Political notes
‘I know that at this stage, egos have been bruised. However, the difference between an ordinary man and a statesman, between a person and a patriot, between a follower and
‘I know that at this stage, egos have been bruised. However, the difference between an ordinary man and a statesman, between a person and a patriot, between a follower and a leader is the ability to rise above the din and ignore personal interests to serve the larger common interests and public good’ —Bukola Saraki on way forward for PDP
Masari: Reward for loyalty
He was never an impostor. He was a loyal party man in whom much confidence was reposed. It was because of his lack of capacity for betrayal, treachery and perfidy.
That was why the All Progressives Congress (APC) search team found Ibrahim Kabiru Masari from Katsina State suitable for the role of a placeholder for the running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 election.
Last week, the venerable placeholder, having continuously justified the confidence reposed in him by President BolaAhmedTinubu, was elevated from Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters to Political Adviser on Political Matters.
Masari smelled the number two office briefly, having been positioned as a camouflage vice presidential candidate; a temporary symbol and occupant of a position that will be filled later. That was in June.
The ruling party tested the waters with the Muslim/Muslim ticket, but the reaction of stakeholders was mild because the ticket was not fully original.
For one month, Masari filled the void, merely warming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register.
In July, he discharged the patriotic duty of stepping aside for Senator Kashim Shettima to become the running mate.
If he had declined, the ruling party would have momentarily boxed itself into turbulence.
At the onset of the Fourth Republic, an elderstatesman who pursued two positions - Presidency and Senate - at a time reposed confidence in a loyalist to hold forte at the senatorial race for him. He left certainty for uncertainty. When his presidential ambition predictably collapsed, he return home to ask for the senatorial ticket.
His so-called loyalist vanished into the thin air, only to return for the poll that took him to the Senate. The godfather accepted his fate. But since the expiration of the senator’s first term,nothing has been heard about him politically.
Political leaders treasure trust. That trust was the baseline for the agreement between a governor and a senator from a Southsouth. The senator agreed to contest for deputy governor and later vacated the Upper Chamber to enable the former governor to contest for the vacant Senate seat.
Tendering his resignation letter, Masari said: “This is to inform our esteemed party leaders under our able President Muhammadu Buhari, teeming party members and the great people of Nigeria, of the outcome of a crucial discussion I just had with the flag-bearer of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Recall that I had the singular honour and privilege of being nominated as the running-mate to Asiwaju Tinubu last month after a keenly contested presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“But, after much reflection and wider consultations, I now wish to step down. I realized that my decision will enable Asiwaju have more latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position our party to win the coming elections, with the support of the people of Nigeria.”
The Tinubu Campaign Organisation, which confirmed the resignation in a statement by
James Faleke, interim national coordinator, hailed Masari for his sacrifice.
“This is to inform and confirm that Alhaji Ibrahim Masari has stepped down as Vice Presidential nominee to the flag-bearer of APC in the 2023 presidential elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
“Alhaji Masari has communicated his decision to us from Saudi Arabia where he is presently performing the lesser hajj. While saluting Alhaji Masari’s sacrifice, we believe this will give Asiwaju Tinubu an opportunity to take a decision that will further enhance the chances of our great party in the 2023 elections.”
Sometimes, loyalty is not in vain. Masari’s example shows that it pays to be loyal than to be otherwise.
Ondo: Thrice lucky
Like Ogun State, Ondo is thrice lucky. In the federal cabinet from Ogun are Finance and Controlling Economy Minister Wale Edun, Technology and Innovation Minister Bosun Tijani and Minister of State for Health Dr. Ishiak Salako.
Now, from Ondo are Ayodele Olawande (Youth), Bunmi Tunji-Ojo (Interior) and Taiwo Oyedele (Minister of State, Finance).
Akoko, a sub-Yoruba group, is lucky. Akoko Morthwest is twice lucky. Ojo, a prominent politician and potential governorship, is from Oke-Agbe. Oyedele is from Ikaramu-Akoko.
For Ondo State and particularly the Akoko axis, there is a bonus that amounts to tripple blessings.
Adam back on his feet
He disappeared, as it were, from the radar after he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat in Abuja as national chairman.
Whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was his candidate or not in 2023, his party won, and being chairman, he shared from the joy.
Abdullahi Adamu, elderstatesman, former minister, former governor and senator, was former President Muhammadu Buhari’s associate who defended him in the Senate and reaped the reward by being catapulted into the leadership of the party.
He was closely associated with the last minute presidential ambition of former Senate President Ahmad Lawan. It crumbled. It degenerated into controversy. Few months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed the reins, power also changed hands at the party secretariat. Adamu and the party secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, were out.
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Nothing was heard about the politician from Nasarawa until he resurfaced at a party meeting in Abuja recently, hale and hearty, and respected as the chairman of the Buhari era and elderstatesman who left party office involuntarily.
Adelabu: loss of presidential confidence?
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Nigerians are complaining about blackout. Households are boxed into nightmare. Industries are on their knees. What is the Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu,doing to ensure stable electricity supply?
The banker in the power ministry is finding it difficult to fix the sector, although it was a cardinal campaign promise of the ruling party.
Last week, the president proposed to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) a possible way out. An 11-member Committee on Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO) was yesterday set up by President Bola Ahmed in Abuja.The mandate of the panel is to ensure the smooth incorporation of the company. The committe is chaired by Presidential Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Adelabu is a member, but not the chief driver.
Is presidential confidence about certain abilities not in doubt?
Makinde and his succession plan
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has many achievements to his credit. After eight years, he will bow out next year. He has now directed any of his aides interested in succeeding him or any other position to start consultation and mobilisation.
But there is a coveat: they must campaign on the platform of the PDP, whether the ship is sinking or not? Fatai Owoseni, Security Adviser, appears uncomfortable. He is gazing at the Accord Party. But how far can he go?
Who would receive the ticket from Makinde? Would he come from Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oyo or Oke-Ogun?
May Oyo not slide into the violence of the Adedibu era. Already, tolerance is fading. There was no directive from any official quarter that Afeez Gbolarunmi’s house should be attacked. But it happened. Since the former “deputy governor” is in the Wike/Anyanwu camp, the rumours have multiplied.
Eyes are on Oyo, and the governor as the state warms up for nomination politics, intra-party and inter-party face-offs and grand preparations for next year’s polls.
