.

    Hajiya Halima Kudi said he was the emir of the people and accepted everyone into his kingdom, even strangers.

    She said: “It was during his reign as Emir that many others people came to settle in New Bussa. He was friendly to us and addressed our plight whenever we had one. His death is very painful to us.”

    Another resident Aminu Yusuf described the late emir as a good and honest man that sponsored many children in his kingdom and accepted everyone as his own.

    He said: “He sponsored our children to school and formed skills acquisition centres for them to ensure that they have some skills to fall back to. Now that he is gone, what are we going to do? Who is going to continue these things? Will there be another emir like him? Our benefactor is gone.”

    Alhaji Baba Kudu, another resident, said the late Eemir was simple and close to the people and has a listening ear.

    “No one goes into his palace without him listening to their plight and he tries his best to address it. It does not matter if you are an indigene or not; he listens to all. A very simple man with a heart of gold. He was the backbone of this kingdom. We will miss him a lot. I cannot say much, I just feel sad.”

    Another female subject, who did not want her name mentioned, said: “He is a man that has no problem with the people and government. He cares for us. He had open arms and heart, ready to welcome and help his people.

    “Although I am a stranger here, I could see the way he treated strangers and I was encouraged. His death is very painful and sudden. We never expected that such calamity will fall on us.”

  • In Guinea, Tinubu’s political prowess holds sway

    In Guinea, Tinubu’s political prowess holds sway

    Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media/Chief of Staff to National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlights the former Lagos State governor’s role in retaining his ‘trusted friend’ – Prof Alpha Conde in power in Conakry, Guinea.

    Though the October 11, 2015 presidential elections in Guinea Conakry have come and gone, not many would forget in a long time the key role played by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And just like he did in the Nigerian situation serving as the catalyst, the fulcrum alongside others and perhaps the “babalawo” that brought the opposition to power and chased away the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after 16 years in power, Asiwaju Tinubu has helped retain a trusted friend and pan-Africanist in power. Prof. Alpha Conde, the first democratically elected president of Guinea is back for a record second term of five years after a commanding first round victory of 58 per cent of total votes cast.

    The victory that came when the final results were announced was reward for handwork and a campaign that was on message. The political campaign of the incumbent president got a bite when Tinubu moved in to help his friend, a brother and a true African leader.  The journey for Alpha Conde’s re-election began sometime in May 2015 when he came to Nigeria for the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. President Conde not only met with Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, he met with other African leaders. He described his meeting with Buhari as very useful and insightful. President Conde in several conversations maintained that Africa has found in Buhari the leader it needs to lead it and move it forward. He said Buhari  is best suited to lead Africa where Goodluck Jonathan failed.

    On that same May trip, he also met with Tinubu to learn more about Nigeria’s political and election experience. He also discussed the political situation in Guinea and the Presidential election ahead. I recall that the President also met with the governor of Lagos State Akinwumi Ambode.

    After the initial May visit, Tinubu in June 2015 visited Conakry to further assessother country’s political terrain and the direction of the presidential campaigns. Soon after, Tinubu moved into Conakry personally with his team. The Tinubu election strategy and planning team comprising of six people quickly settled down to work with barely 60 days to the elections.

    Embedded within the Alpha Conde campaign organization, the Tinubu team worked on political messaging, speeches, social media interventions, election monitoring and countering the opponents and a day by day review of the campaign. Perhaps the most defining aspect of the presidential campaign was the ROBO call element, which was used for the first time in any election in Guinea. The Robo call involved the sending out of an automated message recorded by President Conde to about six million voters asking for their support and telling them he was their best choice. At least one in every 4 Guinean received such a direct phone call from the president. It soon became the talk of town as the president message in four languages went out to the electorate.  It was out in French, Fular, Malinke and Sousou. The social media also went abuzz discussing the timely direct voice messages from the president to the people.

    But back to the dynamics of the politics in Guinea. The last Presidential elections had some strong candidates in the opposition who were backed by big money and were armed to ensure they either win or create problems. The toughest challenger to Alpha Conde was the Fula leader and former Prime Minister, Ciello Djallo who had a strong 40 per cent support from his economically powerful fula tribe. Several weeks to the election, the calls for the postponement were rife coming mainly from the opposition. They hinged their calls for postponement on the non-preparedness of the electoral body in the issuance of voter cards and the fear that the elections will be marred by violence. However, they had a game plan. Their game plan was to force a second round ballot in which situation they would a very good chance of unseating the president. They failed in their attempt to postpone the election. They however did not fail togenerate some violence. The final campaign

    by Djallo turned out very violent. Five deaths were recorded. The tension rose. It was a day before Alpha Conde’s final rally for the RPG party.

