Tinubu On Track To Become APC Flagbearer As Delegates Endorse Him
Indications yesterday emerged that the former Governor of Lagos State and leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may clinch the ruling party’s presidential ticket.
Findings from the party faithful in Kano, Kaduna, Kastina, Niger, Adamawa, and other parts of the north-east and north-west revealed that no other aspirant was respected and trusted by the delegates as much as Tinubu, who was received in all the states with a rousing welcome, was also described as a consistent leader and a true party man.
According to a reliable source in Kastina, who pleaded anonymity, some APC caucus members are currently evaluating all aspirants’ track records in terms of their commitment to democracy, APC, tolerance and achievements.
“I can tell you authoritatively that we are seriously considering Asiwaju because of his track record. He is truly a detribalised Nigerian who has remained consistent with democracy and the rule of law over three decades. Several Nigerians have benefited from his generosity and he is not bias in dealing with people irrespective of their tribe, religion, and other differences. A peep into Tinubu’s family, political dynasty and many of those who have become important figures in Nigeria today says it all. “
Capt. Dosunmu (right) during the #1Million Naira donation towards Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidential bid
The presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu again received another major boost as foremost Grassroot politician of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Capt Adebayo Dosumu fulfilled his earlier promise to donate towards the actualization of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2023 presidency.
Dosunmu made true his pledge in a recent visit to the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress where he personally handed a cheque of one million naira towards his ambition, a gesture which was highly commended and received personally by Asiwaju referring his gesture as that of a “deep thinker who values human relationship”.
The Amuwo Odofin party stalwart told Push News 24 International that his relationship with Asiwaju is not political but that of a father and son built over the years through a strange mixture of mentoring, delegating and loyalty.
Below is the release after the tet-a-tet with the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress.
All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain in Amuwo Odofin LGA area of Lagos State Captain Adebayo Dosunmu paid a courtesy visit to the National Leader of the party and Presidential hopeful Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday 22nd April 2022 at his Asokoro residence in Abuja.
The visit was not unconnected with the pledge to support the aspiration of his principal until he is sworn in as president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the 2023 general elections.
Recall that on Thursday 21st April, while the commencement date for the sale of forms by the APC was announced, Captain Adebayo Dosunmu made a pledge to donate the sum of A million naira in support of the purchase of the nomination form for Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During the visitation, Captain Adebayo Dosunmu explained to Asiwaju Tinubu that he travelled down from Lagos to fulfil his pledge of one (1) million naira support not just as a core student of the political icon, but as a true believer in the developmental agenda of the former governor would bring to the table once elected.
The Marine captain, MD/CEO DOSUNMU HOLDINGS NIG LTD, who was obviously elated that a man of Asiwaju’s caliber graciously accepted the kind donation, spoke to newsmen after leaving the Asokoro residence and had this to say. “I am a firm believer in the ideology of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and have taken his presidential bid as my project for the year and beyond 2023. His antecedents as former Lagos State governor cleared the path for what we witness there today. Once given that opportunity, I strongly believe he will perform excellently well as President of Nigeria. I urge all Nigerians especially the youths to throw their weight behind Asiwaju Tinubu in order to prepare for the life changing opportunity he has to offer the country”.
Bola Tinubu in his remark urged Captain Dosunmu to preach to or encourage more people to revalidate and register for their permanent voters card (PVC) in order to gather enough votes for the APC ones he emerges at the primaries.
Bola Tinubu thanked Captain Dosunmu for his kind gesture and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in a Swift response to the defection of the Lagos4Lagos Movement from the APC to the PDP have described the defection as a good riddance to a mole within the party.
The spokesman of the APC described the group as ungovernable and rabble rousing while claiming to be members of the party.
All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos chapter, has described the purported defection of a group within it, Lagos4Lagos movement as “good riddance to bad rubbish.”
The Lagos4Lagos group had on Saturday, announced its decision to join Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state from APC, over irreconcilable differences.
