By Our Reporter
The Chairman of Deux Projects, a construction firm, evolves faster than anyone could imagine in politics and character. He knows when to change horses midstream; likewise he understands the fine art of hopping off friend's carriages particularly when they are headed towards steep cliffs.
It would be recalled that Olowolafe made his foray into Lagos hub of gold, its socioeconomic fortune pitch, through All Progessives Congress (APC) national leader and two-time Lagos governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While the going was good, their friendship blossomed and Olowolafe fed fat on Lagos courtesy Tinubu's generosity and the former governor's treats of lucrative deals and business contracts.
But that relationship ended soon after Tinubu handed over the reins of leadership to Babatunde Raji Fashola, who also governed Lagos for two terms. Smart dude, Olowolafe understood that Tinubu's influence would wane in Lagos as power had changed hands. Hence rather than become one of the several fortune hunters who would persistently trouble Tinubu to help them earn the audience and good graces of Fashola, Olowolafe devised his access to the new governor by dumping Tinubu and pitching tents with Fashola.
In time, Olowolafe congratulated himself for jumping ship, especially when Fashola fell out of favour with his former godfather. While the conflict between estranged godfather and godson lasted, Olowolafe kept smiling to the bank as the Lagos State government, under Fashola, continued awarding him lucrative contracts.
It would be recalled that critics and foes of the Chairman of Deux Projects, mocked him and rejoiced at what they considered his misfortune when his bosom friend and former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, fell out of favour with his estranged political godfather and benefactor, Bola Tinubu; detractors of Olowolafe speculated that he was also estranged from Tinubu and thus persona non grata in political and socioeconomic circuits.
And while foes of Olowolafe gloried in the likelihood of his diminishing influence and relevance in political and business circuits, providence handed a shocker to them as Olowolafe’s bosom friend, Fashola, got appointed as Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Works and Housing. This to the chagrin of Olowolafe’s detractors, translates to instant wealth and status elevation for the Deux Projects head honcho.
While Fashola served as two-time governor of Lagos, Olowolafe allegedly profited from lucrative contracts handed to him on a platter of gold; several members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), civil servants and their cronies to mention a few, continually lamented the intimidating influence and relationship Olowolafe enjoyed with the governor. This, in their estimation, enabled Olowolafe “corner” all the juicy construction contracts that were executed by Fashola’s administration.
Olowolafe was subsequently fingered in the impasse and political intrigues between Fashola and Tinubu; and his company, Deux Projects, was named in certain controversial transactions that allegedly tarnished the government and hard-earned reputation of Fashola as a maverick governor and positive change agent.
While certain insiders blamed Olowolafe as a sort of chink in Fashola’s armour, mischief makers alleged that he (Olowolafe) contributed in no small measure to his friend and former Lagos governor, Fashola’s very sad political pickle in recent past. They even went further to allege that Tinubu and Fashola’s relationship deteriorated irredeemably because the likes of Olowolafe were against the reconciliation of the duo for certain selfish reasons.
Reality however, vindicated Olowolafe by establishing that the Chairman of Deux projects was not the evil intruder disrupting the peace between Fashola and Tinubu. He never hated Tinubu’s guts.
However, pundits alleged that things would have been different for the Deux Projects' boss had he not been smart enough to dump Tinubu for Fashola.
Olowolafe sustained his rosy relationship with the latter even after the expiration of his second term as Lagos governor. He relocated with Fashola to Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in the wake of his appointment as Minister of Power, Works and Housing.
The Deux Projects' boss enjoyed great deals and contracts from the tripartite ministry courtesy his relationship with Fashola for a while, then he met new kindred spirit in new maritime boss, Hadiza Bala Usman.
Mischief makers allege that Olowolafe dumped Fashola for the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Usman, as soon as he realised that the latter has the ability to enhance his access to more lucrative business contracts and deals in the maritime sector.
What Fashola and Tinubu can't do for Olowolafe at the moment, Hadiza Usman is effortlessly doing for him. Not a few people believe that Olowolafe, by virtue of his closeness and easy access to the NPA boss, has landed a pot of gold. Due to his chumminess with Hadiza, Olowolafe allegedly enjoys lucrative business deals and perks within the ambits of the NPA. Sources close to the duo revealed that Hadiza only pays listening ear to Olowolafe at the moment.
Tunji certainly has a way with Nigeria's high society.
Sources close to Olowolafe however, argue that the Deux Projects boss is simply being a good and loyal friend to Usman having discovered a trusted confidant and friend in her, which is a rare thing to find, in these hard times.
Whatever anyone thinks, Olowolafe is a man whose pedigree and exploits establish as an ambitious, dogged go-getter. He knows what he wants and he never shies from engaging in its pursuit whichever way suits him, no matter whose ox is gored.
Culled From TheCapital
Culled From TheCapital
No comments