‘Tinubu Has Redefined Leadership’

Senate Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, GOS, has described the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a strategist, whose somewhat idiosycratic disposition has redefined who a leader is, time and time again.

GOS who stated this while congratulating Asiwaju Tinubu on his 60th birthday celebration, added that it is not so much about his radical understanding of both the business and politics of governance as evidenced in his inventive eight-year administration as the governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007 or the fact that he has an unfathomable insight into the nuances of the game of politics, especially its rudimentary details.

He said, “Consumate, shrewd and tactical, Asiwaju is perspectively ingenious. This is particularly enshrined in his ability to sustain the progressive structure even when he was the last man standing. His state of mind is one of a classical case study. It is something that is difficult to really situate within the context of the dynamics of our politics.

“He has spent most of his life fighting for an egalitarian society. That he was one of those who fought for our nascent democracy is common place. He has always desired a society and country governed by the rule of law and sound justice where the rights of everyone, especially the downtrodden are protected and guaranteed.

“He is as ambitious as any known politician, yet without an inkling of desperation. He epitomises the fact that being ambitious is not the the same as being desperate.

“He is committed to deep social issues and has never been afraid of making enemies for as long as they stand in the way of progress and the course of justice.

“I think it is important that I state this point, too, that Asiwaju is incredible when it comes to human relations, hence, his friendship which cuts across ethnicity, age and class,” he said.

Speaking further, the ex-chairman of the old Mushin Local Government said: “At 60, Asiwaju, you have obviously entered another phase of your illustrious life and career. At this stage, the exceptional wisdom that I know you possess will once again act as the bulwark of your leadership. It is the time you can no longer be ubiquitous and superintend over everything, everywhere, personally.

“It is the time you will sit back and watch those you have mentored to manage situations in a way that would not expose your absence, both in conception and implementation. I understand the imperatives of trust in leadership and I know that some may have failed and disappointed you, but I am convinced that there are yet millions of others who have imbibed your values and are flying your banner,” he averred.

—Henry Ojelu