Temitope Ajayi
One thing APC as a party especially the Lagos branch has in abundance online and offline are members and supporters without personal convictions.
These are people who swing to wherever Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the genie of Lagos politics moves to. No personal introspection on just anything. They only take a cue from whatever the man says.
If tomorrow the man called off Mr. Sanwo-Olu Guber run and declares for Ambode, trust me, the same guys releasing venoms on Ambode online and offline will embrace him again with superlatives.
It is befuddling how Tinubu and his crowd are not mindful of the slippery slope they are undertaking as if there is mass hypnotism and no one can seem to see the possibility of a disastrous outcome. This voyage is selfish expedition. It is not about good governance no matter how this is masked.
Asiwaju is a leader of men. Which great leader takes joy in making and destroying same people he made. Only an evil genius?
This man is the biggest investor and beneficiary in his political structure that has vice grip on Lagos economic and political enterprise. If this structure collapsed because of his hubris he will also be the biggest loser. Why is he not seeing this. Why is he allowing himself to be led through a blind alley.
Everyone who had intervened on this Lagos APC saga and Ambode with Asiwaju Tinubu can’t be wrong. President Buhari had intervened he was spurned. Vice President Osinbajo came over the weekend to also urge caution he was ignored. Oba of Lagos and other leaders of thoughts have been begging for six months up till yesterday they can suck lemon. Kilode! E fe di Olorun ni.
They said they are Democrats and direct primary is it. Ambode despite the humiliation submitted himself to the direct primary process. Within 48 hours of activating his campaign structure, the so-called invincible Mandate Group realised Ambode can win a free and fair Guber Primary.
The next is he must withdraw from the race to allow Sanwo-Olu to emerge as consensus candidate for APC in Lagos otherwise he will be impeached. True democrats do not abridge the rights of other by subterfuge. What we have in Lagos APC oligarchs are predatory democrats.
Yesterday’s press conference was Ambode’s response to the intimidations and his readiness to participate in the primary election which the APC national headquarters has promised will be transparent.
Ambode can not do second term. Senator Ashafa must drop his third term bid to the Senate but Mrs. Remi Tinubu has a guaranteed 3rd term ticket to the Senate.
Then there is a Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) that should be a moral and moderating influence but it is now a Sanwo-Olu Advisory Council. Many party leaders and members are being blackmailed to support Sanwo-Olu against their wish. APC is losing her soul in Lagos to crass opportunism.
The gloves are off. Let those who championed direct primary allow it to happen without manipulation.
Those beating this drum must, however, not forget the eternal wisdom in the popular Yoruba saying of “ilu adun ju ma n ya ni.” When a drum is sounding at the highest decibel, it is about to pack up.
