Tinubu’s Political Loyalty: A Legacy Many Benefited From, Few Reciprocated

 

 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has long been recognized as a political architect whose influence helped shape modern Nigerian democracy. From the dawn of the Fourth Republic, he threw his weight behind some of the most prominent presidential candidates Nigeria has seen. But as Tinubu now leads the country, the political loyalty he once extended is not being returned in kind.

In 1999, Tinubu backed Olu Falae, standing firm for a southern presidency after years of military rule. By 2003, he supported then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, working behind the scenes to ensure the Southwest maintained relevance in national politics.

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His political foresight continued in 2007 when he aligned with Atiku Abubakar, and in 2011, with Nuhu Ribadu both seen as reformist figures at the time. But it was in 2015 and 2019 that Tinubu played one of his most influential roles, helping to engineer the victory of Muhammadu Buhari through the historic APC merger, ending PDP’s 16-year grip on power.

Today, many of these figures have gone silent. In Tinubu’s time of need when he ran for the presidency in 2023 several of his past political allies were either absent, indifferent, or aligned elsewhere. This has led to discussions in political circles about the nature of loyalty in Nigerian politics.

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Still, Tinubu has chosen not to dwell on past allegiances. Instead, he focuses on his agenda: economic reforms, job creation, security, and strengthening Nigeria’s institutions. He remains committed to nation-building over political grudges.

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Tinubu’s journey is a reminder that true leadership often involves sacrifice. While political loyalty may fade, integrity and legacy endure. Whether or not former allies return the favor, President Tinubu’s contributions to Nigerian democracy are deeply etched in the country’s political history.

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As Nigeria looks ahead, his resilience and focus may become the blueprint for future leaders navigating the ever-complex corridors of power.