A former spokesperson to late former governor Lamidi Adesina of Oyo State, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan is vindicated by the appointment of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the consultation, reconciliation and confidence building efforts with the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Ibadan-born politician had, few months ago, suggested that Nigeria would be better if Buhari assign roles to the APC leader.
According to Olaosebikan, who is a former council boss, the designation is more or less a chief of staff role.
A statement this afternoon by the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba had announced Tinubu’s new role, saying that “the assignment will involve resolving disagreements among party members, party leadership and political office holders in some states of the Federation.”
Olaosebikan’s earlier statement released on October 18, 2017 is reproduced below:
“I think the President should have toed this line by rewarding the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a role in government. It would have been appropriate to make him the Chief of Staff. Nigeria would have been better for it.
”But what do we have now? The President is from the North, the Chief of Staff is from the North, the SGF is from the North and so on. The point I am making is that a strong presidency would serve us better. Acceptance of the position by Tinubu is another thing entirely. But for somebody who wanted to be vice president, the position of CoS could suffice, if service is the major motivation. Imagine having Tinubu with his vast experience, the way he turned Lagos State around and how he has ensured continuity and unparalleled progress in Lagos State, working in government with President Muhammadu Buhari, the result would have been awesome.
“There won’t be clash of interests because with such an appointment, Tinubu would have greater respect for and undiluted loyalty to the President and that would make him give the government his utmost best. If it is all about Nigeria, they are bound to work harmoniously better than what we are experiencing now.
“From my assessment of his government so far, President Muhammadu Buhari means well for the country but he would have made greater achievements and united the country further if he had exhibited more tolerance, inclusiveness in the composition of his inner team. The country is being seriously polarised.
“To stem polarisation, the buck stops at the table of the President. He is the only one that can do it. Speculations are rife now that he wants to rejig the cabinet. He needs to engage those that can efficiently strengthen his government and make service delivery easier and more effective for him not minding where they come from. It is in the best interest of our nation,” he said.
