Otoge: How Tinubu kicked-out Ashafa brought in certified thug for wife to rank in Senate
By Dabira Olorunfemi
I have read tons of uninformed, jaundiced defence from the camp of those who prefer the status-quo of mass looting and mediocrity to remain. One of the well circulated lies is that Tinubu has a knack for identifying great talents and gives them opportunity to thrive.
That cannot be true in view of Tinubu’s choice for Lagos East senatorial district. The incumbent, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, is a proven technocrat and former Permanent Secretary in Land Ministry in Lagos.
But, Tinubu for his selfish end, threw out the Ibeju-Lekki born lawmaker and brought in a crass illiterate and certified thug, Bayo Osinowo (AKA Pepperito) who did practically nothing in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2003, to relief Ashafa.
Olorunnibe Mamora, the predecessor of Ashafa was a capable and competent man but Tinubu cut him down because he (Mamora) supported the then Governor now Minister for Power , Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola when the ruthless godfather wanted to deny him second term despite performing beyond expectations.
When he could not have his way, he clamped down on Mamora and few others friends and supporters of Fashola.
The people of the district didn’t complain much because they knew Ashafa was another competent and well-exposed candidate who will advanced the cause of the senatorial district.
But that of Osinowo is, no doubt, retrogression. Great leaders don’t sacrifice merit and capacity on mundane considerations especially for serious positions.
What track records does Osinowo have to flaunt in his 12 years stint at the Lagos Assembly, for Tinubu to give him promotion to the Senate, just to warm chair.
Osinowo was perpetually in charge of lucrative Lands Committee of the House and cruises around in a Bentley. He coerces members to do Tinubu’s inordinate biddings.
Osinowo also collects Lion’s share of the monthly N950million running cost of the Assembly.
This writer gathered from reliable sources that Tinubu kicked out Ashafa who got elected into the senate at the same time with his wife, Oluremi Tinubu in order to pave way for her to rank as the most senior senator from Lagos State ostensibly positioning her for Deputy Senate position.
That is the true character of the emperor in Bourdillon that many are unaware of or are hypocritical about. He does not care about quality representation for the Lagos East, a burgeoning industry hub where free trade zone and the biggest private refinery in Africa are located.
Such district deserves the best and not a man who cannot express himself fluently in English without monumental blunders. This is not the first time Tinubu acted such irrationally.
Tinubu had once made his personal fashion designer, Bagostowe, chairman of Somolu Local Government.
Lagosians are tired of this self-serving leadership and are eager yearning for #Otoge Lagos.
*Olorunfemi writes from Lagos
