Comparing Tinubu With Awolowo Makes Me Sad - Afenifere Leader, Adebanjo Speaks

Posted by Odinaka on Thu 13th Aug, 2015 - tori.ng

Chief Ayo Adebanjo has slammed the people comparing the legendary Obafemi Awolowo with APC leader, Bola Tinubu.

Obafemi Awolowo, Bola Tunubu

Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in a new interview with Punch, has spoken about the tussle for the leadership of Yoruba race and other issues. Below are excerpts from the chat;

The APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been described as the leader of the Yoruba and the successor of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Being a close associate of Awolowo, do you share this view?

That is part of the nonsense being peddled by the media. How can Tinubu be the leader of the Yoruba race? The background of Awolowo’s leadership was never because he was in government. It was his integrity and track record. Now, they are calling Tinubu the leader because he won an election. Is that the qualification for Yoruba leadership? There is no way you can compare Tinubu with Awolowo and I regard it as an insult. What is the knowledge of Tinubu? How many books has he published? Awolowo propounded theories and established philosophies such that a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Harold Wilson, said Awolowo was qualified to rule America.

Even though Awolowo was the leader of the opposition, the then President, Shehu Shagari, honoured him with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic title despite the fact that the title is preserved only for Heads of State. That shows you the pedigree of Awolowo. What of the background of Awolowo? Can we say the same of Tinubu? Comparing Awolowo to Tinubu is bringing Yoruba leadership to the ground. When did Tinubu come into prominence? Awolowo fought colonialism for years. But because Tinubu just won an election, those he has put in positions are now shouting ‘leader’.

All those calling Tinubu Yoruba leader are his creations. They are Tinubu apologists. They are the ones he made governors and appointed commissioners. No prominent, self-respecting Yoruba man will accept Tinubu as a leader. How can Tinubu be a leader in a country where Prof. Wole Soyinka and others are? We have bigger characters in Yoruba land.