Message To Asiwaju -By Mustapha Sulyman Oluwatofunmi(MSO)

Sir, once again, permit me to join your ardent supporters out there in congratulating you on your well-deserved victory. It’s a tough battle but, you won for the reason that cannot be farfetched from your commitment, tenacity, focus and your continuous political investment in people across the nation over decades. This lucrative human investment fetches you the celebrating victory today. To say the fact, you are a hero, a leader per excellent and achiever, and Nigerian political history would not be consummated without dedicated pages for you. 

That being said sir, now, let me start my message with this question;

 ASIWAJU, are you ready?

War is in segments and stages, one after the other. I believe strongly that you would be the happiest person in the country today (8th June 2022) if not world. Yes, it’s really worth it, and you deserve the victory. You reap what you sow, your longtime labor! God indeed gives reward for everything accordingly. I may not be a subject to your political institutions, but sincerely, I doff my hat to you. 

However, sir, as you have won in the first stage of the war, which marks the beginning of another but the tougher stage, general elections. This battle ahead will be more Herculean, if you would agree with me. This nip me to ask again that ‘are you ready for it?’

I know the answer you would give is “I’m fully ready, I have been preparing for this moment from decades ago”.  Well, that’s expected, and it’s apparent you have been nurturing this ambition for a long time but, do you only nurture the ambition to become an aspirant or to become a president along? This question might appear rhetoric, but it stands for a meaningful factor. 

Having won the flag of your party, Let me remind you sir, with honor, that you have a series of challenges ahead of you.

Let me start with your choice of running-mate. 

People are aggressively awaiting who you will choose and that choice is an immediate subsequent hiccup, you have to decisively deal with. 

Everyone believes you to be a Muslim and probably considering your running-mate from North because of the obvious reason. However, like Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said in his address to delegates, and I quote “Nigeria is a diverse religious country”. Therefore, to neutralize religious vituperation, you have to take the bull by the horn and pick your deputy yet again, decisively. 

Do not under emphasis that factor, sir. 

The second challenge is that of your strongest opponent, which I know you can’t consider as walkover. The candidature of Alh. Atiku Abubakar under PDP has indubitably been a nightmare to APC, which put the party in confusion of choice in the last few days. You are aware of his capacity with primary and secondary resources and his readiness to give it the best shot to become the next president of the country. In the same vein, just like you, this is his long-time ambition. If we don’t forget so soon, this was a candidate who pulled eleven million (11 m) votes despite the play out by incumbency. This time around the game is different because PMB will only contribute, if at all, a little (he bid for consensus but was turned down). 

It’s overt that the battle is between “two colossal eagles” now. One in the north and one in the south.

It will be interesting days ahead, with two friends eyeing a seat that can’t be divided. 

The third which I won’t emphasise much is the intra crisis and crash looming in your party, most especially, after this convention. Are you ready to mend it? You really have to do that, otherwise your shocking defeat will emanate from your beneath.  

The last, but the most important one that directly concerns every Nigerian, which is present agony in the country.

Sir, are you ready to shoulder or head the over Two Hundred Million (200 m) People with a stack of problems that have continued to cart away the hope of everyone. The problems varying from security porosity, economic growth impediment, educational cracks and the mother of all, the monster traumatizing the country in a big way, i.e., corruption. How well are you prepared and capable to fight all the foregoing challenges? The problems the current president, HE PMB, has been exhausted in terms of proffering solution.

Truly, it’s believed you are rich in experience, intellect, and wealth. But, I must ask again, how much are you rich in health and capability to withstand the heat of predicament and agony this country finds herself in?

Without being biased, you have a verifiable and a track record of competence and shrewdness as a governor of Lagos state but, are you the same Tinubu of yesterday?

Nigeria has a complicated problem which requires a vibrant, sound and effervescent president with physical agility that will tackle and sacrifice himself.  

Conclusively, with respect sir, check yourself with the love of your country primarily in your heart and come forward with convincing answers to earn our votes. 

May God heal our country and choose the best for us.

My best wishes, sir!