Apart from the corruption of our political leaders, if there is one of their characteristics that I abhor, it is their hypocrisy. Associated with this is double-speak, insincerity and holier-than-thou attitude and utterances. I can go on, but this is not necessary.

It was therefore with utter disbelief that I read that the ex-Governor of Lagos State , Bola Tinubu, attacked ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo recently (The Punch, Monday 26 Nov 2007) by saying that ex-President Obasanjo presided over an “Area Boy” Presidency during his eight year rule. He purportedly said this at a dinner lecture he delivered in Ibadan on Friday 23 November 2007 organised by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes as part of the activities marking Ibadan Week 2007. I will come to the organisers of that Ibadan Week later.

Boy! The sheer hypocrisy of this statement is beyond me. This is a classic example of a kettle calling the pot black, and smacks of political shenanigan, as these things always do. Who exactly raised the profile of the “Area Boys” (a euphemism for social miscreants) in Nigeria , if I may ask? Was it not the same Tinubu, who shamelessly and publicly used these criminals – turned – political thugs, at government expense during his eight years rule in Lagos State and extended this social abuse to many other parts of the country?

It is a well known fact that ex-Governor Bola Tinubu owed his election in 1999 and his subsequent re-election in 2003 to the use and intimidation of these Area Boys. Indeed, his now famous title “Ashiwaju”, meaning “The Leader” (I don’t know or care much who gave him this title) is now often derided and referred to as The Ashiwaju of Area Boys, in case he does not know. This title is indeed very apt and Tinubu rightly and appropriately deserves it, not minding the pun.

Now that the politicking and elections are over, at least for now until 2011, these Area Boys have now found themselves out of work and have now resorted back to their original criminality – armed robbery, and that is why there is this sudden rise and spate of armed robbery in Lagos State . And his successor and cousin, Governor Babatunde Fashola is now having one helluva fight on his hands to deal with. Them what has gets, so they say?

Please I am not here defending ex-President Obasanjo – the man is no longer worth defending – nor am I saying that Obasanjo’s Presidency did not display brute force and disrespect for the Nigerian Constitution, but for someone who actually created Area Boys to be accusing another of displaying Area Boys tendencies is a bit rich and completely insulting the intelligence of well-meaning and articulate Nigerians. As a matter of fact, if indeed Obasanjo had Area Boys in his Presidency, at least, they are not as crude and uneducated as those of Tinubu’s. The only things Tinubu’s Area Boys had over Obasanjo’s are their crudity, native intelligence, brutality, sponsorship and effectiveness. All these were displayed during the elections in Lagos State . You go and ask all those that were maimed and killed in violent clashes between PDP and AC and other parties in Lagos and its environs.

The Ashiwaju did not stop there; he then went on saying that “riggings that characterised the April general election reflected how the Presidency under Obasanjo trampled upon people’s rights to choose their representatives”.

He is right about this, of course, but what about himself in Lagos State ? Can Tinubu swear that he and his various parties (he was formerly in Alliance for Democracy, AD, before helping to destroy it, and then helped found Action Congress, AC) did not rig elections in Lagos State?

Ashiwaju Tinubu, like many of his co-politicians in Nigeria is never sincere with us. They are full of double-speak and think that the people are stupid and not aware of the havoc and misery they have created and perpetuated on the long-suffering people of this country. Tinubu was able to sustain his eight-year governorship tenure through sheer bullish and clever manipulation of the people and the state’s vast resources. Area Boys were sharing Lagos State Government money, given to them by no less a person than their Governor, in order to rig elections, at federal, state and local government levels. This is a known fact. He is also a very rich man, a result of his eight years in power as the Governor of the richest, and arguably, one of the only economically viable states in Nigeria .

When ex-Governor Ladoja of Oyo State won his right to return as Governor, he entered Ibadan guarded and accompanied by armed Area Boys supplied to him by the one and only King of Area Boys. This was ostensibly to counter the threat of Chief Adedibu’s local NURTW thugs in Ibadan . There was a measure of success here. On the other hand, Osun State has never been the same since the introduction and importation of Lagos Area Boys to Oshogbo to help the Ashiwaju’s boy, Rauf Aregbesola, again ostensibly to root out the inept and visionless government of the incumbent, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.  The fight still continues sporadically  in this state, since some of these Area Boys have now refused to go back to Lagos, and finding nothing else to do, are stirring up unrest all over the place.

