By Abdul Mohammed Lawal.
As an adaptation of timeless leadership principles reminds us:
“Great leaders don’t aspire to lead but to make a difference. Their true measure is revealed not in moments of ease but in times of adversity, where resilience and vision define their path.”
Democracy is a beautiful experience, but it can never be truly special without a region producing trailblazers resilient enough to break established norms and rewrite history. The journey of these individuals is never smooth when all stories are told, but their adventures end up molding leadership in their countries or states for the better. This has always been the peculiar story of African states, marked by the fight to break the shackles of colonialism and neocolonialism, but democracy has amplified it.
In contemporary African society, telling the story of democracy would be incomplete without mentioning the Yorubas, who have used the respect embedded in their “Omoluabi tradition” to build a political culture worth studying. This is why figures like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who ideologically stood out among his contemporaries, remain revered. Equally, Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s valiant struggles during the years of military dictatorship and his role as a democratic leader in 1993 are among the most celebrated to this day.
His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has a story defined by a not-so-beautiful pre-democracy experience. My late father once said that Tinubu was poised to become Chief of Staff to the President if the 1993 election results had been upheld. However, the annulment of that election thrust him into a new struggle; one that redefined his journey to becoming the leader he aspired to be. It was a long walk to freedom, punctuated by tragic losses, imprisonment of comrades, and forced exile to ensure the movement endured.
When democracy was restored in 1999, it marked a victory for Tinubu and his contemporaries as they returned to their motherland and reintegrated into Nigerian society. Tinubu contested and won the election to become the Executive Governor of Lagos State, taking charge of the leadership struggle and ensuring its impact extended far beyond Lagos. Over the past 25 years, his adventures in governance and leadership have been remarkable. It is no surprise that younger leaders like His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, draws inspiration from the “Asiwaju Political Ideology.”
Alhaji Yahaya Bello entered the political arena as a relative newcomer in 2015, ascending to the governorship of Kogi State in 2016; an ethnically diverse state. Like every path to greatness, his journey has been defined by unending trials that have built him into a remarkable politician and leader. Could the North Central have found its own Asiwaju-like figure; and do they fully realize this yet?
Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos State Governor in 1999 was more than an administrative role; it was an opportunity to revive the unfinished leadership struggle of 1993. By implementing modern governance techniques honed during his exile, Tinubu realized that building the Lagos of his dreams required the brightest minds from across Nigeria, not just Lagosians. And, he didn’t waste any time with his chances.
This Nigerian dream, centered on Lagos, ended up building a new generation of leaders from various states, influencing not only modern Lagos but also their own states and the nation at large. Tinubu consciously built a model for state government leadership in Nigeria, often without his contemporaries even realizing it.
Similarly, Alhaji Yahaya Bello adopted the Asiwaju-like approach of appointing individuals from diverse backgrounds and regions to key positions. This strategy fostered unity and expanded his political influence beyond Kogi State. Among these appointments is Barr. Moses Okezie-Okafor, a citizen of Anambra State, who has led the State’s Research and Development team since 2016.
Economic empowerment was central to Tinubu’s legacy as Lagos Governor, marked by reforms that increased the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and made Lagos economically self-sustaining. The government’s efforts on fiscal reforms and infrastructural development to build an economic hub immediately created an investment-worthy environment and retold the Lagos fortune. This focus on empowerment transformed Lagos into Africa’s model city, a legacy that continues to inspire other states.
Likewise, the success of tax reforms in Kogi State is one of the most under-celebrated achievements of Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s “New Direction” administration. From a poorly structured tax system that enriched only a few, Kogi’s tax revenue grew from a monthly benchmark of 350 million naira to a high of 1.8 billion naira under Bello’s leadership. Recently, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo’s “Continuity and Consolidation” administration pushed this figure above 2 billion naira.
A defining aspect of Tinubu’s political ideology is mentorship. He invests in grooming future leaders, many of whom have gone on to hold influential positions nationwide. This approach has allowed Tinubu to extend his influence beyond Lagos, creating a network of leaders who carry his vision forward. Have you ever wondered how he has been able to retain influence over governance in Lagos many years after his tenure as governor? He has consistently ensured that one of his protégés becomes governor in every election cycle, while many others from different states continue to emerge as influential powerbrokers.
In the history of Kogi State, no single politician has developed more leaders than His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. He has not only empowered individuals but also established a system that provides each of them with a broad sphere of influence to thrive beyond limitations. Within a short time, the old order that held Kogi State back gave way. As a leader, he has faced criticism for being overly trusting; entrusting significant power to his protégés to grow into their roles. However, this approach has been driven by a shared vision of building a prosperous Kogi State.
Along the way, he has elevated the sons of average Kogites to high-ranking positions, including Ministers, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and even members of the Kogi State House of Assembly. Most of these individuals, along with their aspirations, would likely have been sacrificed by the entrenched status quo in Kogi State before 2015. These appointments have been pivotal to his approach to modernising governance in Kogi and earned him respect and establishing him as a symbol of change within the North Central.
This pan-Nigerian outlook of Bola Tinubu has been one of his greatest strengths, as he has always strived to bridge divides and foster unity. Many believe he inherited this trait from his late mother, Chief Abibatu Mogaji, a prominent market leader, whose influence formed his inclusive leadership style. This likely helped him survive the struggles of pre-democratic Nigeria and return in 1999 as a symbol of hope for the Southwest. His strategy of building alliances across ethnic and regional lines has been widely praised and has helped him overcome challenges to reach his current position.
Likewise, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, credits much of his leadership qualities to his mother, Hajiya Hawawu Oziohu Bello, fondly called the ‘mother to all’ in Agassa. Like Tinubu, Bello’s success comes from his strong connection with grassroots communities. By engaging directly with people and addressing their needs, he has built a loyal base and a strong political network. Anyone who meets Bello often walks away with a story to tell, as this personal touch keeps defining his leadership. This is definitely a sign that bigger things are around the corner.
Like a wiseman said, challenges are a part of leadership, but true greatness comes from overcoming them. The beauty of the success stories of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and his leadership journey has been enough to counter the accompanying challenges that defined the leader he became. As he once stated during the buildup to the 2023 presidential election, it took his wisdom, along with that of the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, to survive the 1993 struggles and live to win for Nigerians today. This is the beauty that comes with choosing to pay the price.
Similarly, like the ordeals faced by His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Tinubu encountered challenges from the weaponisation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after his remarkable tenure as Governor of Lagos State. In what seems to have been a politically motivated pursuit, the EFCC declared him wanted. However, he remained strong and continued turning his challenges into opportunities, and those who fought against his rise now look at him with admiration.
Could these parallels be coincidences, or is fate delivering a message to the North Central that greatness is already here? Is it not time for the region to rally behind a unified leader, as it has always aspired to have?
It has been a joyous experience writing this piece about two leaders I truly admire for their acceptance, shared traits, and visionary personas. Challenges will undoubtedly arise, but just as Asiwaju did, the trailblazing “Agassa Traveller,” Alhaji Yahaya Bello, will continue to emerge stronger and finish the beautiful story he has started.
Thank you for all that you have given, and the much that is still to come.