By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA – The Northern Alternative Forum, NAF, Thursday, extolled the virtues of All Progressives Congress, APC, national leader, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, describing him as an epitome of the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers. 
National Chairman of the Northern socio-political group, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim spoke at the 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, an annual high-powered policy roundtable to mark Tinubu’s 66th birthday anniversary at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island.
He said the Tinubu Colloquium, which focused on the theme, ‘Investing in People’, has rekindled hope in Nigerians that their leaders have their interest at heart.
According to Ibrahim, bringing together stakeholders, including policy makers, academics and members of the civil society groups to discuss the welfare of Nigerians is a clear indication that “the most respected Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom remains an unrepentant and indomitable senior advocate of the masses”.
Recalling that it was Tinubu who worked assiduously for the installation of the APC government, the national chairman of NAF noted that the strategic and effective manner in which Tinubu formed an Alliance across political, ethnic and economic divides makes him the father of modern day democracy in Nigeria.
Ibrahim said, “We members of the Northern Alternative Forum chose to celebrate the man, Tinubu, today because he is an epitome of the vision of our founding fathers for a united Nigeria.
“ You will agree with me that Tinubu is an embodiment of leadership at all levels- a brilliant accountant, a dogged and courageous activist, an excellent former governor and a distinguished Senator, whose prolific thinking brought Nigeria out of the political and economic mess the PDP created.
“66 years and still running, Asiwaju has printed his feet in the sand of history as a firm politician who fought for a prosperous and united Nigeria where respect for and the rights of the federating units are guaranteed”.
He further called on members of the APC to rally round the Tinubu- led peace and reconciliation committee in its bid to unite the party, the only way Tinubu can be successful in reconciling party members is when the APC governors and other party stakeholders cooperate with him.
