By Ayodele Fagbohun

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Ahead of 1979 presidential polls, the late sage, Awo 70 years, was an indefatigable never say die presidential aspirant, honest, transparent and well prepared based on indubitable track records of public service as former Premier, Federal Minister of Finance among others in the quest for nation building.

Awo was the most qualified for the herculean job of presidency.

Indeed, all constellations, prognoses coupled with human factors seemed favourably disposed to Awo’s election being a formidable and redoubtable political stalwart made up of sterner staff at ripe age of 70 years.

This was in contrast to the abysmal moral failing and poor outing of some youths who blundered into politics and thereby hastily run the country and the economy under.

Contrary to the unfortunate political scenario and its concomitant challenges in 1979 and afterwards, the nation must make necessary and judicious amends to correct the costly political error; redouble efforts and move the nation forward in hardwork and prosperity in the fast approaching next dispensation.

Without being immodest, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) who now dons the garb of the septuagenarians can aptly be described as a politician tactician and strategist imbued with high intelligent quotient, adept party organizer and a shrewd mobiliser of man and resources to maximize profit in the political arena.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is destined through selfless and fearless political exploits in the defunct Action Congress to alter political scenario and mocking narratives in the country.

Regardless of the asses that bray in the camp of malevolent political foes, we thank God and magnify the Lord for attaining 70 years and his unique outstanding contribution to humanity.

It is pertinent to highlight some of his humble and sacrificial yeoman services to good governance and nation building. All the laudable contributions can be assessed in the public domain.

It is asserted without mincing words that the invaluable asset of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be effectively utilized in the post APC led administration.

For, the National Leader of APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, no doubt a political colossus started as an intrepid political young activist on leave of absence as a professional accountant/treasurer in the Mobil Nigeria, a multinational corporation. He was elected as Federal Republic Senator under the platform of a progressive party, the Social Democatic Party (SDP) 1991-1993.

Later in the dark days of General Sanni Abacha, Tinubu was in the forefront of revalidating the annulled June 12 Presidential polls won fair and square by the late business mogul MKO Abiola which forced him on self exile.

On his return, his prodemocracy struggle in the militant National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that produced the likes of Michael Adekuhle Ajasin, Uncle Bola Ige and Tony Enahoro, all of blessed and evergreen memory. This earned Bola Tinubu to be elected Lagos State Governor under the aegis of defunct Alliance for Democracy/Afenifere (1999-2007).

Bola Tinubu deployed resources and personal liberty for the growth of justice, equity and liberal democracy in the country. He labored tirelessly and successfully without flinching to ensure that People’s Democratic Party (PDP) did not have any foothold in Yoruba nation.

Towards this end, Ondo State leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the late Chief Wumi Adegbonmire (aka Omo Ekun) paid glowing tribute to Senator Bola Tinubu and gave him kudos for saving the Yoruba race from the ’embarrassment’ of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo PDP led government.

It would be recalled, as sitting president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo rabidly coveted and in deadly jealously of the rising profile of the AD/Afenifere popularly elected governors vowed to put them on the rout.

To accomplish the nefarious and heinous act, political gangsterism and disorderliness brazenly unleashed on Yoruba in unabased and reckless divide and rule tactics to absolutely annihilate progressive ruler of Awo’s school of thought.

In consequence of the dastardly act, Uncle Bola Ige, the political dynamic of South West and Minister of Justice was murdered in cold blood under the watch of President Obasanjo.

AD/Afenifere were eventually walloped and ignominiously exited out of power under circumstances that were unseemly and unfair, save for the resilience of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Lagos governor who stood tall, strong and survived PDP onslaught.

The end result was the several changes in nomenclatures of various political parties, alignment and re-alignment of irreconcilable strange bed fellows until a destination was reached in the all conquering APC.

As indomitable former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu made a triumphant entry into Akure, Ondo State capital in 2004. The first port of call was in the inner sanction Omolere compound, the residence of state leader of AD/Afenifere, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti OFR.

Fasoranti was unanimously endorsed as Afenifere leader while Senator Ayo Fasanmi as deputy leader and former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande as national chairmen of Alliance for Democracy (AD).

That arrangement could have served as a strategic master stroke and put paid to the ever lingering crisis and political imbroglio in the party and by extension in Yoruba land. There and then consolidated Ondo State as the stronghold of Afenifere/AD as existed during the nostalgic era of Awo-Ajasin.

However, some fifth columnists, desperate demagogues and fake Awoists within threw spanners into the good works; and cherished dream of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the troubled Yoruba race. The rest is history!

Now to the crucial issue of the moment. Charity must begin from home. According to the late sage, Awo, he was of the well considered opinion that one must be able to distinguish himself in diligent service to home front before proceeding forth to contribute or render such services outside home front.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu as former Lagos governor has paid his dues as a tested and pragmatic political leader servant in Yoruba nation par excellence.

It is worthy of note that he has not reneged or deviated for a fleeting second from the intricate, thorny and chosen path of progressivism and welfarist ideology courageously and every sense of responsibility that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed can become the next president if his party, APC fields his well deserved candidature. He deserves our full support and prayers in every nook and cranny of the country.

Happy birthday, our doughty Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, many happy returns of the day and fruitful service to Nigeria, our motherland.