Is the ‘Lion of Bourdillon’ losing his grip on power?  

Although he defends the government and urges Nigerians to exercise a little more patience like any statesman of his ilk would do, the man who was largely responsible for Muhammadu Buhari’s victory appears not to be reaping where he heavily sowed. Events in the last months have shown how hard hit Tinubu has been. The former governor of Lagos State, an accountant by profession, who has also made serious marks in the politics of the country, is unarguably a successful businessman. His interest spans through many sectors of the nation’s economy. And sadly, the economy under the APC is in a terrible mess, a development analysts believe is a direct consequence of the unpreparedness of the broom party for governance in the first place. Like every other Nigerian businessman, Tinubu’s businesses are currently experiencing a slowdown in activities. Apart from the reduction in returns from his businesses, the ‘Lion of Bourdillon’ is no doubt equally seeing a reduction in largesse from his political sons and daughters at various levels of government.

It would be recalled that Tinubu bent backwards to field Buhari against barrages of criticism. At the time, Tinubu insisted that Buhari was the only one that could provide Nigeria the quality governance it so much desired. Basking on the wide belief that Buhari was a credible person, with high level of integrity, the APC effortlessly rode into power.

Although BDSUNDAY is not privy to the power sharing arrangement agreement reached between Buhari who was coming from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) party, it can be authoritatively said that such understanding, if any, has either collapsed or is not working.

Those close to Tinubu say that the man is being sidelined in every sense of the word.

“Asiwaju as I see things today is on his own. The president has since surrounded himself with his brothers. But it is not unexpected. It is only those who refused to believe the history that doubted what the president is capable of doing when in office. Before the elections, many people said and wrote so many things about the likelihood of a severance of relationship between the two party chieftains. Today, such prediction as it were, is coming to pass,” said an analyst who craved anonymity.

Recall that in order to be part of the government; Tinubu had allegedly wanted to field himself as the vice president, a move that was shot down by many interests within the party. When that dream caved in, Yemi Osinbajo was fielded instead, even though it was obvious then that the lawyer-turned politician is only going to be sidelined by the powers that be.

Moreover, Tinubu suffered a setback when his moves to install both the Senate President and House of Representatives speaker collapsed. Analysts had said that the former Lagos State governor had wanted to be closer to power at the centre by controlling the National Assembly. Ever since he lost in that mission, Tinubu has been left in the lurch. As it stands, some allege that he is neither being consulted nor carried along in government’s plans.

Not only that the Jagaban of Borgu lost out in the power sharing in the National Assembly, he was also not carried along in the appointment of ministers. In fact, it was said that his objections to and suggestions over the inclusion of certain names on the ministerial nomination list did not hold water as Buhari went ahead to do whatever he wanted. It appears, according to sources, that Aso Rock is doing exactly the opposite of all that Tinubu wants, albeit to frustrate him.

During the campaign tours of the country, Tinubu, who was not physically strong at the time, did everything within his powers and strength to be at the venues at the risk of his own life. In all of the places they went, the politician spoke and waved the broom, promising Nigerians of a rosy tomorrow in an APC government.

During an event at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho in April 2015, Tinubu declared that the APC would eradicate poverty in Nigeria. He said: “A progressive government must turn its face from the austerity policies of the outgoing administration that tried to manage poverty, but not end it. Such policies serve only to deepen and prolong the hardship of the average person.”

But it is now very clear that a government he midwived has impoverished Nigerians in such a way that no government in the history of the country has ever done.

As one of those who fought relentlessly for the enthronement of democracy in the country, the question on the lips of many people is, is the Jagaban satisfied with the quality of governance by the APC? Is he satisfied with the type of democracy being served by his party? If yes, it then means that all his suffering in the days of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) would have been in vain after all.

 “Asiwaju, like every other person who finds himself in that situation, is not happy with the situation, particularly when the Federal Government under the control of the APC is not doing well. It is not all about what should come to him that is no longer coming; or other considerations that tend towards personal interest, No; it is because what is happening now is totally different from what he had envisaged in terms of good governance,” Toyin Ayandeji, a political, analyst said.

According to Ayandeji, “Asiwaju had expected a quality leadership that would have made Nigerians to say ‘wow’, but where we are now is painting the APC black and all those associated with it. Whenever anybody is talking about the abysmal performance of the Federal Government, fingers will be pointing at Tinubu for leading the country to this sorry state. So, how would anybody expect him to be happy at the way things are happening?”

Nkem Odim, a legal practitioner, said: “I think I like what is happening now. The South West is no longer talking. They are not talking because they are part of the charade they call governance. At least, the APC originated from the South West. If it were another part of the country that midwives the APC that is terrorising everybody now; then you would have seen all manner of attacks from both individuals and groups from the South West. Today, all they are calling for is that Nigerians should exercise more patience.”

Sometime ago, a group, the Action Group caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had decried the actions of those it alleged to be ganging up against Tinubu, saying those of them who joined the party after benefitting immensely from the “political sagacity and financial support of Tinubu would surely live to regret their acts of indiscipline, insubordination and attempt at destroying the ladder that took them to the top.”

Speaking through its spokesperson, Segun Dipe, the group observed that some elements who believed that they could maintain their popularity only by denigrating Tinubu kept on telling lies against him. “These conspirators are filled with venom and they consist of too many craven and irresponsible politicians who are nothing more than the lap dogs for those oil barons, financial offenders and other mafias guilty of keeping us down after having brought us to the state of forlorn hope,” he said.