How #EndSARS protests reignited Tinubu/Bode George rivalry

The recent #EndSARS protest which took violent dimensions in Lagos resulting in arsons, looting and destruction of public and private properties in Lagos State has re-ignited the political rivalry between the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju […]

The recent #EndSARS protest which took violent dimensions in Lagos resulting in arsons, looting and destruction of public and private properties in Lagos State has re-ignited the political rivalry between the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Daily Trust on Sunday reports.

 

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, is an indisputable leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has decided who got what within the state political firmament.

Bode George on the other hand is also the leader of the opposition PDP.  He has been in the top echelon of the party at the national level, rising through the ranks in the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to become the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP.

But the two leaders of their respective parties have over the years been far apart in terms of political ideologies and disposition to issues.

At every avenue, Bode George has never missed the chance to throw a jab at Tinubu whom he has often railed for allegedly imposing governors and other elected officeholders on the state from 1999 till date.

Recently, Bode George was reported to have said he would contest the 2023 elections against Tinubu if the latter decides to contest as being widely rumoured. The rivalry between the duo has become legendary.

To Bode George, Tinubu’s domineering influence in Lagos politics has been an albatross and a clog in the wheel of the progress of the state in the last 20 years or so. But those in the camp of Tinubu have often countered the assertion, saying as typical of opposition in any democratic setting, they would never see anything good in the ruling party.

They insist Tinubu’s leadership has propelled the state to greatness and positioned the Centre of Excellence as the envy of all in the comity of states in Nigeria.

On Monday October 26th 2020, after the state eased curfew in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest and the anarchy that enveloped the state with public and private properties burnt and looted without restraint, George who is the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland held a press conference which could be described as explosive.

The text of the briefing held at his Ikoyi office with his supporters in attendance was titled: “Lagos State: The Anger and the Rage.” While condemning the turn of events in the state, he blamed the deterioration on what he called the hopelessness and helplessness allegedly foisted on the state by Tinubu.

“I have chosen to talk. I have chosen to identify with the voiceless, the helpless, the trampled, the hapless, the selfless members of the armed forces and the police.

“But I do not speak with any partisan badge. I speak as a Nigerian patriot. I speak as an Elder Statesman. I speak as the Atọna Odua of Yorubaland. I speak as a Lagosian original.

“Our system is not working. Our ethos and norms have broken down. The structures of power are hindering merit and excellence. It is this very anomaly which is much pronounced in Lagos State than any other part of our nation that galvanized the #EndSARS protests,” Bode George declared in his opening speech.

He however attacked the APC national leader, saying his response to the killings of protesters at Lekki was insensitive.

Bode George claimed that the state generates N50bn monthly from all manners of taxes yet bedevilled with huge infrastructure challenges, saying the revenue is largely unaccounted for while the state is also hugely indebted to local and international creditors to the tune of over N28trn.

He added: “All our infrastructures have collapsed. The roads are impassable. The schools are derelict, drunkenly leaning, broken and shattered. Our children sit under leaking roofs while Tinubu and his appendages flaunt obscene riches.

“This is why the youths are angry. They have no jobs. They are without hopes. They are without dreams. They are without any enabling empowerment from the Lagos government. They just waste away while people without knowledge, without any credible credentials are positioned in positions of authority.

“It appears that the tools of power in Lagos have abandoned reasoning and rationality. They are obviously without thoughtful contemplation. A caring, enlightened and thoughtful leadership would not erect two parallel toll gates within the state, basically fleecing the people and adding to the burden and the misery of the average citizen who must pay more on bus fares as transporters pass on the costs to commuters.”

The PDP leader however made some demands including the dismantling of the two toll gates at Lekki where the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters took place. Other demands by Bode George included the scrapping of Alpha Beta, the consulting firm collecting revenues on behalf of the state which was alleged to be owned by Tinubu as well as the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), the firm managing the toll gates.

The PDP leader also said the advert signage monopoly allegedly given to Seyi Tinubu, Tinubu’s son, should be withdrawn; that Iyaloja General Title held by Folashade, Tinubu’s daughter, should be withdrawn, that the NURTW which has become the militia arm of the Lagos State should be reorganised.

He added, “The outrageous pension scheme for immediate past governors should be scrapped; the prodigal allowances given to members of the House of Assembly should be scrapped; there should be free education from primary to secondary level; free healthcare services must be given to the needy,” he added.

But from day one contrary to the several attacks launched at him, Tinubu had distanced himself from the shooting at Lekki. In fact, Tinubu earlier suggested that the same Lekki tollgate should be left closed for an indefinite period and if reopened, the proceeds should be donated to the confirmed victims of the incident.

