Home
Tinubu, PDP and The Road to 2019 By Dele Momodu
Fellow Nigerians, you must be wondering what
this title is all about. Please, calm down, Asiwaju
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one of Nigeria’s iconic
politicians, is not about to dump his party, APC,
for PDP, the party he fought hard with others to
sack from power just last year.
The reason for bringing PDP into this article
which largely concerns the Tinubu conundrum is
very simple and straight-forward. PDP has
suffered calamities upon catastrophes since
General Muhammadu Buhari sacked President
Goodluck Jonathan from office. It is hard to
imagine, or believe, that a party that held Nigeria
by the jugular for 16 solid years could attain
meltdown so soon and almost disappear into
oblivion.
One would have expected PDP, despite its
electoral misfortune, to provide a formidable
opposition to APC and keep President Buhari on
his toes but that has not been the case. APC
has wasted no time in sending PDP to an early
grave by throwing poisonous darts at it from
every angle.
The war against corruption has been a most
veritable weapon with stupendous impact used
by APC to scatter most of the PDP apparatchik
to the winds. The strategy was to weaken them
by showcasing the humongous corruption that
was perpetrated and perpetuated during their
reign. The PDP brand was thus obliterated in a
jiffy. Many of their bigwigs confessed to
nefarious and horrendous crimes of looting and
brigandage. They coughed up or vomited
incredible sums of cash.
All entreaties and shouts of a vengeful witch-
hunt against President Buhari fell on deaf ears.
The more they screamed the more they were
horse-whipped into submission and made to
weep bitterly.
As if that was not bad enough, PDP engaged
itself in a war of attrition and became a house
divided against itself. It was only a matter of
time before it crumbled like the proverbial cookie
does. Today, PDP has become its own worst
enemy with the brickbats being thrown at one
another by members of what used to be touted
as the biggest political party in Africa. How are
the mighty fallen!
The aim of my piece this week is to attempt
what I did in 2014 when I wrote a permutative
article titled ‘In Search of Mathematicians’. That
was how I predicted a win for Buhari when many
pundits still doubted such possibility. I intend to
do so again in this column by painting a picture
of what to expect in 2019. If you think that year
is still far away, perish the thought.
The battle for the next Nigerian Presidential
election started as soon as the last one was lost
and won. The hurly-burly of the elections had
not yet settled down when the potential
gladiators picked up their gauntlets in readiness
for the next combat.
The ruling party APC has suffered its own
casualties as a result of its self-immolating wars
of anticipation. What do I mean? The new men
of power are already thinking ahead and
wondering who may be too ambitious within their
own fold. Any of such recalcitrant and ambitious
rebels must be cut down to size, no matter his
or her contribution to past victory and glory.
Without mincing words, the Senate President,
Bukola Saraki, is the first victim and he has
suffered massive collateral damage on account
of suspicion. APC itself has suffered almost
fatally in the process. The only thing holding it
together for now is the fact that it is the party in
power and thus presumably has limitless
opportunities to distribute largesse to the army
of party operatives and their cronies.
By this time next year, as this government enters
its third year in power, reality would begin to set
in and President Buhari will begin to discover and
see original animals in human skin.
I foresee and predict a re-alignment of political
forces from 2017. President Buhari will be
encouraged and persuaded to run a second term
by those who are currently profiting from his
government. It is only normal and it is their
legitimate right. Nothing stops the President
from seeking a re-election within our
Constitution. The only snag is that many
politicians are going to gang up against him
because they see him as an outsider in politics
who has benefitted from their massive support
but in return has been messing things up for
them.
If the President remains stoically stubborn and
refuses to play ball with politicians, he would
have to fight dirty to win his ticket. It seems to
me that he would have to do everything to retain
the loyalty of one man by all means, Asiwaju
Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is almost impossible for
any candidate to become President of Nigeria
without the overwhelming support of the Yoruba
and their current generalissimo, Tinubu, in
particular.
Tinubu derives his stranglehold on power from
his iron grip on Lagos. Lagos is a microcosm of
Nigeria. Whoever controls Lagos owns the
commercial nerve-centre of Nigeria, just like the
California of America. Tinubu has been very
lucky in that his anointed candidates, Babatunde
Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, have been
very cerebrally successful. The current Governor
of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, is
already set, after just one year in office, to
surpass all expectations.