Below is the official release from the APC as obtained by Push News 24 International.
Hon. Seye Oladejo, a former Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations during Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is the Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State chapter.
RE-DECLARATION OF LAGOS FOR LAGOS GROUP FOR PDP. Our attention has been drawn to the purported decision of the recently formed Lagos for Lagos group in APC to declare for the PDP. We acknowledge the constitutional right of the leaders and members of the group to associate with any party of their choice without sparing a thought for morals, principles , antecedents, perennial history of political defeats and inconsistency in their selling point. We watched with utter amusement and amazement as they were received by a symbol of democracy, in their own reckoning , a proven fighter against god fatherism who literally turned his state to his fiefdom before the revolution of the people burst his bubble. It’s such an irony to the well-mouthed battle cry by the group against god fatherism and undemocratic practices that they chose a curious personality as their political undertaker. Perhaps it’s a case of an expired and foreign god father posing less danger to a group that is desperate for a home and power. It is important to note that our suspicion of the group acting as a mole in the ruling Lagos APC has come to pass. During their short stint, they were perpetually rabble rousing, ungovernable and would only live by their own set of rules and regulations. All efforts to make overtures to engender lasting reconciliation were rebuffed since it didn’t include a gubernatorial ticket for their leader. Our admonition to the group that their brand of politics which harps on sectionalism and discrimination of a whole lot of Lagosians who have no other place to call home was alien to our progressive party fell on deaf ears. It’s also interesting and contradictory to note that their leader is also a god-father of some sort who also emerged as their leader without any electoral conduct. He continues to mislead his largely misguided followers for his selfish ambition. We note with keen interest the confirmation of their new god-father of their long period of association and their boast to win the next elections. Perhaps they need to be reminded that Lagos state has always been a progressive state even in the face of well orchestrated threats and power play. Their new hosts should be honest enough to tell them that losing elections since the advent of democratic governance has been their lot which they have accepted as their destiny. We also note their assurance to resurrect the PDP in Lagos which no doubt is uncomplimentary to their new soulmates. We want to congratulate them for finally finding a home in a homeless party. However, our doors in APC remain open to receive and rehabilitate them , true to the proven characters of our leaders, after burning their fingers as expected. I guess the transfer season towards 2023 elections has commenced in earnest. We will meet at the polls and I can assure you that Lagos state APC remains undaunted by a group whose departure is a good riddance to bad rubbish. Our party will definitely not be distracted as we continue to support our government to finish strongly.
Seye Oladejo, Lagos State APC Spokesman, 04/12/2021
LAGOS4LAGOS: APC LEADER IN IKORODU DIVISION DEFECTS TO PDP, SHADES TINUBU
Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya
A former Secretary to the Lagos State Government and a leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ikorodu Local Government Area, Princess Adenrele Adeniran Ogunsanya, has publicly declared and identified with the People Democratic Party (PDP) confirming rumours of her earlier romance with her former political party, the PDP.
Push News 24 International confirmed her presence at the formal recognition of her group the Lagos4Lagos Movement at an event in Lagos on Saturday which signalled the formal acceptance and recognition of the group as part of the PDP by the former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.
Adenrele in one of the Lagos4Lagos Press Conference
Speaking at the event in company of the groups governorship candidate and other executives, Princess Denrele who sits at the top of the Board of Trustees of the Lagos4Lagos Movement said there’s need for fairness and justice in any party and the PDP represents what her group need to achieve their aspirations.
Flanked by the lead convener of Lagos4Lagos, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran popularly known as Jandor, Senator Bukola Saraki, Director of Media and Strategy, Lagos4Lagos, Seun Soyinka and the Central Coordinator, Funke Ijaiyekunle, Denrele said a lot of people are not happy with what’s happening in Lagos where one man controls everything, and people are afraid to challenge the status quo, “that can no-longer be accepted”.