Tinubu also distanced himself from the ownership of the LCC. He however confirmed he has interest in the The Nation Newspapers and Television Continental (TVC), both media houses which were torched by arsonists.

More so, he had prior notice about the pending attacks on his business interests but he didn’t act by requesting for the military because he did not want a bloodshed.

He said, “The attackers came. Both facilities were significantly damaged. Although equipped with prior notice of the imminent trespass, I did not call any one to seek or request for the army or police to deploy let alone attack, kill, or injure those who razed and vandalized these properties.

“I did not want any bloodshed. These elements, mostly hirelings of my political opponents, wreaked their havoc and destroyed those buildings and facilities and I thank God that the employees of these two media institutions managed to escape largely unharmed.

“There is a deeper truth involved here. Burned buildings and damaged equipment can be rebuilt or replaced. There is no adequate substitute for the loss of even a single human life. I am not one to encourage violence. I abhor it. Thus, I did nothing that might endanger lives, even the lives of those who destroyed my properties.”

Tinubu said he gained nothing by ordering the shooting of protesters at Lekki, adding that “the present situation clearly does nothing to profit me politically or otherwise.”

“It has complicated matters for me because many people now wrongfully blame me for a violent incident in which I played no part. Still, I stand strongly behind the people of Nigeria and affirm their right to protest peacefully.

“Along with all well-meaning, patriotic Nigerians, I want to see an end to all forms of institutionalised brutality and I shall do my utmost to see that this humane objective is realised,” Tinubu added.

“Why would I be so moved as to instigate the army to attack peaceful, law-abiding people at the toll gate where I have no pecuniary stake, yet lift not a single finger to stop hired miscreants bent on setting fire to these important media investments?

“The allegations against me make no sense because they are untrue. They are parented by those seeking to stoke and manipulate the people’s anger in order to advance political objectives that have nothing to do with the subject matter of the protests,” he added.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the attack on Tinubu is one out of many others he has suffered in the hands of the opposition in the state which has vowed to dismantle the Tinubu hegemony in the state and take over the governance of the nation’s commercial capital.

But the ruling party says the party remains strong despite the opposition’s threat.

State Chairman of APC, Hon. Tunde Balogun, in a chat with Daily Trust on Sunday however said Bode George is free to express his opinions which he said were not true about the character of the APC National leader.

He said, “He is free to comment the way he likes either negatively or positively because I would never expect him to talk positively about Asiwaju, let him just say what he likes.”

According to him, the ruling party would continue to enjoy the support of the people of Lagos State as a “responsible and responsive” party which prioritizes the welfare of the people.

He said, “Whether you like or not, you are a journalist, you could see the development taking place in Lagos in the more than 16 years of the ruling party in Lagos.

“I’m just trying to be modest; I don’t need to tell you much about that but I must tell you that APC has provided a very good platform for development with our policies and you could see that these are obvious for people to see, they are glaring for everyone to see. Every Nigerian wants to live in Lagos, every Nigerian wants to have a property in Lagos, every Nigerian feels Lagos is a home to them.

“We are accommodating; and as part of our efforts to develop the state, APC will continue to do that as a responsible and responsive party, we will continue to be on the path of development and continue to be a leading state.

“There are challenges. We expect competition, we expect challenges but as a responsible and responsive party, a party that takes care of the welfare of the people, undoubtedly, the citizens of Lagos will always support APC.”

Also speaking, another APC chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, said Bode George is envious of the accomplishment of Asiwaju in national politics.

He said, “You don’t expect Bode George to be happy with Asiwaju. He has been dealing with him since 1999. He has not won any election and he is not likely to win. So, he is pouring venom. There are others like that, their wish is that Asiwaju should cease to exist from the surface of the earth but it is not possible. Asiwaju is doing his work and they are doing the talking. If you expect Bode George and his co-travellers in Lagos PDP or South-West to be happy, it is a lie because Asiwaju decimated PDP in the South-West.”

But the state Secretary of PDP, Prince Muiz Dosumu, in a chat with Daily Trust on Sunday, said the issues raised by Chief Bode George are valid about what is happening in Nigeria and Lagos State especially.

“This is not about partisan politics. Baba (Bode George) spoke as a nationalist. Even the blind can see what is happening; there is no job, there is hunger in the land, there is insecurity. It is even worse in Lagos. Let the ruling party dispute all the issues raised by Baba or respond to them directly.

“The system in Lagos is only benefiting the few who are close to the seat of power. They should leave and allow the indigenes to do it.”