By James Orji
The event was supposed to be a gathering of trusted associates of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to welcome him back into the country after a three-month medical trip in the United Kingdom, UK. But many of them including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Rauf Aregbesola and Babatunde Raji Fashola were obviously absent at the welcome party organized by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos at the Lagos House, Marina on Sunday.
Many Nigerians are therefore wandering whether the action of the vice president and ministers is not tantamount to disapproval of Tinubu’s 2023 presidential quest, even though the former Lagos governor has yet to declare his intention to run for the nation’s highest office.
This is more so, considering that the event was meant to drum up support for the APC National Leader who spent more than three months nursing a knee injury in London before he returned last week to the tumultuous welcome of his teeming supporters.
The vice president and the two cabinet ministers in Buhari’s government, who are known to be close to the APC stalwart did not visit him while he was in London, fueling speculation that they are trying to distance themselves from him at a critical time that his presidential ambition seems to be gathering momentum, even though some have also blamed the ministers’ failure not to visit Tinubu during his medical trip abroad, on a presidential protocol after President Buhari had paid him a visit.
Apart from the president, some APC governors, National Assembly members, including the Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila and other politicians in the ruling party visited Tinubu in London, thus turning his house in the UK into a Mecca of sort.
“There are many reasons that could have been responsible for their actions. While the vice president’s reason could be as a result of his presidential ambition, even though he’s yet to show interest, the same can also be said of Fashola who has been touted to be eyeing the presidency after Buhari has left power in 2023.
“But for Aregbesola, his case can be explained on the basis of what is happening in his state Osun where he is in a running battle with his successor, Asiwaju’s cousin. The relationship between the minister and Tinubu has not been very cordial since Gboyega Oyetola took over power from him and trying to reverse most of his legacies,’ said Akeem Adesina, a political analyst in Lagos.
But some of his close associates who spoke to the magazine said the politician still enjoys a cordial relationship with Osinbajo, Aregbesola and Fashola. “They may have been prevented from attending the occasion due to their busy schedule. There is no division is Asiwaju’s poltical family if that is what you want to know. All these suggestions that he’s not in good term with these people only exist in the imagination of those that hold such view,” one of the sources said.
In spite of what seemed like his abandonment by political associates, Tinubu has disclosed that his political influence is a strong as ever.
Speaking at the event on Sunday, the Lagos strongman said he is a leader ordained by God, adding that his medical condition is not a set back for him, as he remains fit as fiddle.
Tinubu who expressed gratitude to his supporters who stood by him while he was abroad, noted that his life was sparred by God for a purpose.
According to him, ”I am a little emotional now but I am happy. God is the giver of life and the only one who can take life.
”And He (God) says, if I grant you power and the privilege in this life; I am the only one who can take it from you if you don’t use it in the way and manner that promotes humanity.
”It is the same God that has spared us till today and has given us the privilege, that I give glory to because I am standing before you hale, hearty and well.
”Today is a day of joy for me, having fixed today for this great event. We are here giving praises to God. May God bless all of you in attendance. I am grateful. I cannot say more than that today. Thank you all,” the politician said.