Aderenle who herself was said to be a beneficiary of what she so condemned defected initially from the PDP to the APC where the same god-fathers of Lagos politics imposed her on the members of the party as SSG despite other existing qualified persons, says she has confidence in the leadership of Jandor to return Lagos State to it’s rightful place, hence, her decision to endorse the groups movement to the PDP.
Despite several denials of the real intensions of the Lagos4Lagos Movement over their anti-party activities while in the APC particularly conducting a parallel State Congress in Lagos State their antics seems to be obvious to the leadership of the party in the State who had on several occasions ignored their several threats by the group of been in the majority.
” It’s only fair for a party that lay claim to being democratic as its credo to institutionalize internal democracy for all to contest without imposition of unpopular candidates“, Aderenle stressed.
Senator Saraki and Jandor at the official event recognizing Lagos4Lagos into PDP
To Denrele, She’s not happy that APC lacks internal democracy in Lagos State and only answers to the whims and caprices of one man. “I’m not so happy with what’s going on in Lagos . You are aware of what’s going on. When you are not allowed to air your views . It’s disgraceful that a state like Lagos can’t comport itself. I’m sure the National leadership of the Party are taking cognizance of what’s going on. I know something must be done right. Nobody can deny That Lagos4Lagos is the strongest group in Lagos APC. They have been issuing threats. I’m not afraid of their threats. At 73, I don’t want my children and grandchildren to ask, “ what did you do to change the system.” Millions of people in Lagos are not happy with what’s going on, but they are afraid. I came out openly to stand with Lagos4Lagos because I saw courage which is lacking in our politicians. And I saw genuine feelings for the people. I’m not looking for position, but I want Lagos to regain her pride of place.” the former SSG added.
Words on the streets has it that Princess Aderenle seems not to have been able to redeem her relationship with the APC power brokers who were not satisfied with her inglorious role during the Governor Ambode seconds term saga, hence, her decision to go for the gun powder despite been apportuned to nominate candidates in the recent local government elections in Ikorodu. Ikorodu Division have a history of always been known to have some of her leadership leave the main stream ruling party to pursue their personal ambitions; Senator Ogunlewe defected in similar manner only to return back to same party in the State.
Push News 24 International has it from a credible source that the Governor Buni led Caretaker Committee has refused to recognize the Lagos4Lagos Movement, hence, their decision to seek refuge in the PDP with the hope that Jandor will clinch the governorship candidate ticket in 2023.
With about 14 months to the general elections, Nigerians are in for an era of political innuendos.
The Ovation boss turned politician, Chief Dele Momodu who was a one time presidential aspirant has once again echoef his preference on the direction he wishes the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria to swing.
The media guru whose 2019 write-up on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu relics the sterling qualities of Asiwaju to that of Nigerian former leaders whose impacts are still felt till today. Chief Momodu while trolling haters in the write up that went viral again went ahead to identify inept qualities that makes Asiwaju the most preferred to occupy Aso Rock come 2023.
Find below details of the pendulum which captures the mind thoughts of the media guru.
Chief Dele Momodu is a Nigerian journalist/publisher, businessman, and motivational speaker. He is the CEO and publisher of Ovation International
Pendulum: Bola Tinubu and His Date with Destiny in 2023
By Dele Momodu
October 26, 2019
Fellow Nigerians permit me to say, it is no longer a secret that the former Governor of Lagos State and easily one of the most influential politicians in Africa, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has his gaze firmly fixed on the Nigerian Presidential seat in Abuja. Let me put it more frontally, Tinubu will love to drop the Chieftaincy title, Asiwaju, for that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Who wouldn’t, anyway? I once tried my luck despite not having ten percent of Tinubu’s stupendous resources, extensive networks, public service experience and achievements and so on. I know that some will think it is too early to be talking about a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari given that his second term is barely six months old. Nevertheless, the political gladiators are already baring their fangs and showing their hands and flapping their wings. It would be silly of anyone to shut their eyes to such developments.
