ASIWAJU BAT: The legend that I know who can transform Nigeria

ASIWAJU BAT: The legend that I know who can transform Nigeria. 

By: Paul Jide Peters 

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the few gifted and most tactical 

political strategists that ever lived in Nigerian soil He has fought many 

political wars in Nigeria and won not a few. He had a vision of a new Lagos, 

created it and recruited a team of believers for the vision. Hence, today he 

is acknowledged as the father and the pioneer of the modern 'Lagos Mega 

City' Transformation Project. 

I met Asiwaju with stroke of chance, that's during the MKO Abiola Prodemocracy days. That was years before he became the Governor of Lagos 

State. And ever since, I had studied him with rapt attention. Over a decade 

after meeting him, we invited him to deliver the keynote speech at the 

ANNUAL LEAD LECTURE, which he enthusiastically agreed to just about 

two years after he left office as Governor of Lagos State; while the event 

was approaching the date of the event was shifted by twenty one days; we 

sent him our regret for the inevitable shift bearing in mind that the new 

date was not visible in his schedule. To my amazement, he called me few 

days before the event that though he was outside the Country then, he 

would honor the event. And he did. This made me appreciate him so dearly 

for his sense of humility and I was so intrigued by that singular act. He is 

humble per excellence. 

If a legend is someone who leaves behind an unforgettable impression, 

Asiwaju can conveniently be classed as the living legend of our time. 

Sincerely, on that, he has embossed his foot in the sand of time and has 

bequeathed legacies that future leaders and politicians can build on. A 

legend fundamentally changes some aspects in a society and leaves an 

unmistakable impression in the society. This is what Asiwaju's achieved by championing the call and put pressure on Late Sani Abacha to hand over 

power to the winner of June 12, 1993 elections; Bashorun M.K.O Abiola. 

Asiwaju's act and bravery can be likened to the ordeal of Nelson Mandela 

who fought against apartheid in South Africa. While their separate actions 

and agitations led to different end. It could be agreed that both legends 

share an exemplary destiny or fate. While Asiwaju agitation led him to 

exile, the struggle of Nelson Mandela against apartheid regime led to his 

incarceration in prison. 

However, both legends eventually returned triumphantly to be enthronedNelson Mandela moved from Prison to becoming the first democratically 

elected President of South Africa, while Asiwaju returned from exile as the 

first post-military era democratically elected Governor of Africa 's most 

populous city, Lagos state.

One of the key factors that distinguished legends is the ability to discover, 

nurture, and build leaders in line with their vision. On grooming leaders, 

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the only living soul in Nigeria with the largest and 

prestigious records of nurturing future leaders. As fishers of men, he grew 

people who are now occupying sensitive positions in governments, and 

federal executive and legislative positions in Nigeria. From his political 

lineage emerged such individuals as Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister for 

Information, Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, Ben Akabueze, 

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister for Interior, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola 

(SAN), Federal Minister of Works and Housing, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice 

President of Nigeria, Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of House of 

Representatives, Mr. Sunday Dare... the lists are endless. 

Another score of his legendry was seen in his major role in APC winning the 

2015 Nigeria Election. Upon the realization of the daunting task

confronting the opposition unseating the PDP, Tinubu rallied all 

oppositions, galvanized key elements into a very tortuous coalition talk, 

which paid off when the APC rescued the power from the ruling party. In 

fact, he was the arrow head of the struggle as he spearheaded the defeat of 

the ruling party PDP. This is to the chagrin of many dauntless that believed 

that PDP will rule for the next 60years. He achieved the impossible. 

His political doggedness saw to the rebuilding of the progressive 

movement in the southwest and it dawned on many that the Yoruba race 

has unearthed a true legend they needed since Obafemi Awolowo. He 

ensured the southwest remained relevant in all political permutations at 

the federal level. This culture of sacrifice, humility, loyalty, compromise for 

common good and selflessness is why Asiwaju Tinubu has remained not 

just relevant but pivotal to Nigeria's democracy. 

Consequently, that Bola Ahmed Tinubu Is regarded as a legend, might not 

be that he is infallible, but venturing into unchartered territory, breaking 

the stigma and pushing beyond the frontiers of the mundane, accord him 

the status of a legend who can transform Nigeria if given a chance as the 

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Paul Jide Peters is a media strategist and business consultant. He is the Editor-In-Chief of LEAD Africa.

To reach him email: pauljidepeters@gmail.com