Former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, is a senior friend and trusted political associate of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, BAT, the controversial Presidential aspirant, who is certainly the most talked-about politician in Nigeria today.
Tinubu’s presidential aspiration has always been known by his close associates, whose support many analysts took for granted until recent events in his camp showed clearly that all is not well with the Jagaban and his political family.
The crack became public knowledge recently when BAT’s right-hand man, Rauf Aregbesola openly vented his anger over Tinubu’s alleged domineering leadership style. Aregbesola’s outburst came in the wake of the Governorship nomination tussle in Osun state, where the incumbent, Gboyega Oyetola, was seeking reelection against Aregbesola’s preferred candidate.
Although Aregbe lost out in the power struggle, the public quarrel between him and Tinubu has damaged the amity in the closely-knit BAT organization.
Then came the Jagaban’s presidential aspiration move. All his key political associates who were believed to be his backbone, have all come out to declare their individual presidential ambitions.
The dramatic entry of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, into the race, was the biggest indication yet, that Tinubu no longer has a full grip on his associates. Other BAT loyalists like Governor Kayode Fayemi, and Ibikunle Amosun,a Buharist from the southwest, are also in the race.
This has raised fears that a dividend southwest, which was expected to produce the next President, long touted to be BAT, might hurt the region’s chances if they failed to produce a consensus candidate at the end of the day, thus giving the north an opportunity to produce a candidate that could go on to win the election.
It is almost certain that whoever gets the APC nomination would win the election. With Tinubu’s inability to rally the support of all southwest aspirants, because of the internal crisis, Akande decided to try and align the southwest forces in an attempt to get them to step down for Tinubu when the chips are down.
Obviously, Akande couldn’t tell any aspirant not to contest, but the ultimate goal is, if Tinubu has the best chance, he should be supported, regardless of the grievances of his co-contestants.
This is a behind-the-scene calculation of Akande. And, for a truth, Tinubu has the best chance because of his massive outreach and financial war chest. Real politics demands that, rather than allow the Presidency to slip out of the hands of the southwest, the strongest candidate should get the ticket.
The fact that all the aspirants and key members of the BAT organization attended the meaning shows that the politicians of the region’s most vibrant group still respect Akande, which may help Tinubu’s cause. He needs someone to rally these forces for him and Akande seems to have achieved just that.
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