The debate is already raging, as always. We love to talk. Don’t we? That’s our pastime, sadly or joyously. The naysayers are having a field day with a plethora of reasons and questions on why he cannot succeed. What does Tinubu want again? He can’t win! He is not fit enough! He is too tainted and tarnished! The Hausa-Fulani will never give him power. How can he think he can attain what Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Moshood Abiola failed to get? Why can’t he field one of the people he empowered in the past? Too many questions begging for answers.
I often wonder what exactly the matter is with us we practically groan and grumble over anything and everything. Someone once wrote that we all have the Abacha traits in us. We are all autocratic and oppressive in nature, the reason Democracy is not working here and may never work in most parts of Africa. We are just too intolerant and too dismissive. But for me and my house, I’m a consummate Democrat. I believe everyone has the right to aspire to any height in life, especially in politics. Political leadership is not the personal property of any person, dynasty or group!
If you ask me, I will tell you, unequivocally, and repeatedly, that Tinubu is eminently qualified to contest. If you ask me if he is a saint, I will say no. None of us is. Not even Buhari. Not you, not me. Nations are not governed by saints but by performers. That is one of the recurring theses that I regularly propagate in my musings and reflections. I have no illusions that Tinubu will definitely perform as President of Nigeria, if he ever contests and wins. He has a knack for identifying brilliant minds and fertile brains, and the ability to nurture them to greatness. He has demonstrated this repeatedly and almost endlessly. Examples abound without doubt.
Does Tinubu suffer from excesses and shortcomings? Perhaps, again like all mortals, he does. This does not diminish his greatness. His excesses are mitigated by several strong and positive qualities. He is generous to a fault. He has lifted many souls, old and young, from penury and perdition. He is a classic example of the Good Samaritan. We all have our shortcomings and why should Tinubu be an exception. Too many unprintable rumours, myths and comments have been circulated in writing and also spoken about him, some bordering on character assassination and unverifiable vilification, but God chooses and anoints those he wants. And no one can challenge God. It is obvious that Tinubu has been richly blessed, despite his apparent foibles. Such is life.
I have followed his trajectory for close to three decades. His story is a stuff of fairy tales. All those who have disparaged, derided, denigrated and despised him have not been able to bring him down, despite their monumental efforts to achieve this. When you think he is supine, broken and out, he rises, like the Black onyx and soars again. I witnessed this, live and direct, during our exile days. Many times, we all felt down and out but Tinubu’s passion and influence re-engineered things and made us redouble our efforts. The reason is simple. Tinubu has an uncommon audacity. I believe his bravery has taken him beyond his own imagination. A man who has survived too many tribulations like him cannot be an ordinary soul. God must love him dearly and extraordinarily. He has fought many battles that he won, spectacularly. He is naturally smart and adequately fearless. A mutual friend once told a few of us that he is very sure Tinubu would still take the risk even if you say a particular venture will kill him. He has such kamikaze instincts. You can’t go far in life, if you’re too squeamish and Tinubu is a living proof that courage conquers all.
It is wrong to say Tinubu has no right to run for the Presidency in 2023. Who are those who will run if he does not? How are they better? What qualifies them to run that disqualifies him from running? Yes, I may prefer younger people to take over but many of them we have seen have not justified the noise about “not too young to rule,” by ruling senselessly and recklessly. I’m now convinced that age should not be a deliberate barrier; track record of achievements should be the priority. I welcome all those who want to run and believe that they should be allowed to run without hindrance. It is wrong to muzzle the opposition, or even an opponent, because any nationalist and patriot will want the best for Nigeria and so long as the people express their preference for that person, he should be given the opportunity. Nigeria has suffered and continues to suffer because Murtala Mohammed, Chief M. K. O. Abiola and, to a lesser extent, Chief Obafemi Awolowo were not allowed to rule Nigeria by the selfish manipulations and evil machinations of incurably selfish and obviously misguided elements.