According to impeccable sources, Buhari may
therefore be forced to risk and pick Tinubu as
his running-mate if push comes to shove.
Tinubu’s protégé, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is the
current Vice President, who comes with
intimidating credentials but may not have enough
political muscle to deliver enough votes to the
kitty. The dilemma for Buhari is whether he
should buck the trend set by his predecessors,
starting from Shehu Shagari, and jettison his Vice
President, especially when a cordial and mutually
respectful relationship exists between them. In
addition, Osinbajo has been doing exceedingly
well and he is seen as one of the few shining
lights of this Administration.
There is also the fact that Prof Osinbajo is a
highly regarded and esteemed senior Christian
figure and the President has needed him to
silence those detractors that consider him an
Islamic fundamentalist.
However, I believe that the controversy that
could ensue from a potentially volatile Muslim/
Muslim ticket may have been fixed substantially.
Firstly, there is a precedent set by Chief
Moshood Kashimawo Abiola the acclaimed
winner of the 1993 elections who picked a fellow
Muslim, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, as his running-
mate and still won in Nigeria’s freest and fairest
election to date. Secondly, though Tinubu is a
devout Muslim, his beloved wife is a hard-core
Christian and a top-notch member of the same
Redeemed Christian Church of God as the Vice
President. Thirdly, there is the fact that Tinubu
supported a Christian, Akinwunmi Ambode, as his
anointed candidate for Governor of Lagos State,
a deft move calculated to pacify those who may
wish to foment religious crisis and conflagration
then and in the future.
Tinubu is believed by many to have served
Nigeria meritoriously and selflessly by
suppressing his own personal ambition for that
of others and it is believed that the kingmaker
deserves a chunky reward the next time around if
he so desires. He is acknowledged as being one
of the most knowledgeable leaders in Nigeria
today and a lot of people feel that his
background in business and politics could bail
Nigeria out of the economic quagmire of the
moment. He is known to be a practical politician
who knows how to make the world better for
most people.
If the hawks succeed in getting Buhari to snub
Tinubu because of his perceived threat to the
President himself, the APC may split like PDP did
before the collapse of the Jonathan Presidency.
One potential candidate is hovering in the wings
and that is the Turaki of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar, who has never hidden the fact that he
wants the Presidency by all means. My next
permutation is that the former Vice President
and Tinubu who are two of the three most
powerful and influential politicians in APC today
(the third is Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki with his
firm control of the Senate) may combine forces
to thwart a Buhari re-election bid. They have
been old allies since the time of Major General
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. If they join forces, it may
therefore spell doom for those seeking the re-
election of President Buhari.
After the seeming lull in the Buhari-Tinubu love,
it seems the recent appointments given to some
of Tinubu’s acolytes appear designed to assuage
his feeling. But would this be sufficient to bury
the combustive ambition of a man who believes
he still has so much to give to his country?
The third option which also involves Tinubu in
the mix is one on which for a variety of reasons
Buhari chooses not to run again. Without doubt,
there are several other forces contending for
power in case Buhari decides not to seek re-
election. In this category, Tinubu’s name still
features prominently. No one can deny the ability
of Tinubu to transform Nigeria the way he did in
Lagos. It is presumed that Buhari may
generously want to pay Tinubu back for the
support he gave him. He may also want to leave
a lasting legacy and shed the toga of an ethnic
jingoist by handing over to a Southerner. If this
happens, I foresee the visionary Governor of
Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, a core Buhari
loyalist, becoming Tinubu’s running-mate,
notwithstanding that this is another Muslim/
Muslim ticket. Many APC loyalists believe this
combination may fly.
There is a fourth option and this is coming from
the direction of PDP. The theory here is that
PDP can still spring a surprise on Buhari and pay
him back in his own coin. The PDP apologists
believe the North has lost more under Buhari
despite allocating many political appointments to
the region. They are of the opinion that former
President Jonathan did more for them and gave
them access and respect than their own man
Buhari who they accuse of being standoffish.
This is the reason that many Northerners, apart
from his kinsmen in the South South, have
become the biggest promoter of PDP.
However, I believe that the controversy that
could ensue from a potentially volatile Muslim/
Muslim ticket may have been fixed substantially.
