Governors Ayodele Fayose and Rauf Aregbesola of Ekiti and Osun states, have showered encomium on former Lagos State governor and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who marks his64th birthday Tuesday.
Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, described Tinubu as a pillar in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
Fayose said the APC national leader had over the years proven to be a great political figure in the country.
“I heartily felicitate with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he clocks 64 on March 29.
“Whether one likes it or not, Asiwaju Tinubu has become a political pillar and leader, not only in Yorubaland but in Nigeria. He is a great politician who takes well-calculated political steps.
“I and the good people of Ekiti State join millions of Nigerians and Asiwaju Tinubu’s friends and supporters across the world to rejoice with him on this auspicious occasion.
“Asiwaju Tinubu is a good case study when one talks about political resilience and doggedness and no wonder he now ranks among the leaders of this great country.
“I pray that God gives him the grace to witness many more years in sound health in the land of the living,” Fayose was quoted as saying in the statement.
On his part, Aregbesola described Tinubu as a true democrat and bridge-builder.
A statement signed by Aregbesola’s spokesperson, Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Aregbesola portraying Tinubu as one gallant Nigerian who fought not only for democracy but also the expansion of the nation’s political space.
Aregbesola highlighted Tinubu’s financial management ingenuity, unparalleled political mobilisation capacity and the ability to keep his large political family together as some of the reasons Tinubu would continue to be celebrated and revered for a long time to come.
He stated that the further expansion of the political space of the country also makes Tinubu a bridge-builder and an astute politician, who brought to pass the prediction of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that the progressive South and North will one day come together to rule the nation.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu means many things to many people but there are certain things that everyone agrees about him: a political think-thank, master strategist, promoter of politics of inclusion, political futurist and fearless activist and top politician per excellence.
“His life is packed with personal achievements and involvements as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a pro-democracy activist, two-time governor of Lagos State, mentor of successful leaders and currently a major player and factor on the national political scene.
“He strikes as a consummate politician and very strategic, original political thinker.
“When he became governor of Lagos, the state was financially incapacitated but Tinubu’s knowledge of public finance changed the fortune of the Lagos Internally Generated Revenue from mere N600m. The rest is history as Lagos today stands on firm, sure footing of unimaginable development proportion.
“There is no denying the fact that Asiwaju is a rare breed politician, patriot and a true democrat. Through his political efforts and strategies, progressive politics for which the South West was noted now dominates the realm.”
“No doubt, the accounts of modern Nigerian political evolution would not be complete without ample recognition of the roles of this selfless political leader.”
Follow Us