Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
“Ambition is like hunger; it obeys no law except its own appetite.”– Josh Billings
Osinbajo’s declaration of presidential ambition appears to be raising moral questions about his decision to run, despite the knowledge that his former boss, Bola Tinubu, is interested in the seat. The former Leadership publisher Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah had faced the same criticisms from General Buhari’s loyalists who questioned the morality of Sam contesting the party presidential primaries with his own guardian and father.
Osinbajo is facing the same moral dilemma: a choice between exercising his constitutional right and allegiance to his former boss, Tinubu, under whom Osinbajo had served as Attorney General. After months of reflections and hesitations, Osinbajo has finally taken the plunge by throwing his hat into the ring. It’s a bold and audacious decision.
Related Posts
It’s however unrealistic to apply morality arguments to political choices. We shouldn’t take these arguments too far to a point that we sacrifice merit on the altar of vacuous emotional logic. Our politics is inherently treacherous. Politics is a deadly game. When General Buhari challenged Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s election in court, Sheikh Gummi criticised Buhari for dragging his own Muslim brother to court instead of conceding defeat. General Buhari was exercising his constitutional right to seek redress in court, but our own sentiments won’t let us look at the issue fairly. The same sentiments may be used against Osinbajo for daring to contest against Tinubu.
I know of a politician who spent millions to have his own in-law defeated at the primaries. When he was told that his action was distasteful, he reminded them that such was the nature of politics–perfidy. Let’s be careful of bringing moral arguments into our hard ball politics. If it’s convenient, a politician can throw his own brother under the bus to achieve the cause. Our politics is a case of dog-eat-dog situation. When the political gloves are off, victory is more important than morality logic. That’s the reality. Let Osinbajo try his luck. He knows very well that Tinubu is not in the ring for the fun of it, or for sake of publicity.