I am not sure of the presence of Area Boys in Ekiti, Ondo and Ogun States but I would not be surprised if the Lagos imports did not operate there as well.

So, who should be talking about Area Boys? We now know. If you live in a glass house, you don’t throw stones, Ashiwaju. You are more culpable and guiltier of this misdemeanour than Obasanjo, which is all we are saying. Accuse Obasanjo of something else. Say something we have not heard before.

Mr Tinubu then offered to help Ibadan and Oyo State “Let me assure the Olubadan (Oba Odulana Odugade I) of the readiness of some of us to deliver the people of Ibadan in particular and Oyo State in general, from garrison politics. The era of negative publicity for the state will soon be a thing of the past.”

Well, at least he has very good intentions for the people of Ibadan and Oyo State . Thank you, Ashiwaju. We will be looking forward to busloads of Area Boys from Lagos in no distant future, to come and add to the already volatile situation of the state and the next thing you know, there will be a full scale to-the-death war between the Area Boys of Lagos and the NURTW thugs of Ibadan, with innocent citizens caught up in it. When the dust settles, you will go down in history as the Messiah of Ibadan.

This now brings me to the Ibadan Week organised by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, and to which Ashiwaju Tinubu was invited, I would think, as a Keynote Speaker. CCII, as they are known, is the umbrella group for all Ibadan cultural organisations worldwide. I should know this because I am from Ibadan and belong to an organisation (Oluyole Progressive Union, UK) which is registered with them. The very name of the CCII conjures up a very powerful image of an organisation consisting of the high and mighty of Ibadan people, well educated, influential, wealthy, politically relevant, and are movers and shakers of Ibadan . Incidentally, all these are true of the CCII.

However, when it came to tackling the problems of Ibadan and Oyo State , this is where all these appellations become irrelevant, null and void. While I still give them some iota of due respect, I am not able to forgive them for their cowardice in the face of truth and sincerity, as well as their damning, very loud silence, inability and unwillingness to resolve the political and social problems that has reduced their famous, native city to nothing more than a ridiculous, un-progressive, under-developed and violence-ridden outpost, constantly under siege by the internal enemies of the people and the scheming of the external aggressors.

I do not have the list of the CCII and the executives, but one thing I know is that I have many “Uncles”,” Aunties” and even ” Fathers” and “Mothers” there. You know what I mean by this. So I am really sorry if I have offended them, especially the well-meaning, but powerless ones there, however, the truth must be said. When I wrote about why Oyo State cannot and will not work recently, some of my “Uncles” and “Fathers” were aghast, and felt scandalised and demeaned, and contacted me to  express their  ire with me, but all I could tell them was to look deep inside themselves and tell me if I am wrong about the issues. Thankfully, they did not threaten me. They just called me “Omo buruku” (Bad boy), making light of the issues at stake, neither denying their culpability nor offering any apologies nor what they intend to do about trying to put things right. That tells you they are either deeply compromised or they are absolutely clueless or both.

One last thing. One thing that keeps confounding me is the inordinate ambition of people who have tasted just a little bit of power, then wanting to be something they are not. I am not against being ambitious, but there is a good thing about knowing your place. I am referring of course to State Commissioners and Ministers and minor party officials who fight vigorously to become Governors in their home states. Most of these were formerly nonentities elevated to their respective positions, having not been politically active or canvassed for political positions before in their life, and suddenly, they want to be Governors. A classic example is that of Lagos State in the recently concluded elections. Almost all of them, whether they served for four or eight years in Tinubu’s government as Commissioners, wanted to run for Governorship of Lagos State or another. Same thing with some Ministers in Obasanjo’s administration. After serving as Ministers, they then went back to their home states, wanting to be Governors, thereby heating up the polity. I am not against natural progression to be greater than what you are, and perhaps, help to move things forward, and afterall, as citizens of Nigeria, they have the right to be anything they want to be, but in Nigeria, the main reason for this is that once these officials taste power, they want to be in it forever, and in most cases, when they get there, they hardly do anything to justify their ambition.

Just wondering. Me and my curiosity.

