By Our Reporter
A former Caretaker Committee Member/Supervisor for Budget Planning and Statistics in Iru, Victoria Island LCDA (2003- 2004), Chief Akinwunmi Bayode said that President Bola Tinubu rode on the back of two secrets to the Presidency of Nigeria in the February 25, 2023 general election.
Bayode, in an interview with THE CONCLAVE, listed the two secrets as Tinubu’s huge investments in human capacity building and development and his native intelligence.
According to the former LCDA chairmanship aspirant (2021, 2017, 2011) and foundation member of AD, AC, ACN and APC: “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has just two secrets that ensured his ascendancy to the Presidency of Nigeria. His huge investment in human capacity building and development, by way of empowering uncountable people.
“This community of persons are not even parts of those he had encouraged, empowered and brought to political limelight since he was first elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1991/92, during which time he represented Lagos East. Senatorial zone.
“Some of his aides then have gone to serve in top government positions, including the current Majority leader of Senate, distinguished Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, this record is inexhaustive, including his governorship tenure in Lagos State.”
Bayode said that “Tinubu’s second secret is his native intelligence, his ability to interact with the rich, the high and mighty, the low and the poorest of the poor, putting smiles on the faces of the downtrodden, in relational engagements regardless of your social status or mobility in the society and across the regions of our country.”
He explained that the President must have imbibed these virtues from his late mother, Alhaja (Chief) Abibatu Mogaji, who was once the Iyaloja-General of Lagos.
“The market, if you know, is the most difficult group of people to organize, comprising the uneducated, educated, skilled, unskilled, where the rich and the poor hobnob on a daily basis. This must have greatly influenced the way he deals, interacts with all shades of people that cross his path,” he said.
He continued: “Apart from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, please, tell me who else exhibits these traits particularly from South West where I come from, that can be relied upon to take over from him in the long run when he exits the stage after he must have profoundly and very positively affected the political economy and built a better and more prosperous Nigerian for posterity.”
Bayode said that although many people had been claiming they went through his school of thought , the question remained: “have they really taken after his nobility and his empowerment of people?.
Bayode, who also served in several ad hoc committees at both state and LG levels in Lagos State, prior to the 2023 general elections, in response to a question on the scramble for the leadership of local governments in Lagos State, said that the scramble had continued to deny him the opportunity to administer one of the most sought after LCDA in Lagos.
THE CONCLAVE reports that Victoria Island LCDA (Iru) has been the home to most Nigerian elite, headquarters of most commercial banks and corporate organizations.
“My good intention to contest as Chairman would have been the opportunity to showcase my administrative acumen, dexterity, good faith and intention as well as qualitative leadership as part of my contribution to dividends of democracy at the grassroots.
“But for impositions, wrong choices, and pecuniary interests as well as benefits, this couldn’t happen, particularly when you have a conscience of your own.
“The local political leaders would rather prefer half-baked administrators, i.e. their trainees, siblings, children, cousins, nephews, in-laws, mistresses, and what have you, under the cover of the night with one excuse or the other; and, without minding the consequences.”
Responding to his expectations about Tinubu’s presidency, Bayode said that it was signification of the dawn of a new era of economic property for Nigeria, adding that “Nigerians should be patient, give the President some time emplace the conditions precedent for massive economic transformation and infrastructure renaissance.
“President Tinubu knows he has a date with history and destiny, and he cannot afford to commit himself to inanities in the face of a desperate nation in quest of survival. We will see the replication of the magic wand , or if you like, the Midas Touch that he brought to bear on Lagos and its economy as governor from 1999-2007.”
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