I recently tweeted that ‘While Ambode’s performance is arguable, it is quite embarrassing that the choice about his 2nd term has been snatched completely from the hands of the electorate. While I respect Tinubu and appreciate his role in our democratic evolution since ‘99; this,in 2018,is authoritarianism’. I got many varying opinions about this tweet, lots of them disagreeing with my use of the word authoritarianism, given that the APC candidate is still meant to be elected via the party primaries.
But I insist that Jagaban’s move is authoritarian, even though the use of the word in that tweet was figurative. The reasons are not farfetched.
First, anyone who knows me knows I’m a staunch follower of the Bola Tinubu school of politics. I believe that there are two major ways Nigeria can evolve faster in certain areas:
1) Through a Nationalist authoritarian regime, aka Benevolent dictatorship, which of course, is too risky. There is no way to guarantee that the one to whom we will allow dictatorial powers will be benevolent and transformational in thinking. Examples are MuhammaduBuhari andAaungSuu Kyi.Despitetheir almost occultic followership in their respective countries, due to perceived noble personalities, they turned out to be terrible leaders with little or no benevolence in them. Hence why we have adopted democratic governance; and we must commit fully to this system and reject any form of leadership that undermines our collective commitment to democracy
2) A local form of transformational political formation that can take over power and redefine new standards of operations. I think Tinubu created that formation in 1999, strengthened it in 2003, institutionalized it in 2007 and 2011, and consolidated it in 2015 with his support for Buhari and his successful swearing in of Ambode, despite more experienced and popular candidates running against him
Tinubu redefined (state) governance inNigeria. He showed the world that Nigeria can survive, grow and develop without Oil money. He digitalized the public service, revenue collection, especially tax, and won several court cases against the authoritarian Obasanjo government, and today, Lagos makes more IGR than over 80% of all the other States combined. These rulings have contributed significantly to our evolving Federalist structure more than any other thing today and form the foundations upon which any quest for restructuring can build upon.
Tinubu changed the course of infrastructural development in Lagos and created a masterplan that has since made governance in Lagos easier. Hecreated institutions that today are a benchmark for traffic management, waste management, emergency services, ambulance services, amongst many others. He ran the state exceptionally well despite having his federal allowances seized for over 2years. He also touched waterways, healthcare, waste management, social welfare, etc. Jagaban redefined even the traditional institutions in Lagos. He redefined Local Government Structure/control in Nigeria through the court ruling that empowers states to create Local Councils subject to ratification by the National Assembly.This has however not fully succeeded without the ratification of the National Assembly, despite his party being at the center. He supported the making of billionaires,kings, politicians and has helped people build their careers for the past 20years. He built his political machineryaround Lagos and built Lagos around his political machinery.
He connected deeply with the grassroots and built formidable institutions that connects him to Lagos’ resources.
Tinubu fought against the Godfatherism structure that existed in his party then, the Alliance for Democracy (AD), successfully checkmating the Pa Adesanya leadership of old. After several battles with his party leadership and the overbearing Obasanjo FG, Tinubu emerged the last man standing in his party. He became the face of the Opposition, and soon won back most of the South West to his party.
So, I have been an ardent fan of Tinubu. I began to relax my support only recently when Tinubu stuck to Buhari despite obvious growing discontent by Nigerians (even though I had relinquished support for Buhari about 1 year after May 29, 2015). Tinubu has since continued to care less about the people with his body language and seem to have become increasingly overconfident on his ‘political/financial power’, hence my use of the word authoritarian to describe his recent saga with Ambodein my tweet. For example there were reliable pointers that show that Tinubu didn’t want Fashola for 2nd term in 2011, but he eventually succumbed and ‘listened to the voice of the people’ because Fashola had done exceptionally well. Lagos was working. That was vintage Tinubu, knowing when to backdown and when to attack, so far as it was the People’s wish. His choice for Osinbajo as Vice President to Buhari is another example of Tinubu’s ability to sacrifice ego for the collective good; it was rumoured that Tinubu himself had his eyes on the VP slot. Unfortunately, Ambode doesn’t play in that elite category, his performance is debatable, his personality is controversial; and to crown it up, his loyalty has now been put to question. One that he may never recover from.
Events building up to 2019 elections has been disappointing to say the least.
Jagaban keeps acting aloof about the people, he was recorded on video in Osunstate recently, boastingto an Oba in Council that the people of Osun cannot match him financially. KWAM 1’s video on Ambode is another embarrassing revelation of how this is solely about personal interest to the Jagaban and his allies, and not about the people. A statement like “I campaigned for him when he had nothing…now that he has gained power and stolen enough money, he is behaving like a god. We have used “oro” cult to chase the madman away. He is not coming back…” by KWAM 1 is to say the least, unfortunate.
Not since the time of Lamidi Adedibu have we seen such brazen audacity. The Tinubu camp has fully adopted the audacity of Adedibu politics. Gutter politics.
The mannerism with which Jagaban has shown the withdrawal of his support for Ambode has been more like ‘I can do what I like in Lagos’ – an authoritarian predisposition that is embarrassing to Nigeria’s most enlightened electorate. Yes, he has supported direct primaries and he has not excluded anyone from contesting. But a leader who already knows he runs the party machinery owes it to the people to demonstrate that his choices are for their interest. The Ambode saga, by all writings on the wall, shows that Jagaban is out to remove Ambode for personal interests. Nowhere in the course of this conversation has Ambode’s performance over the past 3.5years taken center stage in determining his party leadership’s decision to rally behind JideSanwoolu. Given that Tinubu controls the Lagos APC political structure and the entire state traditional institutions, especially as the opposition in Lagos is in a disarray, there is no gainsaying that JideSanwoolu will be the next Governor in Lagos with the anointing of the Jagaban. While that is not a problem itself, it is well known that it is a big deal for a state’s party structure to abandon an incumbent Governor during reelection. Very rarely will you see that happen even in advanced democracies and such times, it is often as a result of scandals.
The least we can therefore expect is that the Lagos APC demonstrate some regard for the people’s interest, rather than further reinforcing the sentiments that the APC in Lagos only serves at the whims and caprices of one man. Let the party address issues and explain to Lagosianswhy Ambode will not enjoy the support of the party leaders. Show that the party cares about Lagosians. Otherwise, this may just be the beginning of an unavoidable decline in the party’s popularity and influence.
God bless Lagos and Nigeria.
Ayo-Bankole is a senior manager and head of strategy with one of the players in the financial services industry. He also has a master’s degree in Political science. Ayo writes for both local & international media and is an advocate for social justice. He tweets from @AyoBankole.
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