8th December, 2010
As governorship aspirants under the banner of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) warm up for the Lagos Government House in 2011, former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has declared that he had not anointed anyone for the coveted seat.
The former governor stated emphatically that he could not singlehandedly pick a governorship candidate for the party in Lagos State.
His response puts paid to the impression created by some politicians that he had thrown his weight behind one of the aspirants jostling to be governor of the state.
The former governor, who was on a visit to the State House of Assembly, Alausa, yesterday, was asked who his anointed candidate for Lagos State was and he said: “I am not into that, I am not a pastor. I don’t have the anointing oil or the spiritual power.
“I am just a party leader and leadership is about collective decision process.  You too have the right of endorsement; you have the right to be in position of influence.â€
Tinubu also said he was not disturbed by those who were allegedly threatening his life, adding that he was used to such threats, having faced graver situations during the military era.
“This is not the first time I am facing such a threat. I have been in it since 1991, 1993 and 1994 during the military dictatorship and our crusade to bring democracy to the country,†he said.
“If those so-called opponents are becoming a danger and we all become afraid to lead the crusade for full democratisation, for true federalism, for justice in our society, then we are finished as a nation,†he added.
Tinubu also saluted the bravery of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, for defending the cause of democracy when he accused members of the National Assembly of consuming 25 percent of the nation’s budget.
He described the lawmakers as greedy and called on ACN lawmakers in the National Assembly not to join the crusade against Sanusi for saying the right thing.
The former governor who spoke at a four-day training conference for local government legislators at the Eko FM Multi-Purpose Hall, Ikeja, Lagos, said the lawmakers, who constitute 0.01 percent of the population should not be so greedy as to take more than one percent of the budget.
He commended Sanusi for exposing the greedy lawmakers, adding that he was proud of him.
In his address to the councillors, Tinubu admonished them to examine themselves always so that they can serve the people better.
“If you must be people-focus, there must be accountability, soul searching and accountability. Government programme must fit the needs of our people.
“You must not be an overbearing executive in any part or arms of government. The legislators at the grassroots are not there to bake cake or take slices from the bread of our state, they are there to serve the people. And if it is all about service, then, they have to show commitment to the people,†he stated.
Tinubu also expressed his support for separation of powers in a democracy but warned that it should not be abused. “We must not abuse it. There is no way anyone can stop you from performing your constitutional duty. We must salute all arms of our government in the state for the exemplary format today,†he said.
He urged the councillors to continue to ask questions on, “how long have we reviewed the revenue allocation formula? How frequent is the period recommended by the constitution, and if is in every five years, has there been changes in the environment, population and the needs of the society?â€
—Kazeem Ugbodaga, Eromosele Ebhomele, Yisa Jamiu
