2023: Cracks Within Yoruba Nation That Could Hamstring Tinubu’s Presidential Quest

Reactions have continued to trail the highly anticipated Presidential candidacy of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose recent actions have suggested that the former Lagos State Governor may soon throw his hat into the ring ahead of the 2023 Presidential Election.

EKO HOT BLOG had reported earlier that on Monday, April 12, 2021, Tinubu-branded rice as well as other food items surfaced in Kano and were being distributed to residents, even though it remains unclear if the gesture came directly from Asiwaju or some of the loyalists within his camp.

The donation of food items comes on the heels of the celebration of his 69th birthday anniversary at the Kano State Government House, and also in the wake of courtesy visits to Katsina and Kaduna States.

At this point it would be a safe bet eliminate the question of ‘if’ Tinubu chooses to run to the question of ‘when’ he will officially announce his candidacy; but then, as captured in a viral video by one his staunch loyalists, the big elephant in the room which he would have to deal with in his quest would be to harmonize the emerging cracks within the Yoruba nation, which to a large extent can tip the scales in his favour or otherwise.

As encapsulated in the video, Tinubu has pretty much laid his cards on the table with regard to proving his unquestionable leadership credentials, as evidenced in the revolutionary job he did as Lagos State Governor. This irrebuttable leadership acumen was once again evident when he masterminded the ‘coalition of oppositions’ that eventually brought together fragments of smaller political parties which came together to create a mega-party (APC) and topple PDP from Nigeria’s apex seat of power.

It goes without a saying that as a nation, Nigeria is presently being faced with unprecedented levels of crises, from a dwindling economy to unemployment, to massive unrest within civil institutions, to insecurity; crises which realistically, will determine the trajectory of the country’s foreseeable future.

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In recognition of Asiwaju’s credentials to steer Nigeria from the doldrums of its unending socio-political and economic problems, many loyalists within Southwest Nigeria and beyond have already begun to root for Tinubu’s highly anticipated candidacy. However, emerging cracks within the Yoruba nation has seen much chaos and infighting by certain power players who have radicalized certain segments of impressionable individuals in a bid to scuttle Asiwaju’s chances of occupying the highest office in the land.

There is no gainsaying in the fact having an experienced, knowledgeable, tactful and detribalized character like Asiwaju at the helm of affairs will be of benefit to not just Southwest Nigeria, but all Nigerians by extension. This why is it is crucially important for the Yorubas to heed the admonition in the footage above and bury petty grievances, uniting towards a greater good which would undoubtedly produce the emergence of the most credible candidate in the forthcoming 2023 polls.