THE TRUTH THESE PROGRESSIVES NEVER TOLD MUHAMMADU BUHARI. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh

  I'm still wondering which bank gave N27.5m loan to a 72 years old man to invest in politics? Ok let's assume it's not a lie (which glaringly it is) how does he intend paying N27.5m plus interest in the unlikely case he becomes president if not through tax payers' money?
By implication, Buhari has stated in clear terms that he will offset his many debts from our commonwealth. Should we begin to expect this from someone the 'progressives' say would drive away corruption?
    These are the questions I expected these desperate armies of boll weevils and termites called APC to have considered and asked Buhari before allowing him to be their candidate.
   There are two categories of Nigerians that want Buhari: the Northern oligarchy hiding under religion and zoning to actualize their aims and the unsuspecting youths who don't realize this old man is using part of their time. It's more like they have concluded they may never be relevant in governance or that they don't believe in themselves. They have refused to accept the stark reality that Buhari has served his time already and he's using part of theirs.
    What new vision does Buhari have? When will these men with greedy minds but weak bodies hand over the batons of leadership to the youths? When Buhari was Head of State, President Barack Obama was probably in high school. Americans have since stopped talking of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, yet we keep worshiping and re-cycling these old men and expect Nigeria to be like America!
   Meanwhile, Buhari's generation was a very privileged one indeed and he achieved everything possible in term of wealth and government power. In 1975 at the age of 33, he was appointed the Military Governor of the North-Eastern State, present day Borno & Yobe states. In 1976 at the age of 34 he became the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources. In 1978 at the age of 36 he was appointed the Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). In 1983 at the age of 41, he became the Head of State. Most Nigerians at that age have not had the opportunity to serve. Today the reverse is the case. Most Nigerians at age of 35 are still unemployed and still living with parents. Many are still not married. One major reason for this unfortunate turn of events is that many elders like Buhari have refused to voluntarily hand over the baton to the next generation. This is the fact many youths clamouring for Buhari never realised.
    I quite agree with Professor Wole Soyinka who pointed out that some Nigerians love to point to Buhari’s past agenda of discipline as the shining jewel in his scrap-iron crown. But to inculcate discipline however, one must lead by example, obeying laws set down as guides to public probity. Example speaks louder than declarations, and rulers cannot exempt themselves from the disciplinary structures imposed on the overall polity.
    The case of selective punishment for drug pushers under Buhari's regime is still fresh in our memories. What about Nduka Irabor, Tunde Thompson and other journalists that Buhari jailed unlawfully. Tai Solarin was sent to jail by same Buhari for publicly opposing him; Fela Kuti was jailed by Buhari and parents and friends of Barth Owoh, Ojuolape and others wept when they were sent to their early graves. Come to think of it, is any coup plotter justified to rule Nigeria, especially the one that truncated our hard-earned democracy at all?
      I believe, as a former Head of State, Buhari is automatically a member of the Council of State. He has every avenue to channel his views across on how to move Nigeria forward. He doesn't necessarily have to be in a frontline role, he can serve in an advisory capacity.
He should go sit down and allow agile youths take charge.

SAINT OLAWALE JIMOH IN PICTURES

 

 

 

 

Endorsements

 

Saint-Olawale Jimoh after a successful public engagement..

 

With 'OGD Apostles', a team of committed and core ogdists. With the grand patron of the OGD political family, Otunba Gbenga Daniel at the centre. 

 

 

With Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the immediate past Governor of Ogun Sate and Com. Diran Olatokunbo

 

                                 Rocking it with Ijebu Descendants Association of Minnesota

 

 

With Adekoya Boladale of Sahara Reporters, a journalist, media entrepreneur and political analyst

 

With colleagues at The Political Academy, a privately established platform for training young leaders and political aspirants

 

     At The Political Academy with Hon. Ogunkoya, Hon. Matthew Ogunjobi, John Ogunlere and Hon. Femi Sokeye

 

With Nafiu Abimbola Olawale, Dejie Rowland, Hon. Matthew Ogunjobi and Hon. Centro at Asoludero Hall, Sagamu, Ogun State.

                               

 With Nigerian star actress, Dayo Amusa
 

                                At Ogun State Political Stakeholders' Conference in Sagamu.

With Miss Nigeria

 

With former Ogun State Commisioner of finance, Mr Kehinde Shogunle

 

                                                          Still at The Political Academy

 

With Mr Kayode Ajala, the publisher of Hints Magazine

 

With Comrade Ifekayode Akinbode, former SA to Gov. Gbenga Daniel

 

With Sf Ojo Emmanuel Adediran, an award-winning blogger political analyst

 

                 At an enlarged gathering of young Ogun Political Stakeholders and core Ogdists

 

Ojude Oba 2014 playground

 

With Hon. Deacon Kenny Awolade

 

With Mr Sina Kawonise (SK), the foremost governorship aspirant of Yes Party for Ogun State, Nigeria 

 

 With Comrade Taiwo Solanke of Teemoney Publicity and Comrade Bukonla Okubanjo

 

 Self while receiving a certificate at the Political Academy

 

At the launching of Association for Greater Ogun State (AGOS) with Comrade Segun Okeowo Kayode and Mr Segun Okeowo Kolade 

 

 With Mr Avner Mnamchi, the former MD of Sparkwest International

 

At a political event with Mr Akinbayo Oshuntoye, a Canadian-based lawyer, certified private investigator and Counter Intelligence Specialist (CIS)

 

In a group photograph with Mr Sina Kawonise (the governorship candidate of LP for Ogun State, Nigeria) shortly after his trip from China.

