Face To Face With Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

AZUH ARINZE 

As Nigeria’s President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrates his 72nd birthday today, permit me to share our FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTER in commemoration of that. The story is actually culled from one of my new books entitled MY STORY OF MANY COLOURS. Enjoy…

The invitation, and subsequent meeting, was the last thing on my mind. As a matter of fact, I was craving and looking forward to the comfort of my bed that Friday, October 28, 2022, having been away for days in Abeokuta, Ogun State where I was doing Rotary work.

My SUV was cruising on the long bridge that links Ogun and Lagos, very close to Berger, when the call came in. It was from one man I have come to respect and admire so much in the journalism profession–Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo of Freedomonline. Not known for beating around the bush, he went straight to the point: “Asiwaju wants to meet us by 6 p.m. at Oriental Hotel.” Without giving me the opportunity to say anything, he terminated the call.

Instantly, I had to change my plans. First, I had to drop off a brother Rotarian with me, AG Valentine Shomoye and sister, PP Ronke Jones-Adewale at a convenient location. Then, our media officer, Elizabeth Edozie and photographer, Gideon Siwoku.

Of course, I needed to change what I was wearing. Thank God I still had my luggage in the boot. Done with that, I took off to Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

Arriving about 45 minutes earlier, I watched as other senior journalists sauntered in one after the other, and sometimes in twos and threes. Eventually we all moved upstairs and settled in one of the meeting rooms. Jokes, banters, pleasantries dominated the atmosphere until the man at whose instance we all converged arrived.

Wearing a flowing buba and sokoto, with his unmistakable pair of glasses and trademark cap, he first moved round the room shaking hands with everyone.

Sorted, he crossed over to the ‘high table’ which Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, Tunji Bello, Babatunde Ogala, SAN, Femi Fani-Kayode had already ‘encircled’. Shooting from the hips, he remarked that he was here to rekindle his age-long relationship with the senior journalists and of course, to brief them about his presidential ambition. He asked that we all eat, drink, ‘gist’ and enjoy ourselves.

Suggestions were made here and there. Pieces of advice were also duly given. Then, I raised my hand to ask a few questions, which he gladly obliged.

No. 1: What is the biggest mistake that any politician can make? Without thinking about it too much, he quipped: “Allowing your opponent to defeat you…”

On why he constantly forgives those that offend him, notwithstanding the gravity of their offence and betrayal, he said: “Even Allah forgives us!”

On his knack for identifying quality talents, he gave the credit to God.

Asked to comment on the crises ravaging the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, especially Governor Nyesom Wike’s intransigence, the former governor of Lagos and erstwhile senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria seriously joked that he was enjoying it. “It should not be resolved o!” He added, and laughter immediately enveloped the whole room.

Undoubtedly Nigeria’s most tactical, methodical and strategic politician, Tinubu exemplifies the power of positive thinking and prior proper planning, like my former boss and mentor, Mr. Kunle Bakare, used to say. Those who paid scant attention to his confession of “Emilokan”, which means it’s my turn, on June 2, 2022, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, now know better. A long distance runner, the man whose followers enjoy hailing as either Jagaban or Asiwaju, has always had his eyes on the No. 1 seat, like he admitted. And little by little, stealth by stealth, inch by inch, he now occupies it.

Starting with the masterstroke of an alliance that led to the ousting of PDP, the party that had boasted then that they will rule Nigeria for 60 years; neutralizing all his political challengers and opponents this time, as well as surmounting all the roadblocks that were deliberately and otherwise mounted on his path, sure call for a closer study.

In conclusion…

Well, I want to suggest that you order your copy by simply calling 08112661610.

Back to the celebrant, I say Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

– Azuh Arinze is Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine and author of bestselling books like The CEO’s Bible 1&2, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, A Taste Of Success, etc