Akintokunbo Adejumo, a social and political commentator on Nigerian issues, lives and works in London, UK .  He also writes on topical issues for newspapers and internet media including Nigeriaworld.com , Nigeria Today Online, Nigerians in America ,

Robot  Villager

# 1 Apart from the corruption of our political leaders, if there is one of their characteristics that...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 26.11.2007 15:13

ajis15  Villager

# 2 "I am not able to forgive them for their cowardice in the face of truth and sincerity, as well as their damning, very loud silence, inability and unwillingness to resolve the political and social problems that has reduced their famous, native city to nothing more than a ridiculous, un-progressive, under-developed and violence-ridden outpost, constantly under siege by the internal enemies of the people and the scheming of the external aggressors." Well is that not why you guys are called "Ibadan lomo o mo laipo" That is people full of politics of shenanigan. Not able to call a spade a spade, and stand firm and deliver. The cunny way of playing on both side of the fence. The fact that the likes of Adedibu can become the modern day "Bashorun Gaa" is a big indictment and sad commentary on the so called Ibadan elites. So so sad. Posted by ajis15| 26.11.2007 15:50

Adeola Aderounmu  Villager

# 3 This is a classic example of a kettle calling the pot black, and smacks of political shenanigan, as these things always do. Who exactly raised the profile of the “Area Boys” (a euphemism for social miscreants) in Nigeria , if I may ask? Was it not the same Tinubu, who shamelessly and publicly used these criminals – turned – political thugs, at government expense during his eight years rule in Lagos State and extended this social abuse to many other parts of the country? Yes, you are right. This is stating the obvious. Tinubu is a facilitator for Area Boys. He could use the phrase area boys with ease because it is in his mind and soul. Under Tinubu, Lagos was a disaster. What I saw last year in Lagos brought tears to my eyes. I cried for the only place I thought was home! I was told there were corpses on the streets and indeed I saw one along Apapa-Oshodi expressway. Sometimes you wonder what these stealing governors did for 8 years. I met Waffarian again today and she is still lamenting about her country home-Delta State. Ibori, Odili, Tinubu, Obasanjo and their likes are all the same. They should just return our monies before we finish compiling the enemy list. By the way, look at Lagos schools under Tinubu and his cousin, Fashola. Shameless people! Area boys! Posted by Adeola Aderounmu| 26.11.2007 16:06

olusola  Villager

# 4 I never cease to laugh any time I read about that impostor and Chicago rogue ,Bola Tinubu claiming to be a democrat. It always reminds me of one of those unserious moments of Obj when he claimed the PDP had metamophorsized from an election winning to an agenda setting party! Today, the debt profile of Lagos state government is intimidating. Much of this debt were contracted under Tinubu. For sure, just like Uduaghan and Ibori, Fashola is there to cover up the robbery that left Lagos a ravaged state for 8 years of Tinubu's reign. And come to think of it, what else could be expected from a gathering of the likes of Richard Akinjide and Tinubu? Posted by olusola| 26.11.2007 19:09

