Is Tinubu the New Awolowo?

 

Who is the authentic leader of the Yoruba? Who among the present crop of politicians in the South-West geopolitical zone qualifies to be called a leader in the mould of Obafemi Awolowo, the revered leader who made the region a development model in the First Republic? Are the so-called “progressives” in the region true followers of his ideology or just pretenders who have benefitted from his name to gain following and political mileage?

 The idea of “the leader’’ in a country where politics is dominated by ethnic loyalty and hero worshipping has defined Nigeria political following since independence.

 The argument for Tinubu had centered on his doggedness in building the Action Congress of Nigeria into a formidable opposition party especially with the results of 2011 elections which saw the party defeating the Peoples Democratic Party, in the takeover of the South-West.

 It had been argued then that by rallying the region into the progressive fold, a feat that was only achieved in the First Republic when Awolowo was the Premier of the then Western Region, Tinubu had become the Awolowo of our time.

 Since the death of Awolowo’s protégés such as Adekunle Ajasin, Bola Ige and Abraham Adesanya, the question of who could step in his shoes has divided the region.

 However, none of the leaders that have laid claim to being the successor of the late sage has lived up to his achievements and larger-than-life image.

 Not until a decade ago when Tinubu emerged from the ruins of military rule has the debate assumed contentious heights.

Is there any similarity between him and Tinubu in his doggedness to remain in the opposition despite the Federal Government breathing down his neck since 2003? There seems to be a sense of déjà vu that the events which shaped the politics of the South-West from 1959 to 1963 have played out in the last 12 years

Can Tinubu then be said to be the number one leader of the South-West with a strong national presence? Is he the new Awolowo?