By Babatunde Ajose
I was in Ikeja yesterday and I witnessed what the SWAGA Campaigners did to a man who has not even declared his interest to contest for the highest office in the land, yet his foot soldiers have turned the political space to a matching ground. This is for a man that is out of the country for months now but his towering image is a nightmare for lazy politicians and power seekers.
There's no gain saying Tinubu is blessed with ideas, cash and human resources....yes, I can say that without any fear of contradiction. My short and closest encounter with him was during my student days in London. My Boss, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi sent me to his house just once because the cleaner was unavailable but my expertise in house cleaning earned me a deal even without an application.
My brief access to Tinubu's house convinced me that there's no politician in Nigeria today who've not at one time or the other had contact with him, either work for or against him in recent times. The point is Tinubu knows them all and even those he doesn't know knows him very well; people flock around him anywhere he goes and the list of politicians even from the opposition coming to see him anytime he is London is inexhaustible. I believe the 2023 election is between Tinubu and others.
Yes, despite this man's huge financial and human capital resources, he is not taking the election as a walkover; Tinubu and his supporters are working round the clock. I agree he is a man we love to hate and we hate to love but don't forget the natural law of "Hardwork and Success" (the law of Sowing and Reaping), where are the other aspirants now ? No doubt it's going to be a difficult task, but TINUBU 2023 Project Managers have clearly shown to us that they have strategies which includes his continuous stay in London after a successful surgery ( though people forgot that Atiku once had same surgery and campaigned in clutches). The strategy is working, Tinubu is being talked about in the media than any other politician in Nigeria today, yet our hatred for him blindfolded us to know this is a popularity test which has not only attracted more Northerners who are "Mumu and Nobody" on the social media but with the deciding votes in reality to openly declared their loyalty with visits to this man including your incumbent "I am for everybody and I am for nobody" President Buhari.
In my Badagry, I have been following political developments and I observed that it's only very few aspirants especially those in the corridors of power with experience in contesting elections that we have seen working and pushing their aspirations openy as if election is next month. I must acknowledge and be fair to one or two new entrants into the game too, they are putting up good shows. I assumed others are still consulting as we put in the political circles but from my experience as a one time aspirant, I put it to you that you are a late arrival to the party if by December2021 you are not in the game, anybody can dispute this fact to service their sentiments, source of income or boost their egos.
Politics is about interests, figures and persuasion not sentiments; no amount of blackmail, godfatherism or attacks on political leaders in Badagry will be enough to make up for your lazy approach to election. The beauty of any election is a good contest and we are quick to canvass for level playground but we are not ready to plough this ground that we want levelled. Instead of getting a hoe, shovel and possibly payloader to level the ground ourselves, we are standing by the side waiting to play ethnic and regional cards which has been the practice when our people loses elections.
I'm very sure, almost everybody in APC looks up to Tinubu as their leader and role model, though some that are desperately seeking attention and their voice be heard or those who lost out in the power game will argue and deny Tinubu "Messiahship" but they will be the first sit at his table the day Tinubu throws the opportunity at them; the question is, are we emulating this man we adore so much in the party especially in the Southwest, Nigeria ? Are we following his style ? If the "Grandstrategist" and "Master of the Game" is not taking the quest for power as a tea party, then you need to help yourself "Mr Aspirant".
To my friends in PDP especially the youths, Tinubu can be stopped but not by social media rants or beer parlor arguments. You need strategies and action plans instead of name-calling and attacks against personalities which will only make them more popular. To my Badagry aspirants, I wish you all well in your ambitions but I need to remind you that the most hardworking, strategically smart and God's anointed will carry the day.
Wetin I sabi sef ?
Babatunde Ajose DCOB is a Sustainable Development Strategist from Badagry.
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