My dear Asiwaju, today marks your 60th
birthday on this putrid plane. There is every need to give thanks to almighty
Allah for his care, concern, guidance, and love over you and your family. Since
Mama Abibatu Mogaji, our symbol of women activism, introduced you to me for
over three decades ago, you have greatly impressed me with your ebullient
lifestyle, peculiar politics of convictions, and above all, your strong
determination to make the country effectively governed through your management
of human and material resources.
As the years go by, you have
continued to show a stronger zeal and determination to make democracy grow by
providing alternative platform to engage the ruling party. Your role as an
opposition party chieftain and player has remained essential enthralling and
significantly illustrative of your human capacity to make things happen. Those
kind words of mama Abibatu Mogaji at our first meeting keep echoing in my
innermost self, reminding me of the saying that those who succeed in life are those
who stoop to conquer. You have remained a strong voice from the south west,
reminding all of us of the politics of the second republic when Chief Obafemi
Awolowo called the shots and gave voice to the voiceless majority..
I am kind of imagining how it would
have been, if your group had not created the opposition Action Congress of
Nigeria, to provide a platform to other Nigerians who are not in agreement with
the PDP’s exclusive politics. You are not only doing the country a great deal
of good, you are creating a political ideology that is driven by convictions to
make democracy more attractive to the discerning and ordinary minds. I am
further impressed by your clear cut resolve to insist that politics cannot be
played as a zero-sum game in such a manner that may plunge the country into one
party state. Your style might not be agreeable to everyone, but the message and
end product of your struggles and political exploits, leave very positive
landmarks for this and unborn generations.
Words alone may not not convey
my commendable impressions about you, but at this wonderful celebration of
three scores on earth, it is my onerous prayers that Allah will give you
stronger and more eventful years ahead in service to our fatherland…
~IBB
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