At Lagos Airport Hotel Ikeja, Lagos for the launching of "Across Decades", a book written by Sina Kawonise, the current governorship candidate of SDP in Ogun State

With Mustapha Musa Dapo (MMD), the DG of Hon. Ladi Adebutu Kessington's Campaign Organisation at Lagos Airport Hotel Ikeja, Lagos for the launching of "Across Decades", a book written by Sina Kawonise,

 

 

Myself and old classmate, Comrade AfrikaWee Tunde former SA to Governor Gbenga Daniel

 

Myself and Colonel MKO Awokoya, a former Deputy Rector of the prestigious Gateway Petro-Gas Institute, Oni, Nigeria.

 

Myself and Adenuga Don Mayor

 

  Alone outside the Political Academy

 

 Alone at 2014 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode

 

      Alone outside The Political Academy, Ogun State

OGD'S DEFECTION TO PDP: BETWEEN REALITIES AND SENTIMENTS. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh

      Things are changing and we can't afford to be adamant. Politics is such an interesting game and Nigeria's own is much sweeter, only that it's not for dullard and learners!
      Ever since the former governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the grand patron of OGD political family, the largest political family in Western Nigeria officially announced he would return to PDP  there has been rumbles in several camps of OGD family. Much has been said and published regarding the issue but of all the stories authored on social media, Fela Rotimi's piece appeared shocking where he labelled the action as 'ambitious criss-crossing and outrageous dis-loyalty to voters.'
    He further lamented the plight of thousands of taken-for-granted and forgotten innocent electorates who are neither carried-along, nor have their opinions sampled in the negotiations and are left confused by rumour mills.
     Many even viewed Labour Party (LP) in the light of this action as not more than a mere ram one reared and nourished only to be slaughtered for festive merriment. This can be said to be true given the fact same OGD built and nourished LP to become the strongest force in Ogun and imagining same party collapsed into another party with the consent of the one who built it calls for questioning.
      Labour Party surely had earned a high-profile show of acceptance from Ogun people in the last few months. Confidence in LP has continued to soar to high heavens with the activities of the stakeholders of the party. It has exhibited unparalleled readiness to transform Ogun for better if voted in comes 2015. Supporters of political aspirants for various offices made the campaign more interesting but challenging for the incumbent government. In summary, LP dwarfed other main parties in ideas, programmes, consolidation, organisation, political oration and paraded best brains Ogun can ever produce!
   Sina Kawonise for instance, is a combination of abilities; a resourceful entrepreneur, outstanding media giant with enviable past records in public office and private business. This proud Ijebu son has done wonderfully well and has all it takes to move Ogun forward. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka is a complete gentleman with proven track records. A seasoned banker of all times. What about Sarafa Tunji Ishola, who is equally a seasoned administrator and a qualified candidate for the job? All these people have reasons to be worried at action of the leadership of LP to merge with PDP.
  In fact, sizeable percentage of OGD political family are bound to detest the idea at this time but same action might end up becoming blessing for the family and those who might have resolved to stay back in LP may still need to have a re-think. Either ways, those who moved to PDP shouldn't be seen as cowards, while those who might still be skeptical shouldn't be viewed as being disloyal to their leaders. It's a personal decision only that a personal interest shouldn't supersede party's political ideology.
      It would be recalled that PDP was defeated in the last election not because the opposition had greater hold on the people but largely because of the internal crisis within the PDP fold. Whenever there's a problem in larger organisations, smaller ones take such opportunity to excel, same for political parties. In the 1990s here in Lagos, the conflict between Messers Agbalajobi and Dapo Sarumi paved way for the emergence of late Micheal Otedola. The same thing happened in Ogun in 2011. The conflict in PDP gave birth to PPN and same dis-agreement between top stakeholders gave victory to Amosun of the then ACN at the time.

    Sentiments apart, it isn't a child's play wrestling power from an incumbent government let alone a government that does not give a damn if a thousand people die all in a bid to return to power. I believe so much in Labour Party, yet I still contest the survey results that rated it as the strongest in Ogun. The truth is Labour Party is much more stronger in Ogun East but not the same for Ogun Central and Ogun West.
  Going into next year’s general election with these indicators might result in political suicide. It's in the light of all these facts that I would give kudos to Otunba Gbenga Daniel for that brilliant move. I believe going  into a coalition with another political party that also has some grounds might just be what we need.
     Those who have their eyes trained on political participation would undoubtedly agree with me that  only a solid coalition of all the old PDP members scattered all over different parties would give Amosun a chase in 2015.