VOR  Villager

# 5 =olusola;2091823279>I never cease to laugh any time I read about that impostor and Chicago rogue ,Bola Tinubu claiming to be a democrat. It always reminds me of one of those unserious moments of Obj when he claimed the PDP had metamophorsized from an election winning to an agenda setting party! Today, the debt profile of Lagos state government is intimidating. Much of this debt were contracted under Tinubu. For sure, just like Uduaghan and Ibori, Fashola is there to cover up the robbery that left Lagos a ravaged state for 8 years of Tinubu's reign. And come to think of it, what else could be expected from a gathering of the likes of Richard Akinjide and Tinubu? Tinubu is more a democrat than your objoke. Objoke is more an imposter than Tinubu is, we knew of Tinubu during NADECO days - where was your Objoke then? cooling his heels in gulag, pretending to be a reformed born again Christain only to come out and wreck havoc on the polity for 8 years. :rolleyes: Ok the debt profile in Lagos is intimidating!! what do you expect when your hero-in-chief, obj witheld state allocation for years for no legitimate reasons other than sheer vindictiveness. Even ignoring court orders in the process. Lagos had to survive, what about other PDP controlled states that did not have their allocations witheld for years, what is their excuse for having a huge debt profile? Ogun state is paying 3billion in loan serving alone, yet we don't see what these loans have been taken for. And this governor is the one your commander-in-thief referred to as "the devil we know"!! Abeg comot make I see road jare. Tinubu is not perfect, he has his own faults but compared to the blood thirsty thieving miscreants you have/had as PDP governors...the man is a saint. Obasanjo ran Area Boy govt, says Tinubu....Calls for urgent review of revenue allocation formula Written by Ola Ajayi Monday, November 26, 2007 Former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu has called for urgent review of the revenue allocation formula and establishment of financial processes that would prevent corruption in the country. Tinubu, who was in Ibadan at a dinner hosted by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) at the weekend, also likened the presidency under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to social miscreants popularly called Area boys due to its disregard for the Rule of Law. http://odili.net/images/blank.gif He said that most of the programmes of the last administration did not have respect for the constitution, adding that the Excess Crude Account was aimed at rubbishing the Nigerian constitution. According to him, the Presidency, as a key player in the federal arrangement, acted the Area Boy for most of the eight years, leaving the incumbent administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua with the historic advantage of demonstrating the virtues of decency and respect for the Rule of Law. He added, “Nowhere does the Constitution allow the Presidency to keep any income of the Federation, including proceeds from the privatisation of public facilities, outside the Federation Account except as otherwise stated in Section 162 (1).” Tinubu explained that the call for the review of revenue allocation formula became necessary as the nation would soon go into the period of debate on the reforms needed in the amendment of the 1999 constitution. Speaking on the topic: The 1999 Constitution and the Search for True Federalism, he stressed the need for all the stakeholders to, “Raise the percentage that goes to the derivation principle from 13 per cent so that the people concerned can deal with the challenge of environmental pollution and degradation.” While the federating states should provide the Federal Government with resources to perform its constitutional functions, Senator Tinubu said it was an outright abuse of the federal principles and arrangement to use the resources generated by individual states to the disadvantage of those states. For a more united country, he said, “There is an urgent need for review of the revenue allocation formula, the strengthening of democratic institutions, a change of attitude towards the federal idea by our leaders and the establishment of financial control processes that would prevent corruption.” To wrench the country from anti-democratic tendencies, Tinubu vowed to use all legitimate and legal means to frustrate and expose the alleged fraudulent and criminal antics that the PDP-led government perpetrated during the last April polls. He added that based on the fraudulent way the PDP governors got victory in the last election, they should start packing their luggage and be ready to leave office after the ruling of the tribunals. Commending the Osun State tribunal for accepting the video tape that recorded the massive rigging in the state, he added that with the help of the technology, more of the abnormalities and daylight robbery allegedly perpetrated would be exposed. His words: “Technology is becoming very handy in the crusade. The decision of the election petitions tribunal in Osun State to admit the video tape recording of an election being rigged in broad daylight in the case filed by the Action Congress against the ruling PDP contesting the results of the election into the House of Representatives is a progressive step in the political litigation. “As more and more of these cases of electoral malfeasance are presented, the pretence of the ruling party to legitimacy will be increasingly exposed. Those who have stolen the mandate of the people in the April elections, particularly in the South-West must now realize the futility of their brigandage and should start packing their suitcases, ready to depart in shame,” he said. AMEN.......... AMIN Posted by VOR| 26.11.2007 20:23

Austyn O Azoganokhai  JJC

# 6 Tinubu will always remain a sham,scam and a dissapointment.This is a man who deceived Lagosians into believing that he was a progressive and a staunch follower of the ideals of Awolowo and Abiola.Lagos state was a disaster under Tinubu.Because of the 'everything is possible' kind of Democacy we have,the likes of Tinubu who ought to have since been sent to rot in jail for the mindless attrocities commited against Lagosians would still have the effontery to comment on national affairs and call OBJ names.Truth is,OBJ despite all his failures will always be a saint ahead of Tinubu.Tinubu should shut his mouth and hide his face in shame! Posted by Austyn O Azoganokhai| 27.11.2007 03:30

