National leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday returned to a heroic welcome after three months of absence, following a successful knee surgery in the United States of America, USA.
To signal his return to active politics, Tinubu declared, “I am back and better.”
Earlier, a grand reception/rally planned for him by his political associates at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos Island was cancelled on his request in sympathy with the families of those, who lost their loved ones in the Associated Airline plane crash last week in Lagos.
Hundreds of well wishers, including party leaders, members of the National Assembly from Lagos State, local government chairmen, friends, party members, market men and women, amidst tight security, converged on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to receive Tinubu.
The jet that brought the APC leader touched down at the Executive Jet terminal of the airport around 1:30pm.
On arrival, Tinubu, decked in a white caftan and his blue trademark cap to match, was received by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Iyaloja General of Lagos Market Men and Women, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo.
The former Lagos governor, who bemoaned his long absence from home, which he said is the longest after his years of self-imposed exile during military dictatorship in the country, said he felt good returning back to the motherland.
Commenting on the registration of All Progressive Congress, APC, as a party, Tinubu, who was abroad tending to his health when registration was granted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, expressed appreciation that the registration pulled through even in his absence just as he assured that the party is on a mission to save Nigeria and re-write the political history of governance in the country.
On the 13-man Advisory Committee announced by President Goodluck Jonathan for the convocation of a national dialogue/conference, Tinubu wondered why the move came suddenly ahead of the 2015 elections, saying, “How do you develop the agenda? It’s a diversionary tactic.
“How long have we been talking about this? Why suddenly? Now there is something in political and social history. They say we have Greek gift. Two crumbs of poison that will survive the trappings of the onus. Let us first of all ask ourselves some questions, I am yet to consult with my party, but I see a contradiction here. I see a diversion here, I see deception here, I see lack of honesty and integrity here, I see a state of a sinking ship that needs no raft any longer; allow it to sink, build a new life, move the nation forward.
“I will consult with the party leaders and we will look at the agenda and develop our own agenda along it.
“But Nigeria is divisive now. Why is this coming a few months before the elections? Can’t you smell a good soup when it is passing? It is left for our party and all of us. I am a democrat.
“This is a president that said it was unnecessary to have a Sovereign National Conference because the sovereignty is in the National Assembly; that was his belief then, now he says it is okay.”
He should go back abroad and treat himself properly Nigeria need this confab like blood.