Tinubu’s verbal Indiscretion

Bola Tinubu

If ever I have had an occasion to disagree with Jagaban, his latest statement that "Nigeria needs Atiku to make life more meaningful" is it. The Ashiwaju of Yoruba politics said this in his birthday message to the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku  Abubakar.

This statement is an insult to Nigeria and Nigerians, and it is unfortunate that it emanated from a man like Bola Tinubu. Nigerians should not be so insulted because of politics of self-interest. The Ashiwaju got his comment wrong one more time.

 It is ironic that Tinubu would hang the hope of over 180 million people on a man who was No. 2 in a government he (Tinubu) spent all of his eight-year reign as Lagos State Governor fighting. That regime is today seen as one of the most corrupt the country has ever witnessed. Yet, for sake of amala, ube and orka politics, Tinubu today says the man who was next in command in that regime is the hope of Nigeria.

The truth is that Nigeria doesn't need Atiku and his likes. On the contrary, it is Atiku who needs Nigeria – not the other way round. Nigeria made Atiku whatever he is today and he should be grateful. He should be grateful that Nigeria offered him the privilege of being her Vice President for 8 good years. He should be grateful for the other opportunities Nigeria offered him, and continues to offer him, without him repaying her other than to partake in her serial  rape. 

Bola Tinubu should please not assault our sensibilities with his verbal indiscretion. This indirect shot at the direction of the current occupant of Aso Rock is not lost on Nigerians. His politics of subterfuge and booby traps will no longer work in Nigeria. Nigerians are wiser. 

As leader of the ruling party, if Tinubu has an issue with Mr. President, he should seek amicable way of resolving it with him. To expect that the President would kowtow to him and bow to his wishes at all times is unacceptable. Tinubu himself would not accept such if he were the President.

Nor should Nigerians accept it.  There has to be a time when even a man like Tinubu has to let go. If he thinks his electoral value as a politician is unassailable, and that he now has the right to speak for Nigerians, he should take time to find out the kind of emotions he evokes outside the southwest.