    The campaign organization had to re-strategize quickly. If the president went ahead there would be violence and that would play into the script of the opposition to have the election postponed. The president took the hard decision with his team to cancel his final rally. it turned out to be a very smart political decision. It brought down the tension and calmed nerves. The opposition bit their fingers.

    The president went on Robo call to millions of Guineans asking them to remain calm. Not to burn Guinea but to build Guinea. He asked them to come out and vote peacefully on October 11. The decision not to postponement election was a tough one. Asiwaju Tinubu played a key role in advising the President to stick to the date, October 11. He provided context for the President by letting him into the experience Nigeria had during the last presidential elections.  This insight along with the understanding of the dynamics of the Guinean political situation helped the President Conde not to postpone the elections. The electoral body also stuck to its gun that it was ready to conduct the elections. Perhaps the most important voice was that of the diplomatic community that rang out in unison that Gunea was ready for the October 11 Presidential elections and that the talk of violence was perhaps exaggerated. Muhammad Ibn Chambers, the head of the UN delegation played a bit of shuttle diplomacy within Guinea nudging the diplomatic community to speak with one voice. He worked through the ranks of the Presidential candidates urging them to shun violence by speaking to their supporters to participate fully in the process.

    Fortunately, Election Day came on October 11, 2015 and there was no single act of violence or voter intimidation. Polls were extended from 6pm to 8pm to accommodate all the voters. At the end, the people of Guinea demonstrated their love for democracy and peaceful elections. The United Nations infact adjudged the presidential election in Guinea as one of the most credible and peaceful in Africa.

    The people of Guinea were patient enough for the electoral body, SENI to compile all results from across the country. It took about a week. But by the time 70 per cent of the results came in, the excitement began to build because Alpha Conde was in the clear lead and a first round victory was suddenly within reach. Sensing defeat the other candidates quickly held a press briefing to reject the results and ask for cancellation. It was a last ditch effort that failed. There was no way they could cancel the wish and the votes of nearly 6 million of their countrymen.

    Alpha Conde went ahead to win and earn another five years in power. But after the celebration of victory, he must settle down to govern and place Guinea on the path of accelerated development. The Kaleta electricity project that was the corner stone of his performance and electoral success must be expanded quickly to generate more power beyond its present 240-mega watts. The roads need attention, more foreign direct investments are needed, urban renewal, job creation, education must be subsidized and programs to reduce poverty must be rolled out. Therein lies the only way he can reward the electorate for trusting him to be their leader for another 5 years.

    The Nigerian experienced rubbed off. Thanks to Tinubu and many others who worked silently behind the scene to make sure democracy not only grows but also survives in a country like Guinea. Nigeria’s neighbor. Tinubu seems to be about the business of installing presidents across Africa. But beyond that he is more about ensuring democracy thrives and good governance is enthroned in Africa. Nigeria under the current leadership now has the moral and political leverage to support and lead other African nations on this path.

  • Tinubu’s N150b suit against AIT referred for pretrial

    Tinubu’s N150b suit against AIT referred for pretrial

    A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday adjourned till November 16, the N150 billion libel suit filed by former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu against Daar Communications Plc, owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT).

    Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe adjourned the suit to enable parties exhaust the option of settlement in a pretrial conference.

    Tinubu, who is also the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), instituted the suit against AIT for allegedly peddling false accusations on his person in a documentary, titled: Lion of Bourdilion.

    The ex-governor said the documentary was politically-sponsored to tarnish his reputation in the public eye.

    At the last hearing on September 30, Justice Akinkugbe adjourned the matter till yesterday for further directives.

    On April 1, he granted an interlocutory injunction restraining AIT from further airing the documentary, pending the determination of the suit.

    Yesterday, Tinubu’s counsel Mr. Ayo Adesanmi, informed the court that both parties had exchanged pretrial conference forms and that no intention to settle had been shown.

    Adesanmi asked that the matter be referred to a judge.

    But Justice Akinkugbe referred parties to the Case Management Conference (CMC), saying if they insisted on not settling during the conference, then a judge would be assigned to the case.

    The matter was adjourned till November 16.

