Columnist Benjamin Achi offers a tongue-in-cheek commentary in defence of a character trait that distinguishes APC’s candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Here indeed is a true Israelite in whom there is no guile…“
Those were the gratifying words that the fairest of the children of men, Jesus the Christ, deployed in appraisal of the personality of Nathaniel, upon setting eyes on him for the very first time. Those words, which we read in the Christian good book, (1st chapter of John’s gospel, verse 47), was nothing short of an “endorsement” for the one who was to end up as a chosen member of the apostolic college. Jesus found Nathaniel so authentic and true to himself; a man with no duplicity nor pretences, that he considered him worthy of the great task.
Yes! He loved Nathaniel for at least being true!
This is exactly what I love about the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu. From the moment he joined the presidential race to the day he “won” the party primaries, (thanks to his astute political manoeuvrings aided by his deep pocket), and down to his outings both at the Chatham House and at his political rallies, Asewaju has been clear about his intention: to fulfil his life time ambition of BEING the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has never pretended about this, neither has he spoken from the two sides of his mouth. It has never been tongue-in-cheek.
He has always been clear and categorical about it: man wants to BE president. Simple. In rallies, Tinubu’s signature has been mumbling words, producing unintelligible sounds and gestures and making disjointed and preposterous remarks. But each time it comes to expressing this intention, he has always come through quite articulate, whether he speaks in English or in Yoruba. His message is always clear: He wants to BE president. He even told us it was his turn, eventhough the criteria or parameters with which he arrived at that conclusion remain unclear.
His intentions are clear
Note that there has been this emphasis on the word, “BE”. That is intentional and is meant to drive the mesage home. Wanting to BE present is totally different from wanting to DO the work of the president.
Now, this is where we are getting it wrong: Asewaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t tell us he was coming to provide leadership; he hasn’t said anything that sounds like he is thinking of providing governance or addressing any of the myriad of problems bedeviling the country. It’s about occupying the office. In other words, he wouldn’t mind singing his Nunc Dimittis, per adventure he meets with that much desired fortune of taking that oath that they never keep and then being addressed as “Mr President.”
That’s why I quarrel with those who want his campaign to be issue based. What issues? Did he say he is coming to address issues? He simply wants to be president. You’re disgusted that he was sharing questions addressed to him at the Chatham House to his lieutenants. Why not? He is not coming to answer questions. He wants to be president. As it is with Tinubu, so it is with Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar.
So please folks, cut Bola Ahmed Tinubu some slack. Leave the old man alone. Peter Obi is the man who wants to take up the trouble of governance and address issues. That’s why he has been answering all the questions. Poor him.
Just one final reminder: we have just a few days away to go make that choice between those who want the office for the sake of it and the one who seeks an opportunity to sanitise the system. Make no mistakes about it: the choice is ours to make.
Benjamin Achi: In defence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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