A resurfaced video of Labour Party figure Pat Utomi has stirred fresh conversations, as it shows him commending the leadership qualities of President Bola Tinubu \u2014 a notable contrast to his recent stance.<\/p>\n
Utomi, who has in recent months criticized the Tinubu administration and announced the formation of a shadow government as an alternative policy platform, described Tinubu in the video as a respected leader with foresight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe gentleman has my respect,\u201d Utomi said in the clip, which is now circulating widely on social media.<\/p>\n
In the footage, Utomi credits the transformation of Lagos State to Tinubu\u2019s decisions as governor beginning in 1999. \u201cWhat happened to Lagos was that it got a fellow called Bola Tinubu to be governor in 1999,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He revealed that after Tinubu\u2019s election, he was invited to join the governor\u2019s transition team, which brought together professionals from various sectors. According to Utomi, he continued to play a role in the administration\u2019s quarterly retreats even after the cabinet was formed.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything that is happening in Lagos was planned then. That is why my regard and respect for him are extraordinary,\u201d Utomi said. He recalled a moment that shaped his opinion about Tinubu\u2019s leadership style. \u201cWhy do I think President Bola Tinubu is a leader?\u201d he asked rhetorically.<\/p>\n
He cited a retreat at Akodo, where tensions between Tinubu and his then-deputy were evident. \u201cDespite those tensions, everything was going on smoothly. The deputy was very aggressive in stating her view on things,\u201d Utomi recounted. \u201cThere would be just quiet, and conversations will continue as if nothing\u2026 He would either ignore what she said or politely comment on it and move on. Then I said, \u2018This is nice\u2026 if this fellow can manage these differences so well.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Utomi further described an incident at one of the retreats where, in Tinubu\u2019s absence, some cabinet members clashed with the deputy governor. He attributed the earlier calm to Tinubu\u2019s influence: \u201cAt the moment, it struck me that it is the aura of Bola Tinubu that is keeping this place working. That was the day he won my respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also spoke on Tinubu\u2019s approach to choosing successors. \u201cHe had good judgment to pick a successor. Most of us disagreed. We thought he should pick somebody else\u2026 That successor turned out to do a decent job. And then, again, the next step, we saw wisdom in the choice that was made.\u201d<\/p>\n
The video adds nuance to Utomi\u2019s current political posture, especially in light of recent developments, including legal action against him by the Department of State Services following his announcement of a shadow government.<\/p>\n
While Utomi continues to critique the current administration\u2019s policies, the comments in the video offer insight into a more complex history between the two political figures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A resurfaced video of Labour Party figure Pat Utomi has stirred fresh conversations, as it shows him commending the leadership qualities of President Bola Tinubu \u2014 a notable contrast to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":118911,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-118910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n