By Ikeddy ISIGUZO

AREMO Olusegun Osoba’s segue from journalism to politics was not the first such transition for a journalist. Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, first civilian Governor of Lagos State holds that honour.

He executed it with distinction between 1979-83. Nobody in his league came close and the likes of Aremo Osoba knew these things.

Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo (1927-1990) was a prominent Nigerian journalist and the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, 1979-1983. He is celebrated for his progressive leadership. His "Aiyekooto" (Parrot) column in the Daily Service and Daily Express, was well received for his ability to tell the truth without fear. He kept writing until continued his death on 14 April 1990.

If Chief Onabanjo were alive, what would he say about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who delights in playing the victim in his relationship with Nigerians.

With illustrious and illustrated personalities like these, former professionals who made our people proud of journalism, Aremo Osoba is aligning with Tinubu in bemoaning his plight with Nigeria. Aremo became Governor of Ogun State 10 years after Chief Onabanjo did.

Lai Olurode, a Professor of Sociology, at the University of Lagos said this in his tributes to Jakande who passed in 2021.

“With the demise of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande alias Baba Kekere, the Nigerian poor have lost a spokesman who thinks nothing but how to mitigate the devastating consequences of poverty including its sorrows, tears and blood.

“In many respects, Jakande was an exceptional public administrator, who throughout life, shunned ostentatious living. In and out of office, he avoided crass materialism and greed, which remain pastime of leaders at all levels of public life.”

Olurode noted that one area where Jakande was an exceptional leader was in documentation, stating he was a man of record.

“A perusal through The Trial of Obafemi Awolowo, which was written by LKJ and which was published in 1966 showed a very painstakingly and well-researched book on the popular treasonable felony trial. When it is recalled that in that trial, Jakande himself was the 13th accused, then we would realise his professionalism as a journalist of depth.

“If Baba Kekere had any weakness, I can only remember he had no time for crass materialism and opulence.

“In the governance of Lagos State, I make bold to say that before him, no leader traversed that space as he did, and looking at his credentials, it is doubtful If anyone would be able to match Jakande’s action for years. Jakande was governance personified.”

Aremo Osoba sees anyone who is opposed to Tinubu is ganging up against Tinubu who has spent most of his life inflicting pains on Nigerians.

The enemies are many,” Osoba said of Tinubu. For Aremo, all presidential candidates – Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former President Goodluck Jonathan, were all part of attempts to divide Southern votes.

Aremo Osoba knows a Tinubu who is strange to Nigeria.

Tinubu – who nobody knows, who it is doubtful if he knows or remembers who he is – accuses us, through Aremo, that we are ganging up against him.

What does Aremo think about Nigerians under Tinubu? What would Aremo say about the bogus claims Tinubu makes on how he developed Lagos?

Did Tinubu develop Lagos in his eight years? All he did in eight years, and thereafter with his hand-picked successors was to destroy Lagos, delayed the development of Lagos, shrank opportunities, centralised powers and proudly referred to himself as Lagos.

Tinubu has Raji Fashola to thank for saving Lagos from a collapse that Tinubu imposed in Lagos by destroying the important projects that Jakande erected.

When Tinubu dredged up Muhammadu Buhari, burnished him to be President, wasn’t he ganging-up up against Nigerians? Aremo Osoba approved.

Tinubu drained Nigeria through eight years of Buhari marked for abhorrence of law and order, insecurity, and celebrated disrespect for Nigerians and our country. Tinubu and Buhari ganged-up against Nigeria. It was nothing, it was good as APC loud voices extol the nothingness that both have dazzled before Nigerians.

What would Tinubu say he has done for Nigerians whose lives he does not protect? Nobody is spared – women, children, the elderly, and men who are made to watch as their families are decapitated before their own death. Tinubu does nothing. He no longer promises that The kidnapped will be rescued.

Is that not worse than a gang-up? Which gang-up against Nigeria can match what APC is doing under Tinubu – nothing for the good of Nigerians.

Aremo Osoba is canvassing for another term for Tinubu. In typical APC fashion, he sees us as Tinubu’s enemies, the problems, those disturbing Tinubu for delivering the Nigeria of his dreams.

“I speak to you not only as your President but also as a fellow citizen who understands the sacrifices many families have made in recent years and shares your hopes for a better Nigeria,” he repeated these hollow words on the third anniversary of his administration. Tinubu does not feel anything, he cannot understand our feelings, his interest is on the 2027 election with fears that his poor performance will speak for him.

Away from propaganda and sophistry, what has Tinubu done for Nigerians? Whatever the answers, huge profits that companies declare, a booming Stock Exchange, claims of roads built, promoted electricity statistics have all worsened the lives of Nigerians

The claims are not real.

If Tinubu had done his work well, he would not need Aremo Osoba to accuse us of ganging-up against him.

Tinubu has for years ganged-up against us. The least we can do is gang-up against him and vote him out of office.

Finally…

HIS Excellency, Honourable Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has ordered hotels and event centres in FCT not to rent their facilities to factions of political parties. Should we take this a court order, considering that Wike is a lawyer, and his wife is a Justice of the Court of Appeal. Who will the affected parties appeal to? Wike continues being dangerous.

•ISIGUZ0 is a major commentator on minor issues.

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