The Choice Of Tinubu’s Running Mate Critical Review Of Political Behaviour & Electoral Victory

By Otunba GOC Bada
(National Secretary TSO)

First, let me begin by stating that Politics is the only institution, or mildly say, the only profession, that admits all other professionals as students. You could be an internationally recognised Professor in Law, Engineering or Medicine, or General in the military, you are a bloody apprentice in Politics. It’s another trade entirely, full of intrigues and human psychology. Many educated Nigerians have failed woefully in Politics because of their lack of understanding of Politics and Political Behaviour.

Let me also say that Politics is not a dirty game, as generally assumed, but the Players. Therefore, Politics is a science and an Art.

Let’s briefly look at the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as APC Presidential Flag Bearer. Who’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu? What did he do different to clinch the ticket? What role did the Presidency, National Assembly, the Governors, Traditional-cum Religious Leaders, Support Organisations, Private Sector Group, Women, Youths and ofcourse Social Critics, Opinion Leaders and Press played? What is the electoral strength of the 6 Geo-political zones and its relevance to the choice of Tinubu’s Running Mate and the electoral victory? Who then determine the choice of Tinubu’s Running Mate?

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in my view, is a child of destiny. Call him any names, he remains the Spirit, a Moving Force in Nigeria’s politics. There’s no need running again through his outstanding achievements in the private and public sectors.

What he did different to clinch the APC Presidential Ticket is nothing specular other than a long-term plan and well articulated political strategy. All he did and said were clearly designed for political victory, not only at the Presidential Primary but also the campaign and forthcoming elections.

The President was and still an ardent Supporter of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. How he played the game during the Presidetial Primary can only be understood by his ethnic and military background. His preference for Asiwaju was let loose at Eagles Square on the announcement of the Man with 1271 score. Unfortunately, the so called Cabal in the Presidency and the “anointed” Candidates misunderstood this fine Infantry General. The Members of the National Assembly and the Governors were all Chess Players, planning and scheming for their political interests. Can you blame them? Politics, to this set of Legislators, is pure business. Everyone wanted to remain politically relevant in the next dispensation.

The Traditional and Religious Leaders, believe it or not, belong to a section of the political class. Interestingly, and expectedly, Asiwaju exploited the section maximally for his success at the Primary. Do not be surprised that this section of the political class shall be utilised positively in the next stage. This is their time of political relevance. Kabiyesi ooh.

Hundreds of support groups emerged, with different motives and agendas. The most formidable, with significant presence in the 36 States of the Federation (including FCT) and in Diaspora and with little or no political interests, is Tinubu Support Organization. Though, the activities of Tinubu Support Group (TSG) were well funded, his Leader’s role during the Primary was outstanding and highly significant to the final score of 1271. Kudos to Hon. Faleke.

With its membership all over Nigeria, I can see Tinubu Support Organization (TSO) led by Hon.Aminu Suleiman assuming a leading role in the next stage and in the final emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is my prayer that TSO through its established structure shall be well funded with accountability and Transparency as watchwords.

As earlier mentioned, the Governors (Southern or Northern) played major role to promote their interests. It must however be said that the Governors Support for a Southern Presidential Candidate was significantly important for the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Flag Bearer. The Press and ofcourse Social Critics or Human Rights Activists played their “normal” roles.

Similarly, the electoral strengths of the 6 Geopolitical Zones came to play in the struggle for the Delegates.
What role did Mallam Nuru Ribadu, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Governors El-Rufai, Ganduje, Masari, Akeredolu, Sanwo-Olu, Bagudu, Zulum, Shettima and/or Speaker Gbajabiami, Hon.Aminu Suleiman and Hon. Abiodun Faleke played that any one of this people deserves to be nominated as Tinubu’s Running Mate?
For political expediency and electoral calculation, the Vice Presidential Candidate, and Tinubu’s Running Mate must come from the North. There is 3 Geopolitical Zones in the North: North East, North Central and North West. What is their electoral strengths and relevance? The Political Behavior, Capabilities, Capacity and the Supportive roles played by the recommended Northerners to Tinubu before and during Presidential Primary must be adequately addressed.

Expectedly, Key Politicians from this 3 Geopolitical Zones would be running sleepless nights to outsmart one another.The fight is on, principally between North East and North West.

Political traps have been set and unfortunately the inexperienced, greedy, politically shortsighted individuals will fall into these dangerous traps. Those who have openly supported one Politician or another have fallen into traps or at best just expressed their personal views. To that extent, they are on their own.

Who then has the final say on Tinubu’s Running Mate. Simple answer. None of the above-mentioned individuals including those that have fallen into the Political Traps would have any say but Senator BolaTinubu, the APC Presidential Candidate, after due consultation with President Buhari and Key APC Leaders. QED.

It is on this note that I wish to say that Tinubu Support Organization stand firm in its resolve to support whoever Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our Party APC nominate as the Presidential Running Mate. To all our teeming members and supporters, Tinubu Support Organization remains the best and formidable support organisation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

May God bless Tinubu Support Organisation
God bless Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
And May God bless Nigeria 🇳🇬 🙏 🙌
Thank you.

Signed
7th July, 2022