Yemi Osinbajo, Another "Tunde Idiagbon" For PMB

Hussain Obaro


Editor’s note: “Tunde Idiagbonwas was Buhari’s backbone and the pushing force. Buhari never made any decision without Idiagbon’s approval,” claims Hussain Obaro, Naij.com constant guest author. In another contribution to the platform, Mr Obaro explains why it is so important that Yemi Osinbajo assumes Tunde Idiagbonwas’s role as soon as possible.


It’s no longer news that the main reasons Nigerians voted en masse for Muhammadu Buhari in the last presidential election were his firm stand towards corruption and no-nonsense disposition to all forms of indiscipline and administrative recklessness. Analysts have, however, opined that it was the late Major General Tunde Idiagbon who stood behind the war against corruption and indiscipline that Buhari had been given credit for. He was Buhari’s backbone and the pushing force. Buhari never made any decision without Idiagbon’s approval. The description of President Buhari as a lame duck with a sound assistant during the military regime was proved right by the events that unfolded after the inauguration of the present APC-led administration.
A clear evidence that General Tunde Idiagbon was the real head of state is what is currently happening in our national polity. Just like former president Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari seems overwhelmed and confused by Nigerians’ problems. It is now over a month since President Buhari was sworn in, and nothing has happened. Governance has virtually been brought to halt. No key decisions or major appointments have been made. I wonder how President Buhari intends to fight the “wars” without a cabinet of ministers who are supposed to be his foot soldiers directly implementing his policies and programs?
READ ALSO: Three Weeks Have Passed, Any Ministerial Appointments, Mr President?
 


The fact that President Buhari may have no idea of what governance is all about and how to be a responsive leader is evident as far as he has refused to assume responsibility for the APC. It has resulted into a breakdown of law and order in the National Assembly causing huge embarrassment to the country in the eyes of the international community. The plans of a self-serving cabal in the APC to install their cronies as leaders of the National Assembly, even against the existing laws and the Constitution, are already sending wrong signals to Nigerians and the friends of Nigeria.
The much quoted and celebrated phrase from the president’s inaugural speech “I belong to everyone, and I belong to no one” turned out to be a mere political statement not to be taken seriously. Buhari is still being tossed around and forced to align with the decisions of the cabal in the APC. Obviously, governance is already grounded, because Buhari doesn’t yet have an “Idiagbon” to guide him. Muhammadu Buhari has failed to realize that to be president is to take full responsibility of everything including the party, especially now when some of the APC leaders are portraying themselves as a bunch of power-drunk, self-serving and autocratic cabal. The president should have prevented this mess from the beginning by assuming leadership in the party and personally ensuring the party discipline by accommodating diverse opinions, pacifying diverse interests and giving all sides a sense of belonging. These would have botched the activities of the cabal that has hijacked the party and currently make orders from their Lagos abode.
The time is ripe for the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, to break from the grip of this APC cabal and step out of the political shade. The onus now rests on him to act fast in order to salvage the APC administration from collapse. Prof Yemi Osinbajo needs to become a “Tunde Idiagbon” who will always guide the president and Nigerians to the Promised Land. There is the need for the vice president to genuinely belong to everyone and belong to no one as his expertise in law, science and clergy is highly needed to bring this government back on track and ensure that change is delivered to Nigerians.
Yemi Osinbajo, Another "Tunde Idiagbon" For PMB
Hussain Obaro for Naij.com

Hussain Obaro is a writer motivational speaker and public affairs commentator from Ilorin, Kwara state.