Tinubu’s Fair Weather Friends And Opportunists, By Tunde Imolehin

Politics in Nigeria can be very funny. A friend recently warned; Tunde, watch it, they will soon be the front liners. Tinubu’s traducers and APC destroyers will soon be the beneficiaries of the Tinubu Presidency.

In politics, there are no permanent enemies but permanent interests. In this clime, like probably many others, politics is bread and butter. Only an insignificant few are directly and indirectly in it to improve society. The majority are in the political space just to line their pockets without any value to add. I saw an advert in the media recently. It was a congratulatory message by friends of Asiwaju… his former classmates and colleagues. Trust the social media. They were dubbed fair weather friends because they did not openly support Asiwaju when it mattered most but can identify with him now that he is president-elect. A commentator even asked: Chai, where were these people when the world was battling Tinubu over his academic and employment records?

Move on to Buhari’s Federal Executive Council. During the battle for the party primaries many of his appointees capitalised on the President’s statement that “they should face their official assignments” by physically staying away from anything to do with the former Lagos State Governor and Senator. One of them, who once had a face-off at the National Assembly with his well-known supporter, could not openly campaign for him in the East, choosing to stay on the fence. It’s a well-known fact that in the run to APC primaries, many of his former associates queued behind one another, betraying and selling him out, all to make sure he did not clinch the party ticket not to talk of winning the Presidency. But for wisdom, political sagacity, pragmatism, and chutzpah plus the grace of GOD, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition would have been a wasted exercise. A stillborn. Many had to wait for the night of the primaries to “smartly and cleverly” drop their ambitions for the man that would be king.

But now that it’s almost certain that May 29 is sacrosanct and that Tinubu will be the man to succeed Buhari, many knives are already procured by some elements who never originally believed in Tinubu, to cut the cake they never partook in baking. They are nothing but fair weather friends. They are simply opportunists. I even read that a former Kano state governor now wants to hand over his structure to APC. Why didn’t he do that before the general elections?

Opportunism is part of life. In Nigerian, politics is not subject to any ideology. “When an opportunist sees a world going to the dogs, he starts selling dog food.” That has been our way, leading to why many politicians lack respect and integrity and, by extension, lack people’s confidence and trust in the work of their hands.

“There is something wrong with your character if opportunity controls your loyalty.” If the desire to serve is not controlled by passion, principle, and character, there will be trouble. This is often why we fail from the onset. It is a known fact that one of the reasons the change government of President Buhari suffered initial derailment, which later affected its overall performance, was the alienation of the original brains behind the change project. For selfish reasons, many, particularly those who did not deserve it found their way into coveted offices and started advancing their personal and ulterior agenda that were inimical and perilous to what we promised the people in 2015.

“When building something that requires strong foundations, stay clear of opportunists.” That should be the best advice for the government of Bola Tinubu as he prepares to mount the saddle come May 29. Like I said in my 10 point Advisory to him – 10 points for the President-elect before May 29 – merit and competence are key but appropriate reward for real believers in the course and cause is key. Under the outgoing government, many pegs were put in the wrong holes. The party’ reward mentality was very poor. There were many appointees with no genuine intention and loyalty to party philosophy and governance. We hired many who did not believe or had any inkling to what we wanted to offer to move the nation forward. That error must never be repeated by Tinubu. Don’t get me wrong, please. There are many who are patriotic but non-partisan that deserve a place in the Tinubu government. Equally, there are so many -old and young, who are very competent and patriotic, who sacrificed all they have to see that Bola Tinubu emerged as president. They deserve the offer of first refusal in Tinubu/Shettima’s government, particularly the first 60 days in office.

Happy birthday to my dear son, Gbekeloluwa, and Dele Fulani – my dear brother and friend. May both of you never experience sorrow in your lives, Amen.

Tunde IMOLEHIN wrote in from IPELE, OWO, ONDO State. www.tundeimolehin.com. 23042023.