  • •Govt hails Senator Tinubu’s motion on Apapa gridlock

    •Govt hails Senator Tinubu’s motion on Apapa gridlock

    Lagos State Government has praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her motion on easing the Apapa traffic gridlock.

    It has appealed to the National Assembly to hasten hearing on the motion to bring relief to the public, especially those using the road and Apapa residents.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Steve Ayorinde yesterday hailed the Senate for accepting the motion.

    Ayorinde said the development was heart-warming, noting that it shows the government’s effort at addressing the problem has caught the Senate’s attention.

    The Senate’s intervention, he said, would complement the government’s moves in finding lasting solution to the gridlock and lessening the people’s hardship.

  • Anglican Church hails Tinubu

    Anglican Church hails Tinubu

    Members of the Anglican Church in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, have hailed the contributions of former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the evolution of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    They urged the party’s national leader to intervene in resolving the salary crisis in some Southwest states under the party’s control.

    The Diocese’s Bishop, Rev Philip Adeyemo, made the call at the weekend in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government, during his address to the third session of the second synod.

    Rev Adeyemo called on Tinubu to handle issues of attacks against him with tact, particularly as it related to his successor.

    The clergy said: “We appreciate the doggedness of Tinubu in the evolution of the governing party and his support for the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Please we want the APC leader to do something about the salary arrears in some APC states in the Southwest. Please sir, your intervention to proffer solution in this matter is highly solicited.”

  • Buhari, Tinubu have same character, says SGF Lawal

    Buhari, Tinubu have same character, says SGF Lawal

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, an Engineer, yesterday described  President Muhammadu Buhari and a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as selfless and generous leaders whose commitment to the  good of all is legendary.

    The duo, Lawal said at a thanksgiving service at ECWA Church, Wuse, Abuja on his recent appointment, share a passion for serving humanity.

    The SGF who is a long standing friend of the President said he has learned the value of loyalty and the virtues of integrity and love from Buhari.

    He also said that the president could be extremely emotional, especially if he finds people suffering.

    He said the country is in safe hands under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari, adding: “The country is in safe hands and we will try our best to deliver the change the All Progressives Congress (APC) promised Nigerians, we have no time to waste in ensuring this.” he said.

    He also said that the ministerial nominees would do well to advance the course of the nation and the people once they assume office.

    He said Tinubu is selfless and generous to a fault.

    “Tinubu made an impression on me, he is generous, he will give you what you require and even more.”

    Tinubu speaking through Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State at the occasion threw his weight behind President Buhari on his appointment of Engineer Lawal as SGF.

    He hailed Lawal’s choice as a step in the right direction and was optimistic that the SGF  would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the office.

    Tinubu extolled Lawal’s qualities, saying that while some of his contemporaries have succumbed to the temptation of illicit wealth and the abuse of power and privilege, he (Lawal) has remained faithful to the course of the nation.

    “If you are looking for a man who is diligent in his work with a keen eye for details and correct process, there is none better than Babachir Lawal,” Tinubu said.

    He added: “He knows this nation and understands its complexities, from the intricacies of our federal bureaucracy to the diversity of our social fabric to the, multiple dimensions of our political dynamics.

    “He is a man well-tailored to fit his position in today’s Nigeria where we find ourselves in a situation not meant for the faint hearted. A situation that requires grit, guts and wisdom.  These attributes, Lawal has in abundance”.

    Tinubu said that despite the qualities the SGF possesses, he has remained humble, a trait he said is rare in the nation’s political climate.

    “He is humble and does not need to see his name in the spotlight. As long as the job is done correctly, he is happy. He does not seek credit even when duly deserved. This humility and self-contentment is not a common thing, especially in the arena of politics and government”.

    He expressed confidence that Lawal will ensure that operations of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will be conducted smoothly and professionally.

    “He will do his utmost to do the best for all of Nigeria. He plays no favorites and is not one to operate under the veil of bias or discrimination. This big often gruff man also has a big heart and that heart is dedicated to good of our beloved land.”

    In his remarks, the APC National Chairman, Mr. John Odigie-Oyegun, called the SGF a man of impeccable character, humble to a fault and “brutally frank and ferocious in defending whatever he believes in.”

     

     

     

  • Tinubu’s aide to Saraki: play down personal desire

    Tinubu’s aide to Saraki: play down personal desire

    •Senate President: no plot against Buhari

    An aide to All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged Senate President Bukola Saraki  not to allow his personal interest to affect the screening of ministerial nominees.

