How Tinubu Captured Lagos

How Tinubu Captured Lagos

To the indignation of the youth and several other groups in Nigeria, the man we know today as Bola Ahmed Tinubu a.k.a Jagaban (leader of the warriors) emerged winner of the most competitive presidential elections the nation has ever seen since. But it can’t be said that the people didn’t see it coming.

Besides his 8-year tenure as governor of Lagos state, Jagaban has subtly been in the thick of operations in Lagos, a quiet but powerful master with a tight grip on the island. But how did he get to this height of influence over the most popular state in Nigeria? What is his story?

Well, we are spilling the beans in this article. For starters, most of what everyone knows begins with his 1999-2007 reign as Lagos governor. He continued to wield power by actively staying involved in local politics, spreading power to his family members and running a system in which no one interested in being someone in the political scene of Lagos could emerge without first paying his or her dues to the Jagaban of Lagos.

Some of the connections this 70 year old godfather leverages are with the Iya Oloja of Lagos markets, Abibat Mogaji, the head of public relations in Ita Faji market, Alhaja Dada Asisat Oriyomi, Lagos State transport network and many more. While his loyalists are scattered all over Lagos, it was quite unusual when this self-ordained Asiwaju (he who rules) failed to secure the vote of Lagosians in the just concluded elections.

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His influence still remains quite strong. In 2013, when the mysterious Mogaji passed on, the former governor is known to have appointed his daughter as successor amidst criticisms. It’s no news that virtually all Lagos State governors after him were nothing more than his proteges.

Another way, Bola Ahmed Tinubu strategically maintained a stronghold in Lagos was to possess high-value properties in the megacity and reorganize the tax collection system while keeping his fingers deep in the pie. The coffers of private tax collection companies are not left out in state-wide take over.

Without mincing words, Jagaban is easily the wealthiest politician in the country and so far, his source of wealth have not been entirely traceable with rumors and accusations of fraud, drug trafficking, money laundering and a host of other unsavory vices.

Not too long ago, the aging patriarch is recorded to have had an armored bullion van utilised mostly by banks paraded in his opulent home in Ikoyi, Lagos. The van is suspected to have been loaded with hard cash for vote buying, but the former governor denied these allegations.

His influence extends to Aso Rock itself where he claims to have secured the seat of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo into office. Though basic facts about him such as his background and true age remain obscure, there’s no doubt the size and depth of his power. It would take an equally matched opposition to unseat a man like Asiwaju.