*As questions trail ex-Lagos governor’s boast of making Buhari, Osinbajo, Dapo Abiodun who they are
By KEMI KASUMU
“Bola Tinubu had openly backed presidential candidates in times past. But the candidates he supported, the Ribadus, the ATIKUs, and others never became president. Why?”
Following Thursday’s outburst by former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that without him President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun would not have be what they are, questions have been raised thrown back to him as to how it is possible for only one tree to make a forest.
A concerned Nigerian with keen interest in the 2023 politics, Dr. Fola Ojo, asked the question in his reaction titled “Can one man make man President?” obtained by The DEFENDER Friday night.
Dr. Ojo took his time by taking the former governor down memory lane saying, “Election victory is secured through team work. No one man can win an electoral contest by his own power or influence.
“Chief Obafemi Awolowo was very popular in the Southwest but had no winning team members in other areas. He died a regional champion.
“Bola Tinubu had openly backed presidential candidates in times past. But the candidates he supported, the Ribadus, the ATIKUs, and others never became president. Why? Tinubu brought his weapons of war from his region, but the other players were not formidable team members who could pull their weights in their spheres.
“BUHARI had, and till today has a cutting edge electoral value in the North. And the North has much number. In 2015, he asked for help in the Southwest. He became President.
“No matter how powerful you think you are, no one man wins an election by himself. It is team work. That was why three times BUHARI was a serial loser in contests. Let the braggarts quit bragging!
“If Tinubu will become President, Lagos or Yoruba votes alone will not do it. He needs men in other places.
“Tinubu does not have a lock on Yoruba votes. He is not strong in all Yoruba states. Even Awolowo never was 100%. Tinubu’s electoral ATM is in Lagos. That is where he is most popular. He needs popular men in other places to win. Can Tinubu who ‘made’ BUHARI make himself President? If truly he is the maker of men, it should be easy to make himself commander in chief, right?
“Elections are about a candidate’s ability to form a reliable and trusted coalition. Does JAGABAN have the trusted and sincere coalition? Are all men pulling for him really love to see him become president? Has the statement Tinubu made in Abeokuta yesterday drained from his support in the north, and his chances of becoming president 2023? I don’t know. But I know it has not helped. These questions will be answered next week and beyond. May Nigeria become great! Amen! . #SMACKDOWN” He said.