    In a statement, Mr. Sunday Dare,  Tinubu’s Chief of Staff/Special Adviser  (Media), said “Tinubu will remain true to the progressive ideas that fuelled the creation of the (APC)”.

    Reacting to a news story published by “The Sun” at the weekend that Tinubu was under security watch, having been fingered to be working with the senate president to thwart the ministerial screening, Dare said:  ”Given the exigencies of his position, President (Muhammadu Buhari) is placed in an unenviable position to some degree.

    “The duties of his office give him no choice; necessity constrains him, requiring that he discuss with Senator Saraki. As party leader, Asiwaju is free of such constraints.

    “On these matters, I know where Asiwaju Tinubu stands. He remains glued to the party decision that the manner by which Saraki captured his current seat travestied party discipline. It was a crass act of disloyalty showing that Saraki may have joined the APC on paper but has remained true to the malpractices and wrong aims of the reactionary PDP in his soul.

    “The alleged conspiracy is a figment. It takes at least two people to make a conspiracy.

    “There has been no substantive communication between Asiwaju and Saraki since the latter decided to foul the integrity of the Senate and the party.

    “To be truthful, I don’t think Saraki would care to hear what Asiwaju would have to say to him. He would admonish the Senator to treat the nomination process with dispatch, justice, fairness, transparency, and most of all with the greatest patriotism.

    “He would counsel Saraki to shelve his personal situation for the moment to concentrate on the people’s business. It would be a grave mistake and abuse of office for Saraki to directly or indirectly inject his personal matter into the approval process.

    “Saraki should not link the approval of a single Minister to his desire for extrajudicial treatment of his issues.”

    The full statement is hereby reproduced.

  • ‘No rift between Aregbesola and Tinubu’

    ‘No rift between Aregbesola and Tinubu’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has described as laughable, a publication claiming that the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was under security watch.

    The party, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kunle Oyatomi, said the report revealed the extreme desperation of some media houses to create bad blood within the APC leadership.

    It said there was no basis for such an action because the relationship between Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior members of the party remains excellent.

    The APC said: “For any news outlet to systematically demonise the national leader of our party is most unpatriotic act against a leader who put his life on the line in conjunction with others to save Nigeria from the brink of collapse.”

    The party denied that there was a rift between Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Tinubu on ministerial nomination.

    Oyatomi said the party never unilaterally submitted names of ministerial nominees.

    “To have therefore suggested that there was a disagreement between Aregbesola and Tinubu on this issue is false and mischievous.

    “The party appeals to the media to be responsible and patriotic. The state of the nation calls for patriotism on all sides.

    “Our collective struggle should be allowed to grow democracy, promote freedom and enshrine peace and progress in Nigeria. We should not encourage insidious news report, capable of destabilising the country,” the statement said.

  • ‘Tinubu remains true to the APC vision and the Nigeria project’

    ‘Tinubu remains true to the APC vision and the Nigeria project’

    The SUN Newspaper has taken a sad excursion from journalism into the realm of gothic tales and political slander. That sheet has turned itself into a harbor of perjury and malice in telling tales by moonlight. In venturing to publish the recent story that Asiwaju Tinubu has conspired with Senator Saraki to thwart the Buhari administration, the SUN Newspaper has descended to the lowest and darkest rungs of journalism ethics. The stench of the piece and motives behind it are too noxious to ignore.

    Those who midwifed this garish tale give birth not to truth but to lies intended to kill APC unity and to retard the Buhari administration’s strategic reform initiatives, as earlier outlined by our party manifesto.  Given the potential for change that stands before us, we are now beginning to see the true nature of many people. There are those who truly want positive change so that we can break from the ways of a stolid past. Then there are those who speak of change with their mouths but never believe in it in their hearts. They came along with us for the ride or because no other political option availed itself at the operative time. Now given the chance to redeem themselves from their past political actions, they would rather return to the political morass from whence they came.

    The idea of an alleged conspiracy between Tinubu and Saraki against the President is an execrable lie. Without any proof except the veil of innuendo and some hatemongers masquerading as presidency sources, the story proclaims that the government is surveilling Asiwaju Tinubu because of his purported unhappiness about the ministerial list.