Sincere Brillow  Villager

# 7 Mr Akintokunbo Adejumo. Thank you for that interesting write up.The area boys menace more than anything else is threatning the fabric of collective existence of lagosians and nigerians in general and such deserve serious concern.It is one issue that takes center stage in my mind and i beleve in the minds of most lagosian.Enough stories. I however want to debunk your claim that the Bola Tinubu raised their profile.It might not be totally true.I dont know Tinubu from Adam.Neither do i work for him.It is might seems logical to see sense in what Tinubu said in Ibadan that ex-President Obasanjo presided over an “Area Boy” Presidency during his eight year rule in that the economy under his reign grew worse,His garrison approach to politics in an area boy manner compounded our problem and subsequently entrenched the area boy syndrome. You may also want to see his siezure of lagos state funds as an act that further made the area boy business lucrative.The state needed funds and employed those guys to extort money by fire by force.Of course, Tinubu may have used them to secure victory at the election. what then will you say of Obasanjo's Lagos Boy and Gubernatorial Candidate,Koro.You need to be there when Obasanjo came to Lagos to shore up support for him.It was an area boy carnival.Tinubu, i believe only did what anybody would have done.He needed to be friends to these boys to ensure obasanjo does not ''Tsunamialise'' lagos from his grip. What of the Channels debate.I was there at Shearaton.One of the moderators,Adesuwa Onyenokwe, had to ask KORO What he would to curb the area boys who can be best described as his boys.Would you say Adesuwa doesnt know what she is saying? We lagosians Know wats going on. I have had several brush with these guys.And from my understanding the problem is greater than a state governor.With an estimated figure of 5000 members and their leader riding a Hummer jeep declaring #50million Naira proceeds each day,what can a state governor do. The Area boy issue is one that require a federal intervention.A federal govt that recognises the significance of making the commercial nerve centre of the country will look beyound party attachment and take decisive action about those guys. Posted by Sincere Brillow| 27.11.2007 04:46

Sincere Brillow  Villager

# 8 Mr Akintokunbo Adejumo. Thank you for that interesting write up.The area boys menace more than anything else is threatning the fabric of collective existence of lagosians and nigerians in general and such deserve serious concern.It is one issue that takes center stage in my mind and i believe in the minds of most lagosian.Enough stories. I however want to debunk your claim that the Bola Tinubu raised their profile.It might not be totally true.I dont know Tinubu from Adam.Neither do i work for him.It is might seems logical to see sense in what Tinubu said in Ibadan that ex-President Obasanjo presided over an “Area Boy” Presidency during his eight year rule in that the economy under his reign grew worse,His garrison approach to politics in an area boy manner compounded our problem and subsequently entrenched the area boy syndrome. You may also want to see his siezure of lagos state funds as an act that further made the area boy business lucrative.The state needed funds and employed those guys to extort money by fire by force.Of course, Tinubu may have used them to secure victory at the election. what then will you say of Obasanjo's Lagos Boy and Gubernatorial Candidate,Koro.You need to be there when Obasanjo came to Lagos to shore up support for him.It was an area boy carnival.Tinubu, i believe only did what anybody would have done.He needed to be friends to these boys to ensure obasanjo does not ''Tsunamialise'' lagos from his grip. What of the Channels debate.I was there at Shearaton.One of the moderators,Adesuwa Onyenokwe, had to ask KORO What he would do to curb the area boys who can be best described as his boys.Would you say Adesuwa doesnt know what she is saying? We lagosians Know wats going on. I have had several brush with these guys.And from my understanding the problem is greater than a state governor.With an estimated figure of 5000 members and their leader riding a Hummer jeep declaring #50million Naira proceeds each day,what can a state governor do. The Area boy issue is one that require a federal intervention.A federal govt that recognises the significance of making the commercial nerve centre of the country will look beyound party attachment and take decisive action about those guys. Posted by Sincere Brillow| 27.11.2007 04:50

i-go-better  Villager

# 9 I stopped reading after just two paragraphs. You narrowly interpreted his use of "Area boy" to describe Obj's presidency. So, since the premise of your arguement is wrong, the conclusion therefore would be wrong. Area boyism in Lagos was born during Kalakuta Republic of the Great Fela Kuti(my man anyday). But let's accept your insinuation that Tinubu is their Master for the sake of argument and then ask you a genuine question. If you were in Tinubu's shoes, your brother governors territories have suffered political Tsunami (PDP coinage remember) from a merciless collective Federal Might and the only weapon left for you to survive the unslaught is the recruitment/rehabilitation of your "Area boys", would you think twice before employing their services? I wouldn't. Tinubu at least played a very active part in NADECO and so deserves something from the outcome of the struggle which is our present "democracy". Obj did not see any messiah in MKO and collaterally in NADECO. However, I belive Tinubu did not perform well as Governor. Posted by i-go-better| 27.11.2007 05:03

ukor  JJC

# 10 It gonna most unfortunate if the Yoruba elite allows this brigand (Mr Tinubu) to be their Ashiwaju. There are more educated people than this ruffian for than position. Posted by ukor| 28.11.2007 05:25

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