It has become absolutely necessary for me to write again and today speak
\nin this tone in the course of our nation’s history. Facts, they often say,
\nare indeed facts and the undeniable fact is that the line of justice and
\nfair play must be toed under the existing circumstances no matter whose ox
\nis gored to move Nigeria forward. The propeller shaft of the Nigerian Ship
\nOf State must be properly overhauled as we begin yet another voyage to the
\npromised land.<\/p>\n
The time has come to put national interest above selfish and regional
\ninterests and I remain unshaken in my conviction that this is indeed the
\nideal which the Great Oak, the Asiwaju of the Yoruba race stands for. That
\nis why he has been at the forefront of pro-democracy struggle through the
\nages to reposition Nigeria on the path of socio-politco and economic
\ndevelopment. He could not have risked his life by standing toe to toe with
\nthe military which we were all living witnesses to until the former
\nreluctantly relinquished their hold on power in 1999.<\/p>\n
Armed with a vision he dutifully and conscientiously served the country as
\ngovernor and came out a model leader. This, of course, is not in dispute.
\nThe Asiwaju is the most formidable political figure in Nigeria today who
\nbelieves the unbelievable, and has achieved the unachievable political
\ngoal. He expects more from himself than from others at the risk of his own
\nlife to regenerate our country. By words and deeds, he has inspired and
\nshown many how to get there and brought many along for what turns out to
\nbe an unbelievable ride.<\/p>\n
Our nascent or infantile democracy has been fraught with unexpected
\nproblems, major crises, unforeseen roadblocks and as a leader he has
\nconsistently taken down the sails, batten the hatches and like a deal that
\nwas planned and executed with military precision did not allow the
\nopportunity to rescue Nigeria from instability and uncertainty to slip by.
\nHe did not see these twin evils- instability and uncertainty- as barrier
\nbut as an enabler to reorganize, reshape our future thereby making us much
\nstronger and regaining our rightful place in the comity of nations, this
\nhe succeeded in doing with a professional touch.<\/p>\n
That the Great Oak is openly human is not in dispute. I think he is one
\nNigerian who shows sincere excitement when things go well, celebrates and
\nempathizes with people but worries and swiftly rises to even out an
\nimbalance which may affect people’s capacity for physical and mental
\nwell-being.<\/p>\n
The Great Oak – Bola Ahmed Tinubu – has been leading by permission and
\nexpressed consent; that is what democracy is all about and he has made
\ntangible contribution towards good governance on a daily basis thereby
\nfulfilling the essence of having a government in society. Today, Nigeria
\nappears to be suffering from too many problems and these range from our
\nindividual complexity to a frustration factor.<\/p>\n
A new government was put in place in Nigeria about fifty days ago through
\nnone other than the agency of the above-named. Having studied the
\nsituation, he saw that the country was desirous of change which he fought
\ndoggedly for and it is all to bring the dividends of democracy to our
\npeople. This is a man who comes from a region that has a breed of great
\nintellects and he doubtless is one himself. He could not have fought to
\ninstall a government only to be hijacked by a cast of neophyte actors
\nwhose mediocrity would only succeed in further plunging us headlong into
\nabysmal depths.<\/p>\n
This second piece on the Great Oak – the Asiwaju of the Yoruba race – is
\ndeemed absolutely necessary in reaction to readers comments and
\ncriticisms. Some severely criticized my opinion and argued that the
\nAsiwaju does not own Nigeria and can therefore not dictate to about 170
\nmillion Nigerians how the ship sails in the National Assembly. With all
\ndue respect, I express my disagreement with them. Like I did say before it
\nis high time we put national interest above selfish and regional
\ninterests. Good governance is all we urgently stand in need of and it is
\nall about the security of lives and property, productivity, and job
\ncreation and these were what the immediate past administration presumably
\nlacked that gave birth to a merger. Thus, the All Progressives Congress as
\na child of necessity became the product of his untiring efforts to
\nrevitalize democracy in Nigeria. Hence, the wind of change must be allowed
\nto catch the sails.<\/p>\n
The majority of people have spoken against dissenting voices and a new
\ngovernment is now in place in Africa’s largest economy and biggest
\ndemocracy. It therefore, behooves everyone to rally popular support for a
\nforce of accountable, responsive and legitimate government which the
\nAsiwaju represents by standing up to local gangs who loathe the Asiwaju
\nleadership of the All Progressives Congress. This, however, is not to say
\nthere are no Nigerians on the north of the Niger who are practically in
\nsympathy with the Asiwaju’s liberal ideals.<\/p>\n
I have lived in this part of the Old World for over two decades now and
\nstudied their political institutions and system of governance. On this
\nside of the globe everyone with skill aspires to reach the highest level;
\nthere is relentless advance of the meritocracy and this ideal is seen in
\npractice in liberal democracies like Italy, France, Germany, Britain,
\nNorway and in fact throughout the euro-zone.<\/p>\n
The old political order which is in practice in Nigeria must give way if
\nshe is ever to progress like other advanced nations. Mediocrity is highly
\nrewarded in Nigeria where you find a square peg in a round hole. This has
\nweakened and destroyed our institutions. It is not in dispute that the
\nAsiwaju is a formidable force out to propel the prophets of competent
\ntechnocrats and meritocracy into power in a new Nigeria that was
\nunarguably given birth to on May 29, 2015.<\/p>\n
To every problem plaguing Nigeria today, there is no denying the fact he
\nhas a clue looking back at his proven and impressive pedigrees. The Great
\nOak doubtless has a title which accords him the right to direct, instruct,
\norganize and instill discipline and a sense of self-worth in others. Many,
\nI am told, remember him not only for his remarkable achievements but for
\ninspiring by example and helping others on a personal and individual level
\nlike such that we saw that first brought former President Jonathan and
\nlater President Buhari to power.<\/p>\n
All in all, President Buhari must distance himself from regional
\negocentric loners who rally round him like traditional izimbongi with an
\nover-inflated sense of self-worth. Conversely, he would be better advised
\nto heed the voice of unflinching candour emanating from a Dutch uncle, the
\nAsiwaju of the Yoruba race! Like I pointed out earlier on under no
\ncircumstances should regional interest be allowed to overshadow or
\nsupersede national interest. The Asiwaju has by words and deeds stood out
\nby a public display of support for a popular initiative and risked sailing
\nunchartered waters since 1992. In fact, meritocracy one of his distinctive
\ntrademarks must be allowed to triumph and dictate the pace under the new
\ndispensation. Anything short of this, I dare say, is morally bound to
\nreturn us to the proverbial vicious circle.<\/p>\n
Iyoha John Darlington, a social activist, an opinion leader, political
\nanalyst and public commentator on national and global issues writes from
\nTurin, Italy.<\/p>\n