[dropcap]I[/dropcap] was pacing up and down the streets of the world’s most popular social media platform, X, and came across the name of the former vice president of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, trending.
I edged closer only to see his name being associated with betrayal all over again.
Shocked! I thought we were done with this after Osinbajo brutally lost the primary election to become the All Progressives Congress’ flagbearer in the 2023 elections to his one and only benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Anyway, for clarity, I decided to open the book of remembrance to put what really happened between the two illustrious sons of Yorubaland in better perspective for my readers.
Prof. Osinbajo became known as ‘odale’ while Dapo Abiodun, the incumbent governor of Ogun State, won the ‘Eleyi’ award during the run-up to the presidential primary elections in 2022 when all political parties in Nigeria were busy shopping for candidates to represent them.
Some of these candidates that eventually emerged didn’t shock most Nigerians because they’re habitual contenders, except for one who was shockingly brought to national reckoning as a result of the usual euphoria of Gen Z’s access to social media platforms.
But of all the political parties, the primary election of the APC was the most shocking and, at the same time, interesting.
It is a common tradition or belief for us as Africans that a vice president can easily transition into the position of president. This erroneous entitlement gained prominence in Nigeria especially when former President Goodluck Jonathan transitioned into Aso Rock’s most exalted seat after the demise of President Musa Yar’Adua.
Jonathan was later sent packing by the emergence of the former military president, Muhammadu Buhari, as president and Prof. Osinbajo as his vice.
Now, here is how it got more interesting.
The duo that sent the man without shoes packing were handpicked by the master strategist, Asiwaju Tinubu.
According to a yet-to-be-disputed statement made by Tinubu, he came into Buhari’s life when the former president thought all hopes of ever leading this country were lost.
In fact, there was a video of Buhari crying on national television after he lost an election, swearing that he would never contest again before Jagaban touched him and told him it was time; it was his time.
Don’t take my word for it. Watch the video below:
@freelanews Asiwaju Tinubu states why he should be president #tiktokyoruba #goviral #fyp #naijapolitics #tiktoknaija ♬ original sound – Freelanews
As for Osinbajo, now President Tinubu had this to say to him. But before then, it is important to acknowledge that history wouldn’t be complete if the impact of Tinubu on Osinbajo’s political journey were overlooked.
Shortly after graduating from the University of Lagos and the London School of Economics, Osinbajo started teaching at the University of Lagos while practising law privately until 1999.
In the same year, then-Governor Tinubu of Lagos State appointed him Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
After serving during both of Tinubu’s four-year terms, Osinbajo left government in 2007 and returned to his private practice and lecturing along with his calling of being a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
When the time was right again, Tinubu pointed at him to run along with candidate Buhari back in 2015, and the rest, as they say, is history.
@freelanews Watch the historical speech of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu before election (Part 2) #foryou #trending #naijapolitics #tiktoknaija ♬ original sound – OtunbaVictor – Freelanews
So, Tinubu was not mincing words when he boldly declared that having led many who are now known as political gladiators from infancy into prominence, it was his turn to be the Nigerian president as seen in the video below.
@freelanews Watch the historical speech of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu before election (Part 6) #foryou #trending #naijapolitics #tiktoknaija ♬ original sound – OtunbaVictor – Freelanews
Till today, many are still wondering why Tinubu made those heavy statements during his declaration back then in Abeokuta. Because Jagaban, as he’s fondly called by his political admirers, didn’t only slam then-President Buhari and Osinbajo in the head, he poked his hands into Governor Abiodun’s eyes.
@freelanews Dapo Abiodun on BAT’s visit #tiktokyoruba #naijapolitics #fyp #goviral ♬ original sound – Freelanews
The tag of ‘Odale’ on the former vice president came to be immediately after the scathing messages by Tinubu, then a candidate.
But little did anyone know or remember that Tinubu was reacting to some statements credited to both Osinbajo and the Eleyi of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun.
Earlier, during his declaration, Prof. Osinbajo intentionally erased the fact that Tinubu was instrumental in his political advancement. He confirmed to his audience that he was nominated to be vice president but smartly avoided mentioning the name of his benefactor.
And instead of Abiodun keeping mute or being neutral as a politician, he goofed along with the former vice president and even converted a praise song into a political war song.
In fact, he wholly attributed his emergence as governor of the Gateway State to the then-vice president, despite the fact that the intricacies of how he emerged were known to the political players that Otunba Gbenga Daniel was the hand that removed his lamp from the shackles of Sen. Ibikunle Amosun.
So, it is not surprising to see some two ingrates competing in a race to see who could be more ridiculously treacherous.
@freelanews Did Osinbajo indeed betray Tinubu, or is it mere a political statement? I was pacing up and down the streets of the world’s most popular social media platform, X, and came across the name of the former vice president of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, trending. I edged closer only to see his name being associated with betrayal all over again. Shocked! I thought we were done with this after Osinbajo brutally lost the primary election to become the All Progressives Congress’ flagbearer in the 2023 elections to his one and only benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Anyway, for clarity, I decided to open the book of remembrance to put what really happened between the two illustrious sons of Yorubaland in better perspective for my readers. Prof. Osinbajo became known as ‘odale’ while Dapo Abiodun, the incumbent governor of Ogun State, won the ‘Eleyi’ award during the run-up to the presidential primary elections in 2022 when all political parties in Nigeria were busy shopping for candidates to represent them. #goviral #trending #foryou #fyi #fyp ♬ Ginger (Hype Yourself) – Voltage Of Hype
@freelanews Watch this #goviral #fyp #naijapolitics #tiktoknaija ♬ original sound – Freelanews
And despite all said and done against Tinubu’s ambition, ‘Omo Olodo Ide’ triumphed over all his enemies.
@freelanews Asiwaju Bola Tinubu declared winner and flag bearer of APC at the general election in 2023 #BAT2023 #tinubu2023 #election #fyp #goviral #tiktoknaija #naijapolitics ♬ Ajeni feni – King Dr. Saheed Osupa
Did you say thank you? Oh! You’re welcome.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
