All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday, attributed the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the last presidential election to a commonsense revolution anchored on a rebellion against the excesses of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)

He spoke at a book launch in Lagos where Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka extolled him, and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as the drivers of the uprising, which he said, was fast-tracked by President Jonathan’s mishandling of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF crisis.

The public presentation of the book “Dynamics of Change: The Amaechi Years”, was witnessed by a cross section of the political class and civil society including governors, former governors, senators among others.

Tinubu, who was guest of honour at the presentation of the book, written by Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and Dr. Chidi Amuta, in his comments, described Amaechi as an example of common sense revolution.

“In the course of the historic campaigns for the 2015 Presidential Election, I was emphatic that the election itself was a great opportunity to popularise and test the noble idea of a Common Sense Revolution in Nigeria. Soon enough, we found in the resonance of the APC Change mantra with the electorate a confirmation that Nigeria needed a Common Sense Revolution that is non-violent.

“Indeed there is a publication with that title authored by me in which I argued that Nigeria was ripe for a change of leadership and Nigerians must act in a Common Sense and rational way in choosing their leaders. The results of the March Presidential elections and that of April have demonstrated clearly the desire by Nigerians for change,” he said.

Tinubu, however, urged the new crop of leaders to embark on policies that would alleviate the plight of Nigerians.

He said: “Elections over, both the leaders and citizens must brace up to meet the challenges required to build a better, more prosperous nation. Indeed, even as we subscribe to the tenets of Common Sense Revolution, we must retool ourselves, the new leadership must embark on policies that will improve the general well-being of the mass of our people.

“It is a positive one to rescue, repair and restructure the nation and its institutions in ways that further collective prosperity and well-being. The only violence that is to be done is to violence, injustice and poverty themselves. At its essence, a common sense revolution is a call to return to a level of decency in the relationship between government and the governed, between each one of us and his neighbour.

“In my view, our gathering to celebrate the landmark achievements of my brother, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in Rivers State in the last eight years is also another justifiable celebration of idea of Common Sense Revolution for development. The publication of the book, Dynamics of Change: The Amaechi Years is a timely service to history.”

Dignitaries who graced the occasion include: Governor Governor Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Governor Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; Chief John Oyegun-APC National Chairman; Chief Bisi Akande, Engineer Segun Oni, Dr Kayode Fayemi—former governor of Ekiti State; Otunba Niyi Adebayo— former governor of Ekiti State;

Others include: Business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Jim Ovia—former CEO of Zenith Bank; Akinwumi Ambode—Lagos State governor-elect; Mallam Nasir El-Rufai-Kaduna State governor-elect; Mr Samuel Nanlong—Plateau State governor-elect; Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers; Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Daisy Danjuma and Alabo Graham Douglas.

*Adapted from Vanguard. Photo shows Tinubu

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