Dear Jagaban,
Happy birthday sir.
I have always wanted to wish you a happy birthday every year but exigencies has prevented that but the present has allowed for this special birthday letter.
You have proven to be the Jagaban of Nigerian politics …an enigma …… your are a Quintessential politician who has produced some of the finest politicians ever in Nigerian political landscape.
You have done well politically and your sagacity is not questionable. Your style of engaging political issues is obviously the best so far. You know when to strike or refrain.
Many have attested to your generosity and forgiven spirit and this is evident as several of your boys have betrayed you and returned but yet you forgive and accept them.
Your house on Bourdillon road, Ikoyi, is now a known mecca of sort. This is simply because of your generosity and open door policy.
At 68, God has been kind to you immensely, you have been a senator, a Governor and the unofficial national leader of the ruling party. You have produced a Vice President, Governors, Speaker, SGF, several cabinet ministers, senators, HOR and several other political office holders.
No politician outside office has wielded this level of power. Not even Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory, who couldn’t get to the centre of Nigerian politics. This you achieved in your lifetime.
Unlike Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who built institutions, in your case you built individuals which any how we access it both scenarios have their benefits to society. If you remember Awolowo, your will point to Cocoa House Ibadan, WNTV, and free education in western Nigeria, which led to the production of some of the most educated Nigerians. You can point to University of Ife now OAU, or the proximity of schools to every home in western Nigeria. The achievements of Chief Awolowo are limitless and I am a beneficiary of his landmark achievements.
As you celebrate 68 today, you are two years away from diamond 70 and by 2023 you will be 71 ….. you have advised we don’t discuss 2023 yet. However as you approach that diamond year, I will expect you will start the countdown of sober reflections in your quiet time.
I agree with you that we should face governance and forget 2023. But more and more your supporters have started heating up the polity with posters of your presidential ambition and rumours have it that you are behind it and testing the waters. All I can say is to wish you the best as it is your right to aspire but whether Nigerians will accept you is in the hands of Nigerians.
However, as you celebrate today, I pray for good health for you but you must remember that the world is going through its most challenging HEALTH ISSUE and Nigeria is no exception of the coronavirus PANDEMIC and we need more than your ORDINARY LETTER.
The crux of this letter is that Nigerians expect you to support this PANDEMIC with a huge FINANCIAL DONATION.
Your fellow billionaires have been donating to fight this PANDEMIC. Recall you said you were probably richer than Osun State and didn’t need their money.
I also remember how some bullion vans entered your home at Bourdillon road, and naysayers were complaining about the bullion vans but you reminded them that a man can convey HIS MONEY anyhow he so desires. I agree with you sir. Moreover, no law enforcement agency has invited you to explain, so invariably it’s your money. Please show the country some love as usual.
So sir, a few billions from you to this fight won’t be a bad idea.
My regards to the family and especially your wife, Pastor Oluremi Tinubu.
Happy birthday and best wishes
Fidelis Duker
Calabar
29/3/2020
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