Fiery preacher and pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare, has said former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, does not belong in the same class with the former premier of Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, and does not deserve to take the place of the late sage as the leader of the Yoruba race.
He said although both leaders made unique contributions in bringing the race together, Mr. Awolowo belonged to a special breed created by God and was only in the class of world leaders like Mahatma Gandhi of India.
Mr. Bakare stated this in an interview published in the second edition of The Interview magazine, a new monthly publication led by a former Group Managing Director of Leadership Newspaper, Azubike Ishiekwene.
Mr. Tinubu, a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, holds the title of Asiwaju, one of the numerous titles also held by the late premier of Western region, who passed away in 1987.
Asiwaju in the Yoruba language means “the frontline leader.”
Mr. Awolowo founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa in the 40’s to promote the culture and unity of the Yoruba. In 1951, he founded the Action Group, a political party that ran for elections in the First Republic.
He later founded the Unity Party of Nigeria, which swept the governorship polls in all the states in the old Western State as well as the old Bendel State in the Second Republic.
Apart from ruling Lagos State for eight years, Mr. Tinubu, a Third Republic senator, was believed to be the brain behind the merger of some opposition party into the APC in 2013.
The parties were the Congress for Progressive Change, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Action Congress of Nigeria and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
The party currently controls the federal government and 22 states, including five of the six states in Yoruba land.
But Mr. Bakare said Mr. Tinubu was yet to cross the kind of rivers rivers Mr. Awolowo crossed.
“What major river did he (Tinubu) cross?” Mr. Bakare fired back when asked by his interviewer if the former governor was not qualified to take the place of the sage who is widely described as the last authentic leader of the Yoruba.
Reminded that Mr. Tinubu was the major engineer of the merger that helped to bring the Yoruba together, the clergyman said, “And you think it was only Bola Tinubu who made that possible. I see. Which one came first, the chicken or the egg?”
He stated further, “Well, the answer is in the Bible. You are a preacher yourself. God first created the bird of the air and not eggs. The birds laid the eggs. If you see the picture of patriots and Nigerian leaders here, they are all a collapse of his.
“The people who are attempting to wear his (Awolowo) glasses do not have his vision, they attempt to wear his cap but do not have his brain, they attempt to wear his shoes but do not walk his ways. Show me the empire that Awolowo built with public funds. To a Yoruba man, there is no concept greater than Omoluabi.
“If you get to my father’s grave in a hut he built in 1922, which is now a museum, there is an inscription ‘bibire koshefowora” which means you cannot buy a good pedigree or familial background.
“I am not trying to take the shine off Tinubu’s efforts; he had laboured but he is not in the same class with Awolowo. Regardless of how many rivers he crosses, he is still Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Awolowo is Awolowo.
“I have seen some paintings and pictures out there of Mahatma Gandhi, Awolowo and others and I just laugh and wonder why people can’t be themselves. When God needed a Mahatma Gandhi, he created one. So he did when he wanted an Awolowo. He created a T.D Jakes when he needed one.
“A young man once went to T.D. Jakes and said, ‘Pray for me that God will bless me and make me like you.’ T.D.Jakes asked him, “Are you sure.” “He said ‘Yes’ and T.D. Jakes said, “Let us pray. May you be homeless, go through hardship,’ and the young man jumped up and said ‘no, no, no, no, “and T.D. Jakes said, “That is what produces results.”
Mr. Bakare, who was the vice presidential candidate of the CPC in the 2011 election, said books Mr. Awolowo authored were still relevant today.
“You need to see books he (Awolowo) wrote and how they are still relevant today,” he said. “Years after he left the scene, he is still the numero uno Yoruba leader. Eagles don’t flock. You see one at a time.”
(Premium Times) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Awolowo was not a saint either. I wonder why no one talks about the land and properties Awolowo acquired and used Shonibares as front. Tinubu is way ahead of Tunde Bakare, he is not a saint either. Let us give honour to whom honour is due. Tinubu was one of those that stood up against Abacha, he ran away when his life was at stake. He never jumped from one party yo another even when Obasanjo held his balls. Finally he stood on the side of the masses and stood with change. Tinubu is a great man.
ReplyDeleteGbam! Those that have ears let them hear
Deletegbam! Those that have ears should hear
DeleteSorry to say oh, at any given time God create a leader for a group of people, presently keep it or leave it Tinubu is the reigning's leader of western Nigeria. Its not by power but by it might. He may not be a saint but you must give honour to whom honour is due.
ReplyDeleteThe common thread that bound great men and women together is vision.
ReplyDeleteGreat mayb....but d point still remains he is not as great as awolowo.....dis mr La,may sentiment not wound u.....u r way too sentimental for my liking,always jumping d gun...u dnt believe dere is anytin greater dan dis ur Apc....anyway,i laff sha...
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you think I am a Mr. Sorry to dissapoint you, I am a woman. My opinion not your. Air you view and bounce. If I jump the gun, try to jump the bomb. This is not Biafra, this is Nigeria. Mumu.
DeletePastor Bakare has said it all. They want to wear Awo's cap but lack the brain. They want to put on Awo's glasses but lack the vision. They want to wear Awo's shoes but don't follow his way. Bakare didn't say Tinubu does not have brain or lacks vision or is not walking on a path, all he is saying is what Tinybu has, sees or treads on is quite different from Awo's or not up to Awo's standard no matter what achievement Tinybu has recorded for himself recently. He even gave an insight on the image built up of each of them. Awo, through nothing but sheer dedicational love for the people, while Tinybu's is through use of public funds. I truly commend the Pastor for being forthright, brave, courageous and bold. He is one that can talk to anyone eyeball to eyeball and tell you who you are.
ReplyDeleteAwolowo was one of the tool that keep Nigeria one united nation today. He was a gifted crisis manager without the use of force. Do you for one consider the havoc done to the igbo community due to one man selfish interest, Ojukwu, a good leader will rather give up his personal agenda at the detriment of 1000s of his people. Dogmatical acceptance of hatred history delivered by the igbo leader is not enough for you make judgement but rather research yourself and find the fact on the issue. Otherwise igbo race will continue to be backward in Nigeria politics'
ReplyDelete