Let’s now take on the issues I earlier mentioned, one by one. Those who are petrified, or just being cheeky, that the Hausa/Fulani will never hand over power to the South and, by extension, to Tinubu, and others, really baffle me. Self-doubt is one of the biggest afflictions of the Southerners. Too many people suffer from inferiority complex. They have resigned themselves to slavery and servitude, voluntarily, in their own country. This is one of the reasons the Tinubu experiment and controversy is ‘sweeting’ me. If Tinubu cannot be supported by the North, despite all he did for Muhammadu Buhari to become President, after chasing the shadows for three record times, then there is no hope for Nigeria. In any event, I must stress that it is an insult to other parts of Northern Nigeria to suggest that there is a monolithic and homogenous North. We all know that is far from the truth. There are diverse and disparate tribes in the Middle belt. Even within the core north there are several minority tribes who do not share the same aspirations as their more visible and vociferous neighbours. We must discourage the notion of master-servant relationship in this country. We must promote unity and uphold the rights of every Nigerian citizen. Personally, I don’t care where the next President comes from, North, East, South or West. All aspirants are welcome. The more, the merrier.
That is why I’m not for zoning, in any form. I want aspirants to contest on their disastrous or meritorious records. Let the electorates be the judges. But to say someone is automatically disqualified on account of ethnicity, or even religion, is so unfortunate and so not right and definitely unacceptable, at this time and age. It is one of the reasons that we have been robbed of stellar leaders in the past and the present. Are we not tired of this intractable backwardness?
On Awolowo and Abiola, it was the same myopia that made some powerful forces to gang up against them. What did the enemies of progress then gain after all? Let’s concede that Awolowo did not win, what of Abiola who was robbed in broad daylight and even paid the supreme price! Who knows if Tinubu will finally cross the bridge and finish the final lap of this marathon? No one knows God’s plans. Goodluck Jonathan never dreamt of being Deputy Governor, talk less of becoming President of Africa’s most populous country. Yemi Osinbajo had resigned himself to Law and Pastoral work but suddenly and unexpectedly became Vice President, almost effortlessly. He was probably home, arms akimbo, when he was called and annointed from the blues. Also, his helicopter crashed one terrible afternoon on his way to some political rallies in Kogi State, yet none of the passengers died. Many have died in less chaotically dangerous circumstances, and not a scratch on these children of God. Was that not a powerful sign and testimony that these are not mere mortals to be rubbished or traduced.
Some contend that Tinubu should not contest but instead allow one of his proteges to run instead. However, it is my belief that such a decision is solely his. It must always be remembered that he had the chance to be Vice-President and could have put his foot down to make the coalition work. On that occasion, for the good of his Party and the Nation, he gave up his dream and ambition and put forward another spectacular candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who has not let his mentor down and has shown admirable comportment and grace. I believe there must therefore be some cogent reasons why he feels the time has come to be the king rather than a Kingmaker in perpetuity. There is nothing wrong in him making such an informed decision. He should be allowed to exercise his franchise and bet on himself again. Tinubu is an enigmatic calculator who knows how to permutate the game and stun his opponents. Like Buhari, I want to assume that Tinubu had planned this journey for a very long time. All the steps he has taken since 1999 obviously point to this fact. The kind of political and social machinery that he has built is probably only matched and surpassed by those of great leaders that nurtured and forged our Independence, like the Owelle of Onitsha, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Odole of Ife, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Moshood Abiola. The rest is in the hands of God.
For me, Tinubu’s ambition is not an impossible mission. He is a master strategist who has acquired the templates of others like Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Chief Moshood Abiola, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, plus being one of those who ran Buhari’s campaigns, substantially. He knows the Nigerian terrain very well and even his enemies respect him tremendously.
