Why Tinubu Is Keeping Mum On Southwest's Herdsmen

There are many controversies about the presidential ambition of the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. But he himself has cleared the air, saying it is too early to talk about 2023.

Although Tinubu’s reaction to claims about his presidential ambition is yet unclear, Nigerians are fond of calling him out when issues arise. Tinubu too, often plays the politics from both sides. He would rather take his time to respond to developing issues or not comment at all.

He often tries to remain neutral so he can win audience and supporters from both sides. This could be one of his political strategies towards his 2023 presidential ambition as suggested by some persons.

On the growing herdsmen crisis in the Southwest -- a matter very close to his geographical domain -- Tinubu has been called out by some prominent Yoruba figures such as the rights activist, Sunday Igboho, when he said, “Tinubu and other Yoruba politicians are Fulani slaves. We need not be afraid. I have not collected any money from anyone. I am a full Yoruba man and I will not allow Fulani people to enslave me, we do not look or behave alike in any way. The herders should go.”

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Also joining to prod Tinubu is the Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo. Adebanjo had alleged that Tinubu is not commenting on the issue because he doesn't want to offend President Muhammadu Buhari so he can gain his support for the 2023 Presidential ambition.

“He didn’t say anything that will oppose Buhari because he is thinking Buhari will make him the president," Adebanjo told The Punch in an interview. "So, he doesn’t want to say anything to offend him. Amongst all the governors he sponsored, Akeredolu has the courage that it is the people of the western region that they are serving.”

Tinubu is a Yoruba man and the Yorubas have a conflict-filled history with the Fulanis. But Tinubu is also a major founder of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which is largely an amalgamation of parties from the two tribes. This may make commenting of recent conflicts between the two tribes difficult for the APC's National leader.

This is not the first time the APC stalwart is keeping mum on growing tension between Nigerians and the Buhari-led Federal Government. He did not comment on the #EndSARS protests until protesters were shot and he was alleged to have masterminded the shooting. Speaking later on Channels TV, he said some persons were telling the president that he was sponsoring the #EndSARS protests and that he was still being accused of masterminding the shooting.

Also, on the establishment of the South West Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, Tinubu did not give his comment until there were dissenting voices from both the FG, the northern region and the southwestern people.

When he eventually made a comment, Tinubu took no sides. He talked in favour of both sides and pushed for common ground.

“Those claiming that this limited, inoffensive addition to security threatens the Republic have taken themselves upon a madcap excursion," he said.

“Those claiming that the Federal Government seeks to terribly suppress the Southwest have also lost their compass. Those who occupy these two extremes have sunken into the dark recesses of fear and political paranoia that can undo a nation if such sentiments are allowed to gestate”.

Thus, the former Lagos State governor has adopted the slow tactic in responding to national issues during Buhari’s administration. He has neither been here nor there and he may continue this way as long as he remains a stalwart in the ruling party irrespective of the backlash.