    Too mischievous yet cowardly for their own good, the yarn-spinners at the SUN neglect to precisely state what terrible thing they believe Tinubu to have done. This ambiguity is in part purposeful; their villainy seeks to place the innocent on edge and to cause those who must work together if the nation is to progress to begin to doubt the bona fides of each other.  With such a story, they hope to break the walls of confidence so that they may kindle mutual animus between the President and Tinubu. By getting the two to fight and weaken each other, they may then swoop down to destroy both.

    If this nation is to have more than a fleeting chance of escaping the quagmire into which years of PDP misrule have taken us, we cannot allow these regressive elements to deploy their cunning tricks to divide and pit progressive against progressive.

    Here, I will do those who inhabit the shadows of untruth a favor. I will state explicitly what they hoped to get the reader to infer. Their claim is that Tinubu has joined with Saraki to scuttle the President’s ministerial nominations. They have misfired.

    Their wrong is a great wrong.  Like the rest of us, Asiwaju Tinubu waited for the President to select his cabinet. The majority of the selections have been made. There is nothing to do but congratulate the appointees and pray for them. Their responsibilities are vast, the future of the nation now rests on their shoulders. The challenges before them are manifold and daunting. Those who want the best for Nigeria can only hope that these people succeed. The only intervention that Asiwaju Tinubu would make is one of encouragement. He would charge them to remain true to the progressive vision of the party and our President. None should allow themselves to be enticed to join league with those who would cast us back into the old mould of PDP governance: to Pilfer, Destroy and Pillage.  Instead they should cohere faithfully to the enlightened programmes and promises made by our party and this government.

    Other than voice this encouragement, Bola Tinubu will never say a negative word or lift a finger to forestall anyone’s approval before the Senate.

    For the record, the Buhari Presidency was brought to life by the votes of millions of Nigerians who desire change. Such a collective and historic achievement is not one that anyone who worked to bring it to life would easily seek to deconstruct.

    This government is for the betterment of the people and the national purpose; it is bigger and more important than any individual’s desires.

    In our journey to national betterment, plans and policies will be made, then amended. Mistakes will occur and then corrected.  Achievements will be hard and replicated. Through it all, Asiwaju will remain true to the progressive ideals that fuelled the creation of the APC. He has devoted his political life to achieve what has been achieved. His heart is too much of the people and his mind too fixed on establishing a positive historic legacy to suffer such a cynical policy or engage in the destructive pettiness of which he is accused.

    He would not toss aside a lifetime’s labour because of an alleged slight and certainly would not join with Senator Saraki in stymying this government which may just be the nation’s last best chance to salvage itself.

    Given the exigencies of his position, President Buhari is placed in an unenviable position to some degree. The duties of his office give him no choice; necessity constrains him, requiring that he discuss with Senator Saraki. As party leader, Asiwaju is free of such constraints. On these matters, I know where Asiwaju  Tinubu stands. He remains glued to the party decision that the manner by which Saraki captured his current seat travestied party discipline. It was a crass act of disloyalty showing that Saraki may have joined the APC on paper but has remained true to the malpractices and wrong aims of the reactionary PDP in his soul.

    The alleged conspiracy is a figment. It takes at least two people to make a conspiracy. There has been no substantive communication between Asiwaju and Saraki since the latter decided to foul the integrity of the Senate and the party. To be truthful, I don’t think Saraki would care to hear what Asiwaju would have to say to him. He would admonish the Senator to treat the nomination process with dispatch, justice, fairness, transparency, and most of all with the greatest patriotism.

    He would counsel Saraki to shelve his personal situation for the moment to concentrate on the people’s business. It would be a grave mistake and abuse of office for Saraki to directly or indirectly inject his personal matter into the approval process. Saraki should not link the approval of a single Minister to his desire for extrajudicial treatment of his issues.

    If adhering to the decisions of the party, supporting the government’s progressive plank and working for the good of the people qualifies Tinubu for surveillance, then he will accept that. However, we know that any such surveillance is not from state security organs. Such activity would come from the insecurity agencies of the PDP and its mercenary allies elsewhere who would seek to fragment the true core of the APC so that they may scuttle the Buhari reform program and return the nation to the misgovernance of the past. They hope to delude the APC into attacking itself. By so doing, they believe they can regain through stealth, the reins of government the people seized from them through elections. They seek to break the hearts and hopes of the people. Asiwaju Tinubu would never team with anyone to gain such an inhumane objective.

    While the Sun seems to have abandoned its journalistic norms, Tinubu shall remain true to his progressive ideals.

    • Dare is Chief of Staff to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu/Special Adviser Media