Tinubu And EndSARS Debacle

OTUNBA FEMI PEDRO

I am reluctant to insert myself in this debate on Tinubu because I am an interested party. However, I wish to correct some widely circulating falsehoods. First, many of the assets linked with him actually don’t belong to him.

I know this for a fact. Second, it is not correct that the state belongs to him whether politically or economically. The state is too big for one person to control wholly. Political power is widely decentralized. I know this for a fact.

Thirdly Tinubu has been a great asset to we Lagosians and SW in general. In 60 years of nationhood he is the only leader who has brought us close to Federal power and empower us to participate in governance at the federal level.

Fourth I was his Deputy at a most challenging period and despite this, we brought significant changes to Lagos. Pls rewind back to the sorry state of dirty, infested and slum Lagos prior to 1999. It was our govt that opened up Lekki, built new areas, new roads and bridges, security infrastructure, education etc.

Fifth, thanks to him politics of succession has been more positive for Lagos than other parts of the country. I was part of this and though I lost out, battled with him and we reconciled. I still give him credit for the way he’s handled succession.

Let me admit that he’s no saint and might have done things that might be viewed as unethical but as close to him as I am I have great respect for him.

It’s obvious to me that hatred of him by some people is borne out of frustration and envy, while some people genuinely feel it is immoral, and unethical for one person to wield so much power in determining who gets what in the politics of Lagos.

I advice such people to use the information at their disposal to fight him at the ballot box rather than hide under the guise of protest to unleash mayhem on his perceived properties.

Otunba Femi Pedro is a former deputy governor to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Lagos governor