The search for the “Crown Prince” that will take over the reign of Nigeria’s Presidency after President Muhammadu Buhari next year, may have put asunder, into the once flourishing romance, between former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – the Kingmaker, who now wants to become king, and his most trusted political godson, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The conflict of interest between the two illustrious sons of Yoruba origin became even more obvious, shortly after Osinbajo finally summoned the courage, to unmask his ambition for the highest and most powerful political office in the land.
Osinbajo’s wish, immediately sparked resentments against him in Tinubu’s camp of APC, provoking the Lion of Bourdillion to openly disown his once trusted political son.
To many of Asiwaju’s loyalists, Osinbajo crossed the line of cold-hearted betrayal, against the lifelong ambition of his political leader, on whose back he rode to become Nigeria’s Vice President in 2015.
Osinbajo seemed to have his plans well thought out.
Ahead of his declaration, the Star Boy of Buhari’s regime had moved his Polling Unit away from Lagos to his hometown in Ikenne, in Ogun State – cleverly anticipating the backlash of what was likely to follow his action, if he decided to remain inside Tinubu’s fortress in Lagos.
By the time the Lagos APC decided to slam its sledgehammer on Osinbajo, he had bolted miles away in Ogun State and was surrounded by his kith and kin.
Once united supporters of APC in the South West and the entire Yoruba political bloc, are now forced to take sides, in a murky game of politics, that was bound to take religious colouration, in an epic political battle royal, that pitches
Tinubu – a Southern Muslim, against Osinbajo, a Christian from the Southwest.
Tinubu has the structure of APC firmly in his grip in the Southwest, and that leaves Osinbajo, practically orphaned in his political zone.
Without any known political structure, the situation looks even more hopeless for Osinbajo to snatch APC’s Presidential ticket from Tinubu in the SW.
It is a promising rematch of the classic battle between David and Goliath, or bringing it closer home – a similar political conflict of interest, between Premiere of Old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his deputy, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, that sent the West boiling, barely two years after Nigeria gained independence in 1960.
The face-off of the two politicians of Yoruba extraction was one of the reasons that led to Nigeria’s first military coup in 1966.
Exactly sixty years after, the Southwest boils again- this time between Tinubu’s die-hards and Osinbajo’s apostles.
While Tinubu enjoys the upperhand in the South West – he seems to have easily conquered his political enclave, the battle between him and Osinbajo could assume a different texture if taken away from the Southwest and left in the hands of national delegates to decide.
The race could be more open, and maybe then, Osinbajo can stand a chance, especially, if he has the blessings of his principal – President Buhari, to give the presidency a shot.
It could be recalled that Buhari had in January admitted having a favourite to succeed him; sparking speculations in many quarters, that Osinbajo could be Buhari’s unspoken “anointed” candidate, with only one mission, to fence off the ambition, of his political benefactor!
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