Firstly, there is a precedent set by Chief
Moshood Kashimawo Abiola the acclaimed
winner of the 1993 elections who picked a fellow
Muslim, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, as his running-
mate and still won in Nigeria’s freest and fairest
election to date. Secondly, though Tinubu is a
devout Muslim, his beloved wife is a hard-core
Christian and a top-notch member of the same
Redeemed Christian Church of God as the Vice
President. Thirdly, there is the fact that Tinubu
supported a Christian, Akinwunmi Ambode, as his
anointed candidate for Governor of Lagos State,
a deft move calculated to pacify those who may
wish to foment religious crisis and conflagration
then and in the future.
Tinubu is believed by many to have served
Nigeria meritoriously and selflessly by
suppressing his own personal ambition for that
of others and it is believed that the kingmaker
deserves a chunky reward the next time around if
he so desires. He is acknowledged as being one
of the most knowledgeable leaders in Nigeria
today and a lot of people feel that his
background in business and politics could bail
Nigeria out of the economic quagmire of the
moment. He is known to be a practical politician
who knows how to make the world better for
most people.
If the hawks succeed in getting Buhari to snub
Tinubu because of his perceived threat to the
President himself, the APC may split like PDP did
before the collapse of the Jonathan Presidency.
One potential candidate is hovering in the wings
and that is the Turaki of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar, who has never hidden the fact that he
wants the Presidency by all means. My next
permutation is that the former Vice President
and Tinubu who are two of the three most
powerful and influential politicians in APC today
(the third is Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki with his
firm control of the Senate) may combine forces
to thwart a Buhari re-election bid. They have
been old allies since the time of Major General
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. If they join forces, it may
therefore spell doom for those seeking the re-
election of President Buhari.
After the seeming lull in the Buhari-Tinubu love,
it seems the recent appointments given to some
of Tinubu’s acolytes appear designed to assuage
his feeling. But would this be sufficient to bury
the combustive ambition of a man who believes
he still has so much to give to his country?
The third option which also involves Tinubu in
the mix is one on which for a variety of reasons
Buhari chooses not to run again. Without doubt,
there are several other forces contending for
power in case Buhari decides not to seek re-
election. In this category, Tinubu’s name still
features prominently. No one can deny the ability
of Tinubu to transform Nigeria the way he did in
Lagos. It is presumed that Buhari may
generously want to pay Tinubu back for the
support he gave him. He may also want to leave
a lasting legacy and shed the toga of an ethnic
jingoist by handing over to a Southerner. If this
happens, I foresee the visionary Governor of
Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, a core Buhari
loyalist, becoming Tinubu’s running-mate,
notwithstanding that this is another Muslim/
Muslim ticket. Many APC loyalists believe this
combination may fly.
There is a fourth option and this is coming from
the direction of PDP. The theory here is that
PDP can still spring a surprise on Buhari and pay
him back in his own coin. The PDP apologists
believe the North has lost more under Buhari
despite allocating many political appointments to
the region. They are of the opinion that former
President Jonathan did more for them and gave
them access and respect than their own man
Buhari who they accuse of being standoffish.
This is the reason that many Northerners, apart
from his kinsmen in the South South, have
become the biggest promoter of PDP.
In case you think Jonathan is dead and buried
politically, perish the thought! He still holds the
biggest ace in PDP. In fact, many in PDP today see
him as their best candidate in 2019 because some
of his transformation agenda are beginning to
come to fruition. They are hoping and banking on
Buhari becoming so unpopular that Jonathan
would be sorely missed by Nigerians who would
practically beg him to come back.
The rising profile and the promotion of Jonathan
in the international community is part of that
systematic way of re-polishing, repackaging,
redefining and preparing him for a return to
power. Every attempt to smear him with a tar
brush would be rebuffed by his die-hard loyalists
who see Buhari as someone trying to kill any
future role for Jonathan as Nigerian President.
They are totally committed to ensuring that
Jonathan is well protected between now and
next year when serious politicking would have
reached a crescendo again. The hope is that as
a former civilian President, he can bounce back
to power like President Mathieu Kerekou did in
Benin Republic, when he returned in 1996 after
quitting in 1991.
Who knows tomorrow?
