By Femi Adeniyi, Lagos 

For the Nigerian populace, the 2023 general elections is all about getting a candidate who fits their requirements to lead the nation, fixing and managing its numerous challenges, uniting its federating units.

However for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly known as the Jagaban of Borgu, his aspiration to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari is one which has no doubt come with its various challenges and complications.

For a truth, we must acknowledge the fact that the aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one which no doubt has generated a nation wide support across the 36 states of the federation.

His credibility for the position of the presidency is one which has never been questioned, his legacies and achievements over the years is one which has defined his trajectory into the nation’s political setting is one which has ranked him as one of the nation’s foremost political icon.

They say it is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that the Jagaban of Borgu, who has campaigned in more states than all the presidential aspirants in the APC is the man to beat. However, it’s obvious that certain figures have continued to deliberately place certain  obstacles on his way.

However as they would always say, uneasy is the path way that leads to success, Tinubu might be known and wildly respected for his political dexterity, sagacity and wits, one which popularly cemented his name and person as one of the most established and brilliant political icon of the modern day Nigeria, but then his aspiration has been met with so many turbulence.

The unending political orchestration of his political opponents is one which has continued to drive many narratives against him, many of which do not represent what his aspiration stands for or what his dream for a better Nigeria means.

Ordinarily, the political aspiration of politicians should be that of them and the electorate, however for Tinubu,it one which has placed him at loggerheads with certain individuals who feel that his aspiration or a presidency led by him would spell doom for him.

As a true gentleman that he is, he has continued to serve the Interest of the party and that of Nigerians, raising men of substance and value in the process. However we must also acknowledge the fact that he is also human hence a natural feature for him to raise his eyes brows when pushed to the wall.

The unwholesome orchestration of political marabout has seen them making an attempt to poison the minds of Nigerians against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Recent days has seen them use the utterances of Tinubu against him. The most recent is his statement in Abeokuta which has continued to generate various reactions from members of the public

These mischiefs all coming out to paint a picture of a man who is entitled and thinks that the presidency is his birth right.

Those who accuse the Jagaban of having a sense of entitlement, forget that he wasn’t talking to the country. He was addressing his party men (and women), reminding them of how much he has sacrificed for the party. He reminded them that but for his sacrifice, Buhari wouldn’t have achieved his ambition

As a human being, it is natural for Tinubu to expect the Presidency not to be antagonistic to his ambition, even if they would not support him

Thrice Buhari tried to be Nigeria’s President. Thrice he failed until Tinubu went to him and the rest, as they say, is history. 

But the mischief makers would conveniently forget the man’s role in the attainment and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

The mischief makers forget the roles which he has played for the sustenance of the Nation’s democratic processes and system

He formed the Acton Congress; he formed the Action Congress of Nigeria, to democratise the political party space and ensure the plurality of opinions in the country.

To demonstrate his selflessness, he gave the presidential ticket of the parties to northerners: first Atiku Abubakar and later, Nuhu Ribadu.

Thanks to the Jagaban, he retrieved through the courts the stolen mandates of Governors Segun Mimiko in Ondo State; Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti State; Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State and Rauf Aregbesola in Osun State.

He achieved this by flying into the country, one Adrian Forty, probably the world’s best forensic evidence expert. Of course, at his expense.

So, if the man says he has paid his dues and insists he deserves the presidential ticket of the party he helped form, is that asking for too much?

The mischief makers would always continue to their job, but then, whoever will eat the honey in a rock does not worry about the edge of the axe.

Tinubu has not proven his mettle in  the nation’s politics by running away, he understands what needs to be done and he has made his resolutions known never to step down until the job is done.