By Segun Adeoye
“One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” — Plato, The Republic
In the early days of his first term as Governor of Lagos State around 2000, Bola Ahmed Tinubu found himself in a public spat with the Awolowo political dynasty. The dispute, seemingly trivial, revolved around symbolism—his adoption of the Gandhi-style glasses and fez cap associated with Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
A grandson of Awolowo, a Cambridge law professor, accused Tinubu of projecting himself as an Awoist without embodying the discipline, diligence, and moral virtues of the sage. Tinubu responded by affirming his admiration for Awolowo and citing longstanding family ties. Yet, in a sharp rebuttal, Chief Awolowo’s widow, HID Awolowo, distanced herself, remarking pointedly that she knew Abibatu Mogaji’s daughters—but not any son.
Beyond the drama, this episode revealed something deeper: Tinubu’s early and deliberate effort to build bridges into the formidable Awoist political bloc—the dominant ideological force in Yorubaland.
Shortly after, Tinubu demonstrated remarkable political dexterity by convening the first-ever Southern Governors’ Forum in Lagos. This was no small feat. As a governor from the minority Alliance for Democracy (AD), he successfully brought together governors—many from the ruling PDP—into a unified platform. It was a bold move that underscored his strategic reach and capacity for coalition-building. The forum endures today as a mechanism for regional dialogue and cooperation.
Tinubu’s political interventions also extended beyond party lines. When Rasheed Ladoja, then PDP governor of Oyo State, was ousted amid political machinations, Tinubu—an opposition figure—supported his legal battle to the Supreme Court, where Ladoja’s mandate was ultimately restored. It was a defining moment that reinforced Tinubu’s image as both strategist and political ally.
The 2003 elections saw the PDP sweep away most AD governors in the Southwest, yet Tinubu stood as the lone survivor. His ability to withstand that onslaught spoke volumes about his political foresight, alliances, and grassroots strength.
From these early years, Tinubu began constructing what would become a vast political network—meticulously, patiently, and strategically. His influence was not built on noise, but on structure; not on rhetoric, but on relationships.
Bridging Regions: Northern Alliances and Political IOUs
Tinubu’s political expansion was not confined to the Southwest. He understood early that national power required northern alliances, where voter numbers are decisive.
Political insiders have long suggested that Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar once explored a joint presidential ticket ahead of 2007, reflecting Tinubu’s willingness to forge cross-party, cross-regional partnerships. Although that plan never materialized, it signaled his long-term strategic thinking.
Following internal crises within both the PDP and the Yoruba political establishment, Tinubu and Atiku converged to form the Action Congress (AC). Though their presidential bids in 2007 and 2011—featuring Atiku and later Nuhu Ribadu—did not succeed, they laid critical groundwork for a broader opposition coalition.
That groundwork culminated in 2013, when Tinubu engineered one of Nigeria’s most consequential political mergers. Bringing together the ACN, CPC, ANPP, and factions of APGA, he helped create the All Progressives Congress (APC)—a formidable opposition platform.
The result was historic. In 2015, APC’s candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, defeated an incumbent president for the first time in Nigeria’s history. It was a political earthquake—and Tinubu was at its epicenter.
By 2023, Tinubu himself emerged as the APC’s presidential candidate, invoking the now-famous “Emilokan” mantra—a declaration rooted in years of political investment, alliances, and deferred ambitions.
The Politics of Strategy vs. Strategy of Politics
Tinubu’s rise reflects a fundamental principle: the politics of knowledge is superior to mere participation in politics. Over decades, he built networks, structures, and loyalties—brick by brick.
In contrast, today’s opposition continues to grapple with fragmentation and lack of cohesion. Rather than building enduring political institutions, they often rely on rhetoric and reactive positioning. The inability to consolidate party structures, maintain unity, or articulate a coherent alternative has weakened their effectiveness.
Politics, at its core, is about organization, vision, and disciplined execution. A political movement without structure is like a ship without a compass—adrift and directionless.
Tinubu’s enduring strength lies in his capacity to combine strategy with execution. He invested years in cultivating alliances, empowering protégés, and constructing a political “big tent” that continues to attract actors across the spectrum.
Today, that same method—incremental, deliberate, and strategic—is reflected in his approach to governance and economic reform. Like politics, nation-building is a process of careful construction, not instant transformation.
Conclusion
Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political journey offers a study in long-term strategy, resilience, and coalition-building. From early controversies to national leadership, his rise has been defined by methodical planning and an instinct for power dynamics.
Whether admired or criticized, one fact remains: his political architecture was not improvised—it was built, patiently and persistently, brick by brick.