For me, what gives Tinubu pre-eminence over most of the others who are contending for the crown but presently hiding behind one finger is his glittering records and achievements in both the private and public sectors. I really do not care about his past because as a Christian, none of us can judge anyone, and I have ample examples of the possible transformation and transfiguration of human beings, as the Lord pleases. That is a long time ago and gone with the winds. He has done more than enough to remove that from his narrative. Whatever his background was, he cannot be robbed of his victory and glory perpetually. Yes, it is clear that he came from very humble beginnings of deprivation and chronic need but he sought to improve himself by seeking the golden fleece. He succeeded in his quest attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. His success in this regard can be measured by the fact that he was head hunted by top accounting firms like Arthur Andersen and Deloitte, Haskins and Sells. He eventually joined Mobil in Nigeria where he excelled spectacullarly and rose to become a top executive in the company. His should thus be a veritable inspiration to majority of those in similar circumstances today, that anyone can rise up from the pit of hell to any heights, by dint of hard work and uncommon sagacity and determination.
His political career started in 1992. He was elected to the highest legislative house in the Nigerian Senate. When that ill-fated experiment by General Ibrahim Babangida went the way, it was programmed to go, Tinubu fled Nigeria and regrouped with like minded patriotic Nigerians to form the external wing of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). After the death of General Sani Abacha, Tinubu returned home to contest as Governor of Lagos State and won a convincing victory.
It is Tinubu’s achievements as a two-term Governor of Lagos State that has projected him to the prominent and exalted position that he now occupies in the Nigerian political sphere. He began the systematic and robust increase of the internally generated revenue of Lagos State which his successors have had no choice but to emulate, and sustain incrementally thus making Lagos State one of the richest self-sustaining ‘governments’ in Africa. His indomitable and indefatigable spirit led him to challenge the Federal Government headlong and succeeded in standing tall as he fought President Olusegun Obasanjo to a standstill. Despite not having access to funding for his local governments, Tinubu single-handedly revived and revamped Local Governments in Lagos State and brought tremendous developments to practically every part of Lagos State. His other great political prowess is in identifying quality and talented leaders from hitherto political obscurity and foisting them on the people to great effect.
I strongly believe that Tinubu should be given a chance on the merit when, and if, he eventually proclaims his candidacy. Others will eventually come forth and should also be considered on their merits. As they do, we will have cause to revisit their suitability. Our country can only gain from such robustly healthy competition. We have a preponderance of brilliant men and women who can take Nigeria to the zenith of greatness but they are usually wasted on the altar of greed and selfishness.
What is clear to me is that it is only a matter of time before events begin to unfold.
In the meantime, I can only wish Tinubu all the best in his appointment with destiny.
Prominent Ondo traditional rulers have added their voices to the growing agitation for All Progressive Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to join the 2023 Presidential race.
Speaking at separate events in Owo, Oba, Ikare and Akure while playing host to a delegation of the South West Agenda (SWAGA) Initiative, a volunteer group mobilising support for the Asiwaju’s 2023 Presidential ambition, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye,l; Oba Yussuf Adebori Adeleye, the Olubaka of Oka Kingdom; Oba Akadiri Mommoh, the Olukare of Ikare Kingdom; and the Deji of Akure Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, made a clarion call on all sons and daughters of Yorubaland to come together and work for Tinubu’s success in the 2023 elections.
The delegation, led by its Chairman, Senator Dayo Adeyeye and comprising top party leaders, National Assembly members, SWAGA members and party stakeholders from the entire south west, had made an early morning stop at Oba Ogunyoye’s palace in Owo Welcoming them to the palace after listening to an address by Adeyeye, Oba Ogunoye declared that Tinubu is the best person to lead Nigeria come2023.
He further stated: “Without any gainsaying, Tinubu is the most experienced, most proven and most resourceful candidate to lead Nigeria to a new level of growth and economic stability from 2023 and beyond.
“He is a person the entire nation can trust. I will stop at nothing to mobilize all available resources, along with my entire colleague in Owo Kingdom; and our diverse people and communities, to ensure he wins the Presidency”.
On the national stage, he noted that Tinubu’s influence had grown tremendously pan Nigeria; and that he had long invested immensely in people and communities in the length and breadth of Nigeria; attributes which he noted, would make him quite sellable in all nooks and crannies of the federation. He offered special prayers and Thanksgiving.
