Etim Etim
The defeat of APC in the Osun State governorship election yesterday is, in a way, a rejection of the politics of Bola Ahmed Tinubu by people of Osun State. It is also a repudiation of Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket and it may just be the harbinger of what to expect in February.
Many Nigerians have spoken against the arrogance of Bola Tinubu in selecting another Muslim as his running mate in utter disregard to our diversity and apparent insult to the Christian community. I have written pages of articles, even before the presidential primary, denouncing such all-Muslim ticket.
The huge margin of defeat of APC yesterday (PDP 403,371; APC 375,027) is therefore a strong message of protest and indignation from the huge Christian community in the state to Tinubu and the APC. My projection is that APC faces the risk of defeat in the polls in 2023 because of its haughtiness, parochialism and closed-mindedness. Many Christians in the country are against the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, and even among some Muslim communities in the North, there are many voters who believe that Tinubu’s choice is damn too insensitive. As I write, virtually every top leadership position in the party and the Buhari administration is occupied by a Muslim male. It is a recipe for disaster.
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Another reason for the APC defeat in Osun, which may play out in the in the general election, is the adamancy of Osun people in rejecting the Tinubu dynasty which he had firmly planted in Lagos. Everything in Lagos State belongs to Bola Tinubu. You cannot hold any position in government without his expressed approval. Be reminded that Gov. Oyetola is his cousin who was foisted on Osun people four years ago despite protestations from the citizens. After four years, Oyetola has not impressed the people. When Minister of Interior and past governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola complained of Oyetola’s high-handedness and pushed his replacement early this year, Tinubu bared his fangs, pumped in money and ensured that Oyetola was renominated. Expectedly, Aregbesola and his supporters stayed away yesterday. Some even voted for Senator Ademola Adeleke, the PDP candidate. This scene may be replayed on 25th February. APC supporters who resent the all-Muslim ticket and are suspicious of Tinubu’s love for the treasury and bullion vans, may vote for another party.
Etim Etim
ETIM ETIM is a journalist, banker and author. He has been a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, a Regional Manager in Access Bank and is currently a Columnist in Prime Business Africa, The Cable and Businessday newspapers.
He is also the Chief Executive of Stein Meyer Communications, a major media consultancy and the author of the best-selling book, "Akwa Ibom Heroes: Inside Story of the Fight for Abrogation of Onshore-Offshore Oil Dichotomy" and co-author of another book, "Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader".
