Nigeria’s President elect and former governor of Lagos state is known as a man who can easily spot greatness and potentials.
In Nigeria today, Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the political giant who has risen from being a king maker to being the King himself as he publicly declared.
Tinubu’s long walk to being Nigeria President elect was marred with betrayals from some of the people he had helped, raised and given opportunity to become what they are today, in Politics.
Some of them are now Ministers, Governors, House of Reps members, and even Vice President etc.
16 years after leaving office , Tinubu made his intention known that he wanted to be Nigeria’s president through the popular ‘EMI LOKAN’, slogan and declaration.
Expectedly, being a Godfather in Nigeria politics, no one would have expected that Tinubu would have been backstabbed by his own people who he raised to become prominent, many of whom were persecuted, afflicted and denied until Tinubu came to their recue.
However Tinubu has always prepared for betrayals way ahead regardless of the source.
He said “Disappointment is an energiser for me. You disappoint me, I work harder. You betray me, I don’t get angry, I ignore you.
The following is a list of politicians that have betrayed Tinubu
- Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
Osinbajo is considered to be a political godson of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and both men’s ambition to be the country’s leader tore the long term relationship between the duo. Tinubu who single handedly made the coming of President Buhari long term dream of becoming Nigeria President possible was expected to have become the Vice president, but being a visioner, Tinubu gave the presidential slot to Yemi Osinbajo.
The Vice President in the bid to become the APC flagbearer had once said ‘he owes nobody any allegiance’ unfortunately for him, he went head to head with Bola Tinubu and came a distant third.
- Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
The unthinkable fight between Aregbesola and Tinubu started a few years ago. Specifically at the time that Aregbesola began his own transition from office after eight years in office. Interestingly, the relationship went sour during the reelection bid of former governor of Osun State Gboyega Oyetola.
Aregbesola could be easily referred to as Tinubu most loyal man before 2018, little wonders Tinubu left the Lagos structure of Lagos to Aregbesola being a long time political ally. Tinubu who had fought tooth and nail to see Aregbesola become the governor ,even as Aregbesola himself had lost in 2010.
The gloves were finally off bare knuckle fist between the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election. Aregbesola had allegedly told his supporters and delegates not to support Tinubu during the presidential primary. Alimosho Local government the strong hold of Aregbesola in Lagos state performed woefully during the presidential election, Osun state where Aregbesola was a two term governor also failed to deliver for the ruling party despite Aregbesola influence.
- Babafemi Ojodu
Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a seasoned journalist and social activist who doubles as a politician, once described Asiwaju as a blessing from God to this generation, unfortunately when it was time to support him, Ojodu backed out.
Babafemi during an interview session with Chude Jideonwo poured cold water in the presidential aspiration on the APC National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he would rather return to the farm than work with the ex-Lagos State governor if President Muhammadu Buhari decides to back him next year.
Ojodu once wrote about Tinubu he said
“Many today, including myself, are beneficiaries of his kindness. I have tried to measure up in this regard, but the more I try, the more I realise that a man who would measure up to Asiwaju in Nigeria in acts of kindness must belong to another generation as I have come to believe it is one per generation. Tinubu has already been chosen as the one for our own generation.
Talk about giving back to humanity, I say without apologies that Tinubu has given more than enough. If it were possible for humanity to return excesses (like we have in budgetary situations), Tinubu would have too much kindness to take back’.
Unfortunately when it was time for the support of a man who he has benefited massively from, Ojodu ignored Tinubu.