Home
“Absolutely Clueless And Easily The Worst Manager I Played Under” — Mikel Obi Blasts Sunday Oliseh; Blames Him For Vincent Enyeama’s Early Retirement
He said’ “I remember the first day he came into the camp. Then we reported to the camp for International duties, then he came straight at me and Vincent Enyeama, the goalkeeper, who also was very powerful back then.”
“He came straight at us and Elderson Echiejile, and he said a few things. He said he heard there was a lot of player power with us.
“Then Enyeama was like, ‘What’s wrong with you? Where are you getting all of these from? We are a nice group, and you just come in, and the first thing is to attack us?
“He was like ‘I heard about you guys.’ And then Enyeama stood up and told him he couldn’t say that because we had been here for so many years. They started arguing, and literally, they were going to have a fight.
“He took Enyeama out of the team, and he came at us saying he was going to take us out of the team. He said he was going to take us out of the team; he said he was going to make sure we didn’t play anymore.”
“Enyeama could not take it, and despite my pleas, he left the camp angrily and never came back.”
“He (Oliseh) had absolutely no clue of how a manager is. He was a fantastic guy in his playing days, but as a coach, he was very terrible. He had no clue what he was doing.
“The players never understood anything he was doing, and he did not know what he was doing. He was just confused because he just came in and destroyed the team’s togetherness.
“His excuse when he got fired was that the people and FA did voodoo on him not to succeed. He was easily the worst manager I played under.
“He was so bitter with everybody, jealous with everybody, and had no respect for speaking to anybody, whether the physio or anybody,” he added.
Home
“She Took Care Of My Son When I Left To UK To Give Birth To My Twins” — Kindhearted Nigerian Woman Rewards Her Housemaid With Canada Sponsorship
A Nigerian lady identified as Lioness Eze wrote: “Miracle is her name
She was a maid to me.
She’s here in Canada to do her first degree in IT innovation ( I’m her full sponsor). She’s 20
She took care of my son when I left to UK to put to bed to my twins. My son never for one day felt I wasn’t around him.
Each time my son asks of where the dad is, she’s always there for him to make sure no vacuum at all
When we relocated to Canada, I started pursuing her greener pastures.
I applied for her degree program into same university as mine in Ontario. She got the admission, I started applying for her visa, she was denied first time. But she was granted visa the second time and was given 3 years visa to study in Canada.
She has arrived😁😁 pictures bellow
She even traveled with us to UK for summer 😁
Isn’t her name speaking for her?(Miracle)
NB : she calls me mommy, ( her biological mother is late) she’s my older daughter now, anywhere U see her, tap her back and tell her she’s really a miracle to her generation
GRACE GOD has given me which is unique from others is, you can’t be around me and remain same. If you are around me and your life never changes, it means you need to change ur attitude.”
Home
I’m still single and searching – 70-year-old virgin Cries
An elderly woman has lamented being single and still searching because she rejected many men in the name of sacrificing her life to give her siblings a good education before getting married.
“The reason I am still single is that I haven’t found the right man for me. But when I was still a young girl, several men were chasing after me. I dated several, but I refused to get married before my siblings graduated because I was the one who was taking care of them. Men would approach me for marriage and I would tell them no because I wanted to educate my siblings first, then marry later,” she said.
“If I get a husband, I would get married. I’m ready to be a wife and move in together with my husband,” Alphonsine said.
-
News6 years ago
Blog Reader; Samson Osagiede Celebrates Fiancè Benedicta Daniels’s Birthday With Sweet Words
-
Home8 years ago
News Channel claims Donald Trump is an orphan from Pakistan,share alleged childhood photo
-
News8 months ago
Hardship: We Plan To Establish A National Commodity Board To Crash Food Prices – VP Shettima
-
Home8 years ago
Oil Spillage: House of Reps Member Shares Photos of the Water her Constituents Drink .
-
Home8 years ago
Another $175m Found in Patience Jonathan’s wife’s firm’s Bank Account
-
Home8 years ago
Zara Buhari & Ahmed Indimi’s Wedding Access Card
-
News6 years ago
The Best Video You’ve Seen Today?
-
Sport6 years ago
Modric, Marta Wins 2018 FIFA Best Player Of The Year Awards ⚽️