The Wisdom of Chief Ayo Adebanjo

I have been following the writing and speeches of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the 94-year old leader of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba cultural organization. As you read him, you see consistency, philosophical fairness, equity and justice. He does not twist things because it would favour the other side of the aisle; I admire his leadership. Take time to read his work, you will see a huge ideological gap between our modern “leaders” and those of Chief Adebanjo’s generation.

His commentary on rotational presidency is right on the money. Everything in Nigeria is based on quota, from university admissions to public sector jobs. Using the system, Nigeria builds fairness to bring everyone together and everyone accepts that constant. And if that is the case, the presidency should also be rotated as that is the quota system for politics.

But where Nigeria cannot adhere to rotational presidency, we must disband the federal character commission (the bureaucracy which manages our quota system) and follow MERIT in every aspect of our system!

Chief Adebanjo is thoughtful, fair and speaks with the wisdom of someone who does not need anything from anybody. I support his thesis because he has been consistent. #leader

Comment on LinkedIn Feed

Comment 1: Sir, there is nothing consistent, fair or equitable about him. He is Tinubu’s sworn enemy and will do everything possible to truncate Tinubu’s chance come 2023. Yes, Tinubu is not the only aspirant from the Southwest in APC but he has a better chance in the party than any other candidates. As for Baba Adebanjo, his comments on the coming 2023 elections are not enough to depict his consistency, philosophy and his leadership style. His political trajectories from his inception into Nigeria politics would better tell more about his leadership and political style than his recent comments on the coming 2023 elections.

Comment to #1: The silent reason Ndubuisi Ekekwe likes him is because of his support for Igbo presidency. Some times Prof. will canvass for a capable president regardless of tribe, sometimes he’ll let out the cat in the bag and clamour for Igbo Presidency. The truth is, his clamour for the latter is always louder than the former, so we know his true stance on the matter ??…but for me I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if the person that will provide the kind of leadership Nigeria needs is a Cameroonian we had better go get him fast, because in the end, suffering and poverty knows no tribe. The Fulanis have ruled longer than any other tribe in Nigeria but unfortunately hunger, poverty and illiteracy seem to have built its headquarter in the zone for decades without any plan to relocate.

My Comment to above: His stance on Igbo presidency is not the main issue. Everyone here knows that I support the Igbo presidency because Nigeria is a quota-based country and we have to take it all the way to any level. My admiration of Chief is deep. Check his comments on Nnamdi Kalu, Igbolo, bombing of Orlu, Udi, etc. He speaks in a nuanced way.

If Owerri boys had attached NDA Kaduna, Nigeria would have bombed all forests in Owerri. But it happened, nothing happened. If Nnewi boys have attached trains, Nigeria would have bombed that area. But in Kaduna, nothing happened. Chief points these things out and he is consistent and connects it to how Obasanjo (his kinsman) visited Udi people with hell. I admire that consistency because he does not spare anyone.

Comment #2: He’s been magnificent in his responses to burning national issues.
How desperately Nigeria needs many Pa Adebanjos across the geo political zones and in this critical period of our history, who speak truth to power and without fear or favour!

Comment #3: Pa Ayo Adebanjo is quintessential at his age and still manages his sophistication and oratory with depth. Our nation needs elders of his kind to tell truth to power consistently. He’s been doing a great job since Independence till date. The nation is drifting away without the practice of Federal Character in the zoning and rotation of the Presidency, and sundry national appointments and the social contract entered with Citizens.

Comment 4: What seems to be prevalent in Nigeria’s political space is the art of constantly flipping the argument whenever you want something, or want to retain what is already within your orbit.

We can do all manner of intellectual acrobatics and gymnastics, but if we are not ready to throw everything open, we must endeavour to do same in our political leadership.

You don’t argue because you have the numbers to win election – you demand that everything should be thrown open, but when it gets to competing for employment, admission or scholarship, you suddenly realize that you are hugely disadvantaged, it makes your argument weak and ignoble. If you believe you can compete, be ready to compete in all facets!

Again, whether you are highly or lowly educated, you must learn to frown at bad behaviours, whenever they pop up. If you abuse the your advantage in the areas where you are formidable, would you expect a fair treatment in the areas where you are weak and unrecognizable?

The concept of justice can save you from a lot of troubles, but once you undermine it, your days will be chaotic and miserable; something to